2e. Organizing Physical Space

• Safety and accessibility
• Arrangement of furniture and use of physical resources

The classroom environment is safe, and learning is accessible to all students, including those with special needs. The teacher makes effective use of physical resources, including computer technology. The teacher ensures that the physical arrangement is appropriate to the learning activities. Students contribute to the use or adaptation of the physical environment to advance learning.

I am constantly rearranging furniture in my classroom to match the activities of the day. Often students will also ask to move to different areas of the room when working in groups to facilitate their work. I also particularly enjoy having a reading space in the room where students can come during study halls or use any free time to sit in a cozy area while reading.

I have been lucky enough to have a flexible seating space in my Virginia classroom. We have standing tables, round tables with "spinning chairs," floor seating, and a "living room," complete with couches and comfortable chairs.