The readings and discussion today have made me think about ways of better designing my classroom to be really secure, welcoming...and at the same time efficient. I think I can use aspects of the design process to improve the experience of collaboration and individual work for my students. I need to ask myself: to which places in my room do the students gravitate? Which spaces are largely un-used? How can I improve transitions and flow in my classroom? And I need to ask my students some of the same questions.
One thing I have noticed is that the spaces that are appealing to children are not the same as those that are appealing to adults. And that adults sometime inadvertently design places that don't get used by children as they had anticipated (or at all). A bit like the child who prefers to play with the box rather than the expensive toy that came in the box.
In my classroom, the students gravitate towards the edges. When given a choice, they are at the back table or the side "jelly bean" table, or in one of the four corners. They also seek out "caves". They want to be under a table, behind the bookcase, behind a door. Often the center of the room is empty.
I am going to do some research on creative classroom design for children - more to come!
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