4. Learning Environment

Flexible Seating

4E) knows how to assess the instructional environment to determine how best to meet a student’s individual needs;

A surefire way to set a classroom up for failure is to expect students to sit still quietly while being engaging. This expectation is unrealistic based on all research on children and their needs to move about and fidget.

When designing my first classroom, I requested approval for flexible seating. I wanted an environment where my students wanted to be while having options for seating. Some students want to rock, others like to sit up high, and others like to be lower on a stable seat. I also wanted my students always to be engaging with each other. Group seating encourages this. I want students to share about their ideas and strategies. I want them to ask someone from their table before they raise their hand or come to ask me. This creates relationships, promotes ownership, and builds confidence. 

Engaging Atmosphere

4M) organizes, allocates, and manages time, materials, technology, and physical space to provide active and equitable engagement of students in productive learning activities;

One of my student's favorite things is working around the room. When students are up and moving, their minds are engaged. It may seem like chaos, but conversations of information and connections are made within all the noise. With this freedom, students arrive at a growth mindset and are ready to be part of the class in whatever activity they are doing. Of course, like any new thing, this took some practice, but students were excited to work towards working around the room.