A Glimpse of My Future Classroom

my future classroom.

"Along with child and teacher, the environment in which we learn plays a role as third teacher."

I am a strong believer that the environment and space that children are in are just as important as anything else. This is the place where children will spend more time at than at home in some cases. We need to ensure that space is comfortable, inviting and inclusive to our students. My classroom design is intentional in each piece and format--all with the student and their success and joy in the classroom.

Outdoor Space

This would be an ideal entrance for my classroom. On the right, students would see pictures of them and their families. I want to celebrate and make sure that students feel like this is their classroom and that their families are just as valuable. It would also provide comfort to students to have a part of them and their life outside of school. To the left of the door, students would have their mailboxes. This would be where they would put different things to take home, as well as things from me. Above the mailboxes is a chalk board-it would include a positive message greeting the students.

This is the locker/cubby area for students. Each student would have their own space to put their stuff in the morning. Something that I also really value is student work--their work and creations would be above the cubbies. It gives them more of a sense of space.

This would be our meeting space. This would be a space for whole-group lessons, mini-lessons, read-alouds and community building. I intentionally creating comfortable seating and benches for students to have a choice of where to sit. The lamp is to add a 'home' feeling to the space. I also included a bookshelf for easy access to books to read to the students--this is important to start my everyday.

Here I have a potential teacher spot. I am not a fan of the traditional desk that is in the back of a room and back to students. I like the angle this provides because it allows for a better visual to see students. Artwork that I had would be intentional in it's placing as well.

This table and the bean bag chairs would be a place for students to play. In front of the table is a few shelves with access to different toys and board games. This would be a place that students could sit and play.

Something that I really value and want to provide students with is a place to comfortably read. I want to have a literacy-rich classroom and providing a place for students to read like this would hope to only encourage that. I want reading to be something that is enjoyable and I believe that the way an environment is provided in regards to that can make an impact. I provided comfortable seating and string lights to emphasize that. Similarly, books would be readily available to students and not leveled.

Another thing that is important for students to have is a builders and makers space. This space would allow for students to observe and make different structures, or to experiment with different liquids and objects. This area would provide that hands-on learning for students. I also value big windows for students to look out and be inspired by, as well as the natural light!

Something that I really value and want to provide students with a place to be artists. I want to encourage them in all ways to see themselves in that way. I encourage all students to create. I see all my students as artists in their own unique ways and want to make sure to provide a space to do that. Materials would be easily accessible to students and I would provide provocations for students to think about from time to time.

This is what I would envision the classroom space for students to be set up. I do not like the feeling of desks lined up in a row; it is too closed off. I love the idea of collaboration! I think tables like this provide for more of that to happen! Each table also has an end space that would include supplies they have! I also really like the lighting because it is not as stark as traditional lights for students!

If possible, I would love to have an outdoor space for students. It would be different than the playground space that a school has. I believe that access to hands-on opportunities like this provides so much more in-depth learning than any textbook ever could! Let's get the learning in kids hands! I would love to have birdhouses for students to study all sorts of information and content on that, as well as other living animals. It would be awesome to also have a picnic table for students to snack or to just rest!

Along with rich-learning experiences, I would like to provide a place for outdoor lessons. I believe a set up like this, with outdoor cushions and benches, would allow that to continue to happen. I think that having and growing our own plants as a class would open up so many questions and inquiries as well.

The outdoor space is also a great place for students to play and interact with water and sand.

I think that some of the greatest beauties in life are things that are outside. I would love to provide easels and supplies for students to paint or color the things that they see.