The Importance of Classroom Environment

Offered below is a layout for a third-grade classroom which includes three learning centers, a variety of
seating choices, numerous work areas, and ease of movement in support of collaboration. No longer
arranged in rows, student desks are pushed together in groups of six, referred to as “tables”. Students
at each desk grouping choose a team name for themselves and create a sign with this name which hangs
over their area. Then, the whole class select a classroom mascot. The creates a sense of bonding,
inclusion, and community amongst classmates.

Creating a supportive, trusting classroom environment is top priority from day one. Students must know
that their classroom is a safe place to share ideas, venture guesses, and make mistakes without fear of
criticism.

The classroom layout supports this student collaboration, with plenty of room for working in groups or
with partners. Students also have their own desks for independent work. Students work collaboratively
in flexible groups throughout the year, according to a student’s growth and needs.

Working in pairs or in groups is less intimidating for most students, freeing them up to share more
easily. Student discussions also engages students in critical thinking.

When students are included in decision making, and they feel their input is valued, they become more
invested in their classroom. Students are empowered by a sense of responsibility, and problem
behavior declines. This is very important in helping them feel like they are partners in their own
education.

Consider the common interruption of a pencil being sharpened during class. This nuisance is eliminated
when the children always have access to sharpened pencils, as needed throughout the day. This
classroom has an electric pencil sharpener in the back of the room, with two cans next to it: one with
sharpened pencils, and another with dull pencils waiting to be sharpened. At the end of the day, while
students are cleaning up, the pencils are sharpened all at once.

Other classroom supplies are also available to students throughout the day, as needed. The designated
areas for supplies offer students lined paper, crayons, markers, scissors, tape, glue, etc., in clearly
marked containers. These supplies are collected at the beginning of the year and set out for student
usage.

Also available to students are a container of white boards, and a basket of clipboards. These allow
students to work in groups around the room, often on the carpet, without the need for a table to write
on.

Any walls or partitions that separate areas of the classroom shall be no taller than three feet high. This
will allow the teacher to have eyes on all areas of the classroom. If the teacher needs to redirect a
student’s attention or walk over to an area that is getting too loud, this is possible as every area is
visible. Students can also be encouraged by positive feedback of desired behavior. Again, knowing
what’s going on in the classroom allows a teacher to be proactive, and prevent disruptive behavior.
At the beginning of the school year the teacher spends a significant amount of time repeatedly
establishing the rules and policies for classroom behavior. Students take ownership of their classroom,
getting supplies for themselves as needed, returning the classroom to order at the end of the day.

The teacher explains the rules and expectations clearly and repeatedly, until the classroom policies
become routine. Students learn that transitions between activities will be quiet and orderly because the
expectations have been established from the first day and reinforced throughout the year.

This classroom design offers three learning centers: a reading center, a computer center, and a math
and science learning center. These are available as further reference tools for the students.

The reading center offers students a wide variety of books, in many genres, at various reading levels.
Books line the shelves surrounding the comfortable chairs offered in this area. The top shelf offers books
from the school library, changed out every week. This keeps student interest fresh, encouraging
students to venture into the reading center.

There’s also a classroom computer center, offering five computer screens for reference and writing
purposes. These computers are available to students as needed throughout the day. If further rules or
policies become necessary to insure proper use of the computers, students will be asked to come up
with the rules and guidelines themselves and post them above the screens.

The third center offers math manipulatives, and scientific tools and equipment for student usage. There
is a microscope with prepared slides, a magnifying glass, a basket filled with possible experiments or
activities, a variety of math manipulatives, reference books and other suggested projects. There area
also encourages students to explore and investigate items from nature, such as rocks and fossils, a paper
wasp’s nest, a shark tooth, etc.

These learning centers encourage student usage. They offer tools, reference materials, and a basket of
suggested activities to support their curiosity. Materials should be frequently refreshed, maintaining
student interest. Students know how to use this equipment and maintain these centers properly, just as
they respect all classroom policies.

The teacher can access students at their individual desks for further support, assistance, or assessment.
The teacher can also meet with guided groups of students who need further support at the curved
tables in the classroom.

Student projects and art are continuously displayed on the classroom and hallway walls. Anchor charts,
supporting educational materials lessons are hung on the walls throughout the room. Their will also be
empty spaces on the walls, to offer a visual respite for thinking minds.

Students become very familiar with what is expected of them, including how they enter the classroom,
how they move to the carpet for the morning meeting, and how they clean up at the end of the day.
When they come back from lunch, music, P.E., art, etc., the students quietly line up outside the
classroom door until they are welcomed back in at the door by their teacher. This allows the teacher to
touch base with each student, face to face, throughout the day, informing the teacher which students
may be having a difficult day.
Smart Boards have now replaced chalk boards in the classroom. The Smart Board is a computer screen,
an electronic chalkboard, a video projector, etc. The use of this tool is endless and makes this a valuable
improvement to today’s classroom.

Consider a new classroom layout for a fresh approach to encourage student participation and
collaboration.
Further Information and Resources

1. This link offers an extensive checklist of what an excellent classroom should have.

https://www.childrenslearninginstitute.org/media/99077/cecdraft_61716.pdf

2. This site discusses the importance of classroom environments on children.

http://www.easternct.edu/cece/classroom-environment/

3. This site discusses the importance of an enriched environment to awaken the senses and stimulate
learning.

www.ok.gov/octp/documents/Classroom%20Environment%201.pdf

4. This article suggests creating a classroom code of conduct to introduce respect, kindness, and
empathy to the classroom environment.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/Seven-Strategies-for-
Building-Positive-Classrooms.aspx