What to Learn, Where to Learn. Week 6

The environment that we teach our students in will contribute largely to how they react to what we are trying to teach them. The environment can be physical, which could include the way the desks are arranged, or furniture placement in the room, even where the teacher stands to teach, or sits at their desk. The other aspect of the classroom environment has to do with the way the teacher makes students feel. The actions of the teacher will also determine the environment of the classroom.

The emotional environment that I want to create for my students is one where they feel welcome, a place where they can explore, and engage in things that interest them. I want my students to always feel like they can approach me with an issue, whether it's a problem in the classroom or an issue in their home life.

It is so important to me that anyone who enters my classroom feels safe, and free of judgement. 

As for the physical environment, I am really looking forward to making my classroom and exciting place to be. I would love to have lots of colours, and interesting things to make student learning exciting and engaging. Below are some pictures that I would like to incorporate into my classroom if I get the opportunity.

A reading corner!

Curriculum themed displays.

I also think a change in environment is really important to keep students interested. Taking them outside is an inexpensive way to maintain interest on the school grounds. Reading outside, or exploring outside for science is a perfect excuse. 

Going outside can also be used as a reward for good behaviour.

Nature inspires children, and gets them in touch with the world around them. Giving students time outside is more important than any fancy classroom set up, but giving students the choice to read under a tree, or a nicely set up reading corner helps teachers to allow for different learning styles, and multiple intelligences. 

The environments that we create, emotionally and physically, for our students,, has too large of an impact on their well being and learning, for us to put just a moments thought into what aspects we include when we design a classroom. We need to take in how we want them to feel, as well as how they learn, so that we can create an environment where students can flourish.