1. Welcome to Ms. Bell’s Classroom! Classroom Design By: Ashley Dunnaway February 14, 2015 First Grade Classroom Trevvett Elementary School

2. Steele’s Six Functions of the Classroom Setting 1. Security and Shelter 2. Social Contact 3. Symbolic Identification 4. Task Instrumentality 5. Pleasure 6. Growth

3. 1. Security and Shelter  This function of the classroom setting ensures that the physical environment of the classroom is safe and non-hazardous.  Examples:  Keeping the classroom temperature at a comfortable setting  Placing toxic chemicals out of the children’s reach  The classroom should also provide protection from  Bad weather  Loud noises  Odors

4. Security and Shelter Example  As a precaution, Ms. Bell always locks her door when leaving the classroom. By locking the door, Ms. Bell is able to secure the student’s and her belongings when the classroom is not being occupied.  Also, there are blinds on the door that must be closed during safety procedure drills too.

5.  This function can be described as how the classroom can be arranged to facilitate social interaction and to accommodate for different types of lessons.  Types of desk arrangements:  Interior Loops  Clusters  Horseshoe 2. Social Contact

6. Social Contact Example  In Ms. Bell’s classroom, the desks are arranged in clusters. By seating the students in tables of six, she encourages cooperation and group tasks.  When the students need to work individually, such as on a test, the students are provided with folders to give them privacy.

7. 3. Symbolic Identification  Symbolic Identification is a way of showcasing who occupies the classroom by adding a personal touch on the classroom’s space. It gives insight into the background and interests of the students. Symbolic Identification can also be used to show what students have been learning recently.  Examples:  Hanging students art work or classwork around the classroom  Displaying the birthday or heights of the students on a chart  Photographs of the students on a job chart

8. Symbolic Identification Example  The picture on the left is a wall in the classroom that has artwork created by the students hanging on it.  In the second picture, the student’s recent classwork is displayed above a bulletin board outside their classroom.

9. 4. Task Instrumentality  Task Instrumentality are the guidelines that are followed in order to accomplish a task.  Examples:  Making sure frequently used items are available to students  Organized shelves and storage space for items/belongings  Having enough space to line up at the door  Seating arrangement so that students can see the board  Separate areas for different activities

10. Task Instrumentality Example  When the students arrive in the morning, they hang their jackets and backpacks on the hooks.  This section of the classroom provides the students with enough storage space to store their belonging since they do not have desks.  Also by hanging their belongings on the hooks, the students are unable to block the pathways. This gives the students plenty of room for the students to walk around when necessary.

11. 5. Pleasure  This function is based on the attractiveness of the classroom.  It is important that the classroom is decorated in moderation because too much variation can lead to student anxiety.  Examples:  The use of bright and cool colors  Open, spacious areas and small, cozy corners  Hard and soft surfaces  Smooth and rough surfaces

12. Pleasure Example  Ms. Bell’s classroom is decorated in moderation. It is filled with bright and cool colored posters.  My favorite part of the classroom is the share chair. The share chair is decorated with cool stickers and the students are allowed to sit in the chair when they are sharing something with class. For example, one student shared about how he made a diorama using a shoebox.

13. 6. Growth  Growth is the last function and it includes the ways the classroom setting promotes learning, development, or academic achievement.  Examples:  Increasing a student’s self-confidence  Student learning to cooperate  Student learning to tie one’s shoe

14. Growth Example  In Ms. Bell’s classroom a set of students are given a certain job for the week. These jobs rotate every week between students so that all of the students have a chance to hold each job throughout the school year.  The classroom jobs teach students how to be responsible and gives them an opportunity to gain leadership skills. It also teaches them patience since they have to wait a week before a set of students can rotate jobs.

15. The End