Learning Environments

On this page I am going to reflect on learning environments. The leadership team at school had a meeting last week with an expert in learning environments. This got me thinking about how I could change my classroom to have all these different spaces without spending much money or bashing walls down (yet!)

So far I have thought about quiet zones where children can go to read quietly or just to sit and think. We have a couch on the way and 2 mosquito nets on order. I was in the Warehouse the other day and saw a beach tent for $10. Children have also brought in some cushions from home. The tent has been a real hit with the children. Reading time seems to have calmed down and they love sitting in the tent. One particular student likes to lie down and take time to think.

I would like to get rid of more desks and create work spaces at different levels. Currently I have a table having its legs trimmed and have also found another small table to use. We have been placing some desks outside and using that as a working space. The children have these cardboard book boxes that we are going to transform into our stationary spots. We will also have boxes for our books. What we are trying to achieve is being able to sit where ever and not 'own' a desk. So far this has been working well. There are a few students who need to be taught how to self manage and realise that the new learning spaces are for learning!

Photos will be posted ASAP!