Empathize
The space I chose to redesign for this project is my new classroom. I am changing school districts so while the class itself is not new, it's new to me! This space will be used by myself, my 25+ students, and possibly a paraprofessional at times. Currently it's bare bones and I'm just working on getting my library squared away before really thinking about the layout of the rest of the room.
This classroom is relatively square in shape with one wall of windows with an HVAC unit. I love that I have so many windows and that they look in on our school's courtyard which includes a fountain and gathering area surrounded by plenty of plants! The back wall is currently two blackboards, a white board, and a small bulletin board. The front wall is a SmartBoard and two bulletin boards which basically leads everything to the front of the classroom during instruction.
This set up typically limits the way students can face at their desks during whole group time. The last wall has a small counter with a sink and some cupboards as well as a closet near the door. Students will be sitting at trapezoid-shaped tables that are put two together to form a hexagon. These hexagons create small groups of 5-6 students and are spaced around the "back" of the room. This idea of factory-like design in schools is not new... but why can't it change?
This classroom is relatively square in shape with one wall of windows with an HVAC unit. I love that I have so many windows and that they look in on our school's courtyard which includes a fountain and gathering area surrounded by plenty of plants! The back wall is currently two blackboards, a white board, and a small bulletin board. The front wall is a SmartBoard and two bulletin boards which basically leads everything to the front of the classroom during instruction.
This set up typically limits the way students can face at their desks during whole group time. The last wall has a small counter with a sink and some cupboards as well as a closet near the door. Students will be sitting at trapezoid-shaped tables that are put two together to form a hexagon. These hexagons create small groups of 5-6 students and are spaced around the "back" of the room. This idea of factory-like design in schools is not new... but why can't it change?
Define
In an ideal teaching space I imagine a group meeting area for whole group meetings and instruction and the rest of the room designated for student choice. By this I mean spaces that students can choose to do their work. Therefore I designated the group area toward the front of the room near the SmartBoard since that is where most instruction takes place. Various seating choices are then in the back of the classroom (couch, comfy chairs, standing desks, standing table, large circle table, pillows, etc.)
These new spaces would change the context for teaching to be more student driven. Because of this students would feel more comfortable due to their seating choices and surroundings. This would lead to student confidence in their learning.
Below is an aerial view of the classroom that I redesigned.
These new spaces would change the context for teaching to be more student driven. Because of this students would feel more comfortable due to their seating choices and surroundings. This would lead to student confidence in their learning.
Below is an aerial view of the classroom that I redesigned.
Ideate
When I first began thinking about how I could restructure the space if there were no limitations I thought about how I'm going to set it up in real life. Along the window wall there is a ledge that is just high enough for my bookshelves to sit under them. I thought, why not make "built-in" bookshelves? These would house the classroom library, center bins and activities, text books, dictionaries, and maybe even some teacher small group supplies. Currently there is an outlet strip on this wall, so perhaps having outlets on the top of the bookshelves would solve the problem of losing that strip with built in shelves.
Following this I recalled my previous classrooms where I found having a large counter was advantageous. This classroom has about a four foot counter, including the sink, and the cabinets are not quite to the ceiling. I then went about building upper and lower cabinets with a long counter. As I was typing this post I realized this counter might be the perfect technology center for an Chromebooks or iPads that might be used. I took out a section of lower cupboards to create a counter that students could sit at comfortably.
Then I got thinking about my teacher carpet that I just got (and am super excited about.) I began wondering how I could make that same concept of an area to meet as a class more improved. I thought back to my time in choir in high school when we would sit on risers. This led me to creating the colored risers (like a rug) and a pit. This area would also double as possible work space for students during independent instruction. Of course the risers needed railings to keep students safe from falling. I would imagine this pit would also become a favorite working spot of students who work best with pillows. I know I would've loved this as a student!
Standing tables and desks, a couch and chair, as well as the circular table round out the other seating options. Ideally an interactive projector could be used on a regular whiteboard at the front of the room which would double the use of that space. I love bulletin boards so I got rid of the chalkboards/whiteboard at the back of the room and switched it out with a large bulletin board.
Aesthetically the walls I chose to keep a light blue on the window and door walls as it's a calming color. I then changed the floor from a blue carpet to laminate wood option and finished it off with some shiplap paneling on front and back walls. The calm cool colors I use naturally anyway, and was very happy to read in one of our articles this week that those are best for elementary students!
Aesthetically the walls I chose to keep a light blue on the window and door walls as it's a calming color. I then changed the floor from a blue carpet to laminate wood option and finished it off with some shiplap paneling on front and back walls. The calm cool colors I use naturally anyway, and was very happy to read in one of our articles this week that those are best for elementary students!
Le, Trung (2010, April). Redesigning education: rethinking the school corridor. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1598539/redesigning-education-rethinking-school-corridor.