Classroom Layout & Teacher Radar
One of the more difficult skills for new teachers is a clear sense of what is happening in the classroom at all times. It is no fault of their own, it takes time to not only master the content they are expected to teach but also how to simultaneously check for understanding and engagement. In this chapter, we will explore how the physical layout of your classroom factors into student engagement and look at strategies to help you better recognize what is happening in your classroom at all times.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe how the physical learning environment influences student learning.
- Circulate the room and scan for off-task behavior.
Classroom Layout*
Viewed broadly, classrooms may seem to be arranged in similar ways, but there are actually important alternative arrangements to consider. Variations exist because of grade level, the subjects taught, the teacher’s philosophy of education, and of course the size of the room and the furniture available. The “best” arrangement depends on what your students need and on the kind of teaching that you prefer and feel able to provide (Boyner, 2003; Nations & Boyett, 2002). Whatever the arrangement that you choose, it should help students to focus on learning tasks as much as possible and minimize the chances of distractions.
Listen to two HS teachers discuss how desk placement plays a role in classroom management
Displays and wall space
All classrooms have walls, of course, and how you fill them can affect the mood or feeling of a classroom. Ample displays make a room interesting and can be used to reinforce curriculum goals and display (and hence publicly recognize) students’ work. But too many displays can also make a room seem “busy” or distracting as well as physically smaller. They can also be more work to maintain. If you are starting a new school year, then, a good strategy is to decorate some of the walls or bulletin board space, but not to fill it all immediately. Leaving some space open leaves flexibility to respond to ideas and curriculum needs that emerge after the year is underway. The same advice applies especially to displays that are high maintenance, such as aquariums, pets, and plants. These can serve wonderfully as learning aids, but do not have to be in place on the first day of school. Another option to consider is how you might use wall space to engage students during class. Consider how Lisa Wheeler uses vertical spaces to activate student thinking during class (bonus: Mrs. Wheeler also shares tips on how to assign students to groups).
Learn More: Effective Classroom Arrangement
Check out the Effective Room Arrangement: Elementary or Effective Room Arrangement: Middle & High School packets by the Iris Center. These resources do a great job of summarizing what researchers have found about how the physical learning environment impacts learning. There are also case studies included which offer a g