Sydney Goldeman

ART 396
Professor Klauck
February 12th, 2024
The first thing that you would see when you enter my classroom would be the turn in
station and extra supplies. Then you would see the students' tables. There are six tables able to
seat 24 students. Moving straight forward form the students’ tables is the group rug. The group
rug is composed of earth tone circle spots and faces the smart board and classroom bulletin
boards. To the left of the rug is the teacher's desk and shelves for storage. On the right of the
group rug is the classroom sink and health and snack station. As well as cabinets for storage. One
cabinet is storage for classroom tools. The other cabinet holds toys and games for the students. In
the bottom left corner of the classroom is the reading nook. There are two bookshelves to hold
books for students to read. As well as an organically shaped green rug and pillows. On the left
wall of the reading nook are the classroom rules. Straight in front of the reading nook is the small
group worktable. To the right of the reading nook are student cubbies for them to store their
classroom supplies in. The last thing that I would like to include about my classroom design is all
the plants that are scattered around the room.
On a regular day, students will come into the classroom and turn in their work/folder to
the turn-in table. They will also grab a pencil from their cubbies to start the day. They will be
given time to play with the games/toys in the cabinet before class starts. Students will then gather
on the group rug to have morning meeting. The class will then go to their table spots to start their
learning for the day. They may be asked to return to the rug periodically for lessons or brain
breaks. During work time students may discuss topics with each other, get what they need from
the class stations, or read in the reading nook when their work is complete. Students may be
asked to join the teacher at the small group worktable to work on things they may be struggling
with. To end the day students will clean up their table spots and we will end class on the group
rug together talking about what we learned that day.
Safety in the classroom is maintained by the classroom rules hung on the wall by the
reading nook. Another way safety is maintained in the classroom is by students having their own
cubbies. With the cubbies the students can store their scissors out of reach and sight until they
are needed for a class activity. This reduces the risk of students cutting things other than paper.
Safety is also maintained by the rugs being stuck to the floor with rug tape to decrease the risk of
students tripping. Finally, with the teachers' desk placed in the conner, the teacher can see all the
students in the classroom.
Next let's look at how students are set up for success in the classroom. There are three
different stations set up in the classroom to help students succeed. The first station being the
extra supply station. Students will be able to grab materials (pencils, glue, paper, crayons, etc.)
that they need for class that they may not have or have run out of. They can access this station at
any time in class. The next station is the health station. The health station will have tissues, soap
to wash their hands and any other health tools that the students may need. This station will also
be available to students at any time during the day. The last station is the snack station. The
snack station will have cups for students to get water and small snacks for them to eat. The snack
station will only be available to students during independent worktime.
To create a classroom in which students feel like they are loved and that they belong, the
classroom is organized and clean. There is room for all the students and each student has
personal space. Expectations are also posted for the class by the reading nook. To create a fun
environment in the classroom there are toys and games available for students to play with when
they have finished their work. Though they cannot be seen in a drawing there are nature themed
posters around the room. The classroom also has plants all around the room for students to enjoy.
To foster a sense of independence in the classroom the students are all given their own
cubbies and supplies that they are responsible for and must take care of. There are also a variety
of spaces for the students to be able to work. They can work at their table spot, on the rug by the
sink, in the reading nook, or on the group rug. Lastly students are responsible to turn in their own
work/folder to the turn-in table every day. These run into how the students will feel valued
within the classroom. Each day a student will be chosen to be the teacher’s helper for the day.
The bulletin board on the right of the smart board will be a place for students to be able to hang
up their work that they are proud of and would like the class to see.
Finally, the affordance in the classroom. First looking at the positive affordances in the
classroom. By each garbage there is a recycling bin making it easier and more accessible for
students to recycle their paper scraps and any other materials that can be recycled. As well as the
students being placed at tables to encourage group work and discussion. The turn in table is also
placed at the front of the door for students to turn in work/folder right when they get to class.
Lastly for the positive affordances is the reading nook. The reading nook is a cozy area
surrounded by books creating a positive environment around reading. Now on to the negative
affordances in the classroom. Scissors are stored in the student's cubby out of reach until they are
needed. Students' tables numbers are also hung from the ceiling to prevent students from picking
at the tape on the table.