Physical Space Site

Learning Modalities: Campfire, Watering Hole and Cave

In the book titled, The Language of School Design by P. Nair, R. Fielding and J. Lackey (2013), the idea of school building design to accommodate learning modalities is addressed. These modalities are defined as: the Campfire, the Watering Hole and the Cave. (pp.128-143).

Campfire

Campfires are a way to learn from experts or storytellers. They can easily support a speaker & audience situation. Most storytelling arrangements in libraries constitute soft seating, a space for groups to sit in a circle and a higher seat for the speaker.

Silver Creek MS - variety of seating to accommodate a variety of learners. High counter is in the photo above to the upper left. Low bench, soft seating is in front of the high counter. Lightweight cushions are dispersed throughout the area; not visible in photo.

Brown Station ES - Soft seating with tables behind (to the left in the photo). Students can sit on the floor around the two green, square soft ottomans closest to the Promethean Board.

Hallie Wells MS - counter height for standing or high chairs at the top of photo; soft seating and lightweight cushion in the center and to the sides.

Cave Space

Cave space is a place for individual study, reflection, quiet reading and creative flow. Not all cave spaces need to be quiet - since different students are able to concentrate and think more clearly in different kinds of cave spaces.

Wilson Wims ES - Window seating (soft foam cushions) with a view out to the courtyard.

Hallie Wells MS - Single, soft seating with a view to the outside; in back of media center.

Soft seating to prompt reading with a buddy at Brown Station ES.

Wheaton Woods ES - Individual Seating in between stacks to promote individual reading.

Brown Station ES - Window seating around the columns.

Brown Station ES - Window seating and pillows to encourage individual reading.

Watering Hole

Watering Hole is a communal space which allows students to work together under passive supervision. It encourages social discourse and collaborative learning and a space available for students to choose to work or socialize together in.

Lee MS - students gather to add to the chalkboard circulation desk.

Wheaton HS - Students gathered at the Harvest Table. Can also allow for standing as well as the tall stools.

Silver Creek MS - Harvest tables for students to use for informal learning. Students can stand or sit.

Silver Creek MS - soft seating area for small groups to gather.

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