Classroom Structure
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Learning Goal
I can analyze different classroom structures to implement in my own setting.
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Why is structure so important?
Classroom structure plays a vital role in managing student behaviors. It is important as an educator to physically design a classroom that will support a student’s ability to move throughout it independently and safely. When an environment is well-designed and organized, it promotes academic engagement, fosters appropriate social interactions, positively influences student performance, and decreases the possibility of inappropriate behaviors. (Vanderbilt University, 2024) When considering effective ways to arrange your room, consider these elements:
- Learning needs of students
- Instructional formats
- A multitude of seating arrangements
- Use of school areas (classroom, hallway, bathrooms)
Classroom design should support frequent interactions to any physical need within the room. This includes access to materials, equipment, and desks. Teachers should also be able to move throughout the classroom to engage and monitor student learning and behavior. (Vanderbilt University, 2024)
Your Task: Look at the different classroom arrangements. Think about which arrangement would be the most beneficial for your environment.
Explain
What should classroom structure look like?
To manage and minimize disruptive occurrences in the classroom, the arrangement of the physical classroom must reflect that. You can effectively do this by increasing students’ sense of psychological safety in a classroom. This is particularly important for students experiencing stressful situations or events like poverty, homelessness, or abuse (Vanderbilt University, 2024). “Teachers identified crowded rooms as settings that foster challenging behaviors (McGill, Teer, Rye, and Hughes, 2005).” When children have more space, their relationships and interactions with peers and teachers improve. It is important to understand that the right arrangement for your classroom may not happen the first time around. It may also change each year depending on your group of students. That is OKAY. The effort to always create an environment students can thrive in is more important than getting it right the first time.
Apply
How do you identify potential distractions?
What are things to consider when creating a good structure?
Your Task: Check out the dos and don´ts provided by Vanderbilt University. This list can be a great starter or reflection to compare with your own ideologies. Create a checklist of at least 2 items to implement or adjust. If you have a current classroom, test it out for 3 days to observe any differences.
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References
- Epstein, M. H. (2008). Reducing behavior problems in the elementary school classroom. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Dept. of Education.
- EAB. (2023). (issue brief). Building A Better Behavior Management Strategy for Students and Teachers. Retrieved 2023
- McKinney, A. (2023, July 7). Educator mindsets affect student performance. Teach. Learn. Grow. https://www.nwea.org/blog/2023/educator-mindsets-affect-student-performance/
- Vanberbilt University. (2024). How can teachers increase the chances that their students will behave appropriately?. IRIS Center. https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/beh1/cresource/q2/p06/