strategic design of classroom environments for optimal learning · 2019. 12. 21. · strategic...

Strategic Design of Classroom

Environments for Optimal Learning

5th Annual Transitional Kindergarten Conference

Elia Garcia

Associate Program Director

Bee Medders

Program Consultant

MAY 4, 2016

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel

Welcome and

Connector

3 | Strategic Design of Classroom Environments for Optimal Learning: TK California Conference – May 4, 2016

Copyright © 2016 New Teacher Center. All Rights Reserved.

Connector

CONNECTOR

Reflecting on Your Current

Classroom Environment



Surfacing Beliefs

CONNECTOR

ENVIRONMENT SKETCH

Sketch your current classroom environment

Individually reflect and write

What are your current beliefs about

room environment?

What do you value?

How might room environment impact

student learning?

1 | PD Name: Day


CONNECTOR: REFLECTING ON CURRENT CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Sketch of room environment

What are your current beliefs about room environment?

What do you value?

How might room environment impact learning?



Sample




Partner Conversation

CONNECTOR

Share your current classroom environment

sketch.

What area supports student learning of

and why?

Which area would you like to change,

add, take away and why?

Share what you value and how you believe

room environment can impact student

learning.




ONE BELIEF IS…

“Classroom environments are public

statements about the educational

values of the institution and their

teacher. Arrangement of

space…conveys messages about the

relationship between teaching and

learning, the image of the child held

by the teacher, and the expectations

for behavior and learning in that

setting.”

Simco 1996; Gandini 1998; Rinaldi 1998

OVERVIEW



Outcomes

OVERVIEW

Participants will be able to:

• Identify important beliefs around

classroom environments

• Understand the power of Intentionality

and the use of multiple lenses in

staging classrooms for Optimal

Learning

• Think through your classroom design

with an Equity Lens



Agenda

OVERVIEW

• Welcome & Introductions

• Connector

• Outcomes and Agenda

• Norms

• Surfacing Beliefs on Classroom Environment

• Looking at classroom environment through four lenses

• Reflect on Current Room Environment

• Closure



Collaborative Norms

OVERVIEW

• Equity of Voice

• Active Listening

• Respect for All Perspectives

• Safety and Confidentiality

• Self-Monitor Use of Electronics

Looking at the


Through Four Lenses



“Classroom Environment

is the third teacher.”

Reggio Emilia



Oral Language

Early Literacy

Routines and Rituals

Social Emotional Learning

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Four Lenses



Finding evidence that

promotes…

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Evidence that

promotes Oral

Language?

How?

Evidence that

promotes Early

Literacy Skills?

How?

Evidence that

promotes Social

Emotional

Development?

How?

Evidence that

promotes Routines

and Rituals? How?

TK Environment

What Classroom Environment

Promotes and How




Promotes…

1. Add your sticky notes to the corresponding anchor charts.

2. Choose one out of your two assigned charts to begin. Analyze the sticky notes

and sort them into like groups.

3. Circulate the room, reading the notes and adding additional thoughts.

4. End at your original anchor chart. Take a minute to read any new additions.

Choose one person to share the findings

from your chart.

INSTRUCTIONS




Promotes… SHARING FINDINGS

How was your lens promoted in the

Classroom Environment photos?

Any surprises?

Wonderings?

Anything you found validating?



Evidence that Promotes Oral

Language

Shared reading chart on easel

Opportunities for students to write their

name

Opportunities to Compare and Contrast

(The Little Red Hen)

Opportunities to state own opinions

Puppets

Puzzles

Blocks

Science Center

Farmer’s Market

Thematic Instruction



Evidence that Promotes

Early Literacy Skills

Shared reading chart on easel

Ample exposure to books: sorted by theme,

interest, topic, etc.

Alphabet cards with pictures

Literacy center activities

Name Chart and opportunities to write names

Labels in Farmers Market

Puppets

Thematic Instruction

Word wall with vowels different colors than

consonants

“Writers Write about…” Anchor Chart



Evidence that Promotes Social

Emotional Development

Books that promote SEL, such as The

Little Red Hen and Sticks and Stones

Puppets

Drawings of themselves

Silhouettes of themselves

Charts for behavior expectations with

scaffolds

Quiet area to self regulate

Visual schedule for students to know

routines and rituals

Classroom that is representative of the

students in the class and multicultural

perspectives and learnings (Ex.Chinese

New Year bulletin board)



Evidence that Promotes

Routines and Rituals

Materials were accessible and eye level

Materials were organized

Room wasn’t cluttered

Clearly defined spaces

Good Morning Chart

Visual Schedules

Clearly defined areas of the room

Centers

Reflect on the Current

Learning on Classroom

Environment



Reflection

REFLECTION

Based on the conversation with your

colleagues today and reflecting on

your own beliefs of the classroom

environment:

What resonated with you?

What might you choose to do differently

in your classroom environment?

What questions around classroom

environment do you still have?



Revisit your Classroom

Environment Drawing

REFLECTION

What might you choose to do differently in your classroom environment?

Make the changes on your drawing that you plan to incorporate into your

classroom environment.

Share out

1 | PD Name: Day Copyright © 2015 New Teacher Center. All Rights Reserved.

CONNECTOR: REFLECTING ON CURRENT CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Sketch of room environment

What are your current beliefs about room environment?

What do you value?

How might room environment impact learning?

Closure



Today we…

Identified important beliefs

around classroom environments

Deepened our understanding of

the power of Intentionality and

the use of multiple lenses in

staging classrooms for Optimal

Learning

Thought about classroom design

with an Equity Lens

CLOSURE

Feedback

Thank you

For More Information

Elia Garcia Regional Lead, Early Learning [email protected]

Bee Medders

Program Consultant

[email protected]

www.newteachercenter.org



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strategic design of classroom environments for optimal learning · 2019. 12. 21. · strategic...

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