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Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki

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Page 1: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Designing a Learning Area

Mary Gorecki

Page 2: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

My Classroom Environment Philosophy

• I believe my students learn and grow when they feel safe and respected. I will

welcome each one of my students, which will create connections and a sense

of belonging and make every individual comfortable enough to take risks. I

will foster a love of learning by providing students with natural materials that

engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual

engagement. My students will develop independence and responsibility as

they utilize flexible space and open-ended materials that I provide.

Page 3: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Visual Representation of SpaceLamp for soft lighting

Teacher Zone

Movable Easel with pockets

Disk Chairs

Standing Station/

Discovery Zone

Stability Balls

Quiet Zone/

Reading Area

Storage Zone

News Zone

Community Zone

Regular Chairs and

Crate Seats

Natural Elements

Kidney Table for

One on One Work

Hokki Stools

Natural Lighting

Page 4: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Effective Elements

• Creating connections and a sense of belonging

• A strong sense of community is established right away

• Student ownership is a big part of the classroom

• The classroom is comfortable and cozy

• The atmosphere is inviting and fun

• Colors are subdued and warm

• Students will feel comfortable and safe and desire to have relationships and make friends

Page 5: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Effective Elements

• Flexible space and open-ended materials

• Many flexible seating options will be available

• Seating can be moved and rearranged

• Various opportunities with open-ended materials

• Efficient use of space and layout is appropriate for foot traffic

• Materials are very accessible to small children

Page 6: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Effective Elements

• Natural materials that engage the senses

• Sensory items

• Textures incorporated in the lesson plans

• Lamps and windows for natural light

• Plants around the room

• Manipulatives in quiet zone

Page 7: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Effective Elements

• Wonder, curiosity, and intellectual engagement

• Discovery zones are dispersed throughout the classroom

• Materials to engage with and explore/ investigate

• Music playing in background of class

Page 8: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Effective Elements

• Symbolic representations of learning domains/disciplines through

visual elements

• Decorative materials in classroom will be packed with meaning

• Promote a love of learning through materials that make students curious and excited

Page 9: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Activity and Learning AreasEach of the Seven Zones are included in my visual representation.

• Discovery Zone- tables and open area towards back of room (microscope, fish tank, natural manipulatives, clay)

• News Zone- used for communication (multiple white boards that include date, seating magnets, weather, and schedule)

• Supplies Zone- each student has individual drawer for personal supplies, storage units for books, art supplies, lesson materials

• Community Zone- large rug in front of classroom, comfortable seating options dispersed throughout classroom

• Quiet Zone- reading/decompression corner with pillows/beanbags, rugs, and stress balls

• Teacher Zone- my desk/file cabinet in front corner, family photos, separated by bookshelf

• Subject Zone- large white board/smart board in front of room, white board easel with pockets for markers, posters with content related images and information

Lopez, V. (2015, July 28). 7 Learning Zones Every Classroom Must Have. Retrieved from Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-learning-zones-classroom-veronica-lopez

Page 10: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Comprehensive List of Materials

Linked to Effective Elements

• Age specific materials that I will use to use to effectively teach in each domain/disciplines based on the ND Content Standards are included in my Classroom Profile document.

Committee, C. S. (2017). North Dakota Content Standards. Retrieved from North Dakota Department of Public Instruction: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/SchoolStaff/Standards/

Page 11: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Guidance Policy

• “Materials and spaces will be utilized positively and respectfully to

foster exploration, learning, and growth.”

• Classroom Expectations:

• A physical environment that supports social and emotional security will be created.

• Clear rules about how to use materials and space appropriately will be established and enforced immediately.

• Students will problem solve by utilizing their environment and the materials that are provided for them in a

positive way that will help them grow, explore, and learn new content.

Author, N. (2010, June 1). Policy and Procedure Manual. Retrieved from Head Start of Lane County: https://www.hsolc.org/policies/childcare/child-guidance-and-behavior-

management

Page 12: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Environmental Plans

Each of my Environmental Plans clearly outlines how the environment will be used to teach skills.

• “Creating appropriate environments for Organisms”

• “Obstacle Course Creations”

• “Introductions to Reader’s Theater”

• “Practicing making observations and identifying observable properties”

Page 13: Designing a Learning Area - goreckimary.weebly.com€¦ · Designing a Learning Area Mary Gorecki. ... engage the senses and encourage wonder, curiosity and intellectual engagement

Resources Utilized

• Author, N. (2010, June 1). Policy and Procedure Manual. Retrieved from Head Start of Lane County: https://www.hsolc.org/policies/childcare/child-guidance-and-behavior-management

• Committee, C. S. (2017). North Dakota Content Standards. Retrieved from North Dakota Department of Public Instruction: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/SchoolStaff/Standards/

• Lopez, V. (2015, July 28). 7 Learning Zones Every Classroom Must Have. Retrieved from Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-learning-zones-classroom-veronica-lopez