C LASSROOM D ESIGN M RS. P HIPPS ’ 2 ND G RADE C LASS S TEELE ’ S S IX F UNCTIONS Michelle Gay 19 February 2015 TEDU 410 Larson

S ECURITY AND S HELTER The classroom setting provides physical and psychological security and comfort. The room is well lit with natural lighting from the large windows. There are no damages or hazards that could affect the students’ physical wellbeing. Every morning there is a classroom meeting in which students get to express how they’re feeling, thus promoting a safe, psychological environment. A list of character traits of good community members is hung on the wall to promote a safe, caring learning environment for everyone.

S OCIAL C ONTACT The classroom setting is arranged to suit the amount of student interaction desired. The room is arranged in clusters of four tables with 2-3 children at each table. This promotes group work and is learner- centered based. The teacher has a kidney table in the back corner of the room for literacy tasks and her desk is located at the front of the room in the corner to have eyes on everyone. There is a large space at the front of the room on the floor for students to gather for morning meetings. The teacher is able to move freely around the room and has easy access to every student with this seating arrangement.

S YMBOLIC I DENTIFICATION The classroom setting reflects the teacher's and students' backgrounds, activities, accomplishments and preferences. The teacher has established three goals for the students’ to accomplish this year and has them displayed. On the walls, there are pictures of every student framed as superheroes with their own explanation of their superhero power regarding kindness. There are positive messages and processes lining all of the walls to establish a caring, thoughtful environment. Everything from posters to bulletin boards is handmade by the teacher, as well as having students’ work displayed.

T ASK I NSTRUMENTALITY The classroom setting supports the specific learning tasks to be carried out there. Each student has a chair pouch that holds their homework folders and important papers needed for each day. There are several shelves that contain labeled boxes with every necessary material needed for any activity and they are located near the tables. The classroom is very organized and tidy with specific spots for materials to be placed. There are clear, spacious pathways between the tables and a nice area directly in front of the door for students to line up. Each student has a designated coat hanger with their name on it to put their backpacks and coats.

P LEASURE The classroom setting is attractive and aesthetically pleasing. There are many colors, but not too many that it becomes overwhelming. There is a large, comfy hand chair that sits at the front of the room. Pillows and comfy beanbag chairs are available to use at the reading center, along with fun educational games to play. On top of the shelves there is a variety of Lego structures that the students built and put on display. The students have private areas, formal areas, informal areas, and plenty of space to complete any tasks given. The classroom is uncluttered, but stimulating and has a variety of displays (banners, bulletin boards, photos, posters, etc.).

G ROWTH The classroom is a learning-enriched environment—one that is equipped with materials and resources—encouraging intellectual growth and development. There is an abundance of learning materials and resources throughout the classroom. There is a supply of fiction books for children to read, thesauruses and dictionaries for children to use, and a variety of nonfiction books to explore anything the students might want to learn more about and research. The classroom has a designated art area and an array of building blocks for children to be creative as well.