Becoming Familiar With Floorplanning
Here is a general overview of how to create engaging and choice-rich environments for students. I was first not aware of how the environment can alter the thinking of the students but this article helped me better understand how to create them and the types of choices which should be allowed.
The Thought Process
There are different ways for a teacher to create a floorplan centered around the students. Simple tools such as thinking about a classroom from the perspective of the child can make a teacher more aware of all the needs of the students as a whole group, which can later promote learning on an individual level.
The button below leads to a blog post about how teachers can think about their learning spaces, by offering 10 useful questions teachers can ask themselves to make sure their floorplans are catered to the learning of the students.
The button below leads to a blog post about how teachers can think about their learning spaces, by offering 10 useful questions teachers can ask themselves to make sure their floorplans are catered to the learning of the students.
By answering these questions, I am able to decide what floorplan arrangement is best for my class based on the environment that is trying to be promoted. In addition, these questions act as a checklist for me so I can use them as a guide to better serve my students.
Desk Arrangements
When considering physical spaces, classroom desk arrangements come to my mind as a simple yet effective way to allow choice in the classroom.
Something as simple as choosing what design to create with the students' desks can promote choice by allowing them to either collaborate on assignments or to work independently.
Desk arrangements can also give students a clue as to who is in charge of their learning. Student-centered classrooms focus on a more group-specific design while teacher-centered classrooms are all facing the same direction.
Something as simple as choosing what design to create with the students' desks can promote choice by allowing them to either collaborate on assignments or to work independently.
Desk arrangements can also give students a clue as to who is in charge of their learning. Student-centered classrooms focus on a more group-specific design while teacher-centered classrooms are all facing the same direction.
Certain desk arrangements have more practical uses than others. For instance, teachers make use of the individual system of desk placement during times of test taking, but this design is not suitable for every-day use. In a pattern such as the one in the above picture, students are not given the freedom or choice to work together with their peers, and some students may be getting more attention from the teacher compared to others as a result of their seat placement. If a teacher wishes for his or her students to conduct a group project, then students will be responsible for moving their desks which can lead to distractions and loss of instructional time.
I really would not want the type of seating arrangement that is shown above for my own classroom. For cases of testing this may be acceptable but it seems too orderly and does not promote the type of choice and freedom I want my students to have. In addition, this looks too orderly and neat. I believe learning should be messy and while my classroom environment should be organized, the students should not feel as though they are rigid and forced to be facing the same way every day. I would much rather prefer for my students to have freedom of direction based on their needs and the needs of the lesson.
I really would not want the type of seating arrangement that is shown above for my own classroom. For cases of testing this may be acceptable but it seems too orderly and does not promote the type of choice and freedom I want my students to have. In addition, this looks too orderly and neat. I believe learning should be messy and while my classroom environment should be organized, the students should not feel as though they are rigid and forced to be facing the same way every day. I would much rather prefer for my students to have freedom of direction based on their needs and the needs of the lesson.
General Floorcrafting
The type of floorplan I wish to use depends on a number of factors that must be taken into account, with the needs of the students taking prevalence. Below are several common problems I anticipate will arise in my classroom floorplanning and some possible solutions and actions I can take:
The button below leads to excerpts of a book about classroom spaces, and specific guidelines about how to create an effective environment that addresses students' needs. Tips such as planning clear aisles for students to have the choice of movement, and allowing ample space for shelves and displays facilitate choice while creating order at the same time.
What does an effective floorplan look like?
Any teacher can create an effective floorplan that engages students and promotes choice. The key is finding the correct design that will suit my specific classroom and modifying it for the needs of my students.
Some things I can keep in mind when creating a floorplan for my classroom include:
- Multiple engaging stations
- Ample free space for movement
- Personal student spaces (which can include but are not limited to desks and cubbies)
- Plenty of materials
The above picture is a great example of a floorplan that I stumbled upon during one of my PLN days. This class gives students the choice to work in several different stations such as a math, a literacy, and a fine motor center. Also, students are given the freedom to move around instead of being confined to a desk for several hours. I really like the layout for my own classroom, assuming that I will have the correct furniture and floor space to use this as a blueprint.
Here is a youtube video of a teacher describing and showcasing her floorplan and the different characteristics it has. She brings up some good points and ideas that I can adapt and adjust for my own use, such as the gathering area and the 8 foot benches.
This is a video my collaborative planning group created depicting our ideal classroom floorplan and reasons why we would make the decisions to add certain aspects.
*Video courtesy of primeducation.blog.com*