Aesthetic Thoughts for the Classroom

NTA August 2, 2012

TODAY’S OBJECTIVES:PWBAT better leverage their physical classroom to support learning and engagement for all.PWBAT identify places to procure classroom supplies.PWBAT evaluate various classrooms for their aesthetic elements.

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS!

COLOR• Red Raises a room’s energy level and excites. Raises BP, breathing, heart rate

• Crimson Makes people irritable and hostile

• Yellow Communicates happiness and is uplifting/ energizing. As main color, people more likely to lose tempers & babies more likely to cry

• Blue Reduces BP, heart rate, and breathing. Too light can be ‘frosty’; Too dark = sad

• Green Most restful for eye. Relaxing and stress-reducing

• Purple Dramatic, rich, sophisticated. Lighter versions are restful and warm

• Orange Exciting, energetic. Boosts energy

• Dark=smaller; Light=larger

LIGHT• Harness natural light

first.• All students should be

3-5 feet from a light source.

• Fluorescent thoughts• What is your plan to

reduce light levels when using multimedia?

CLEANLINESSSubtext:1) I am organized.2) I care about this class and

value this school.3) I don’t lose

assignments/work.4) I am a professional who

can handle things and take this job seriously.

5) I am proud of this school and what I do.

6) Broken Windows theory

PERSONALIZATION/WARMTH• Identity claims -tell the world who we are or reinforces an identity to self

• Feeling regulators -things that motivate, relax, inspire, and cheer

• Behavioral residue -clues about a person’s habits, actions, and thought

CEILING• It’s 1/6 of your physical

space!!!• Typically, it is the

primary lighting source in our classrooms

• Think of your dentist’s office . . .

• Only a small fraction of teachers do anything with their ceiling – so consider its power!

ORGANIZATION• Helps students find and use

class materials and resources

• Leverages the physical environment to support learning goals

• Projects a subtext of teacher capability, awareness, and commitment

• Teacher organization through modeling and experience

PROCEDURAL FLOW• Teacher space is minimal. • Helps start and end class

smoothly and quickly• Effective use of the

classroom to support procedures can free teacher to focus on other things

• Promote student responsibility; structure is calming for students

SONIC ARCHITECTURE• Reduce distractions• Support learning

TEMPERATURE & SMELL• Too hot = irritability• Too cold = sleepiness• FRESH AIR thoughts for

comfort of temperature and smell

• Consider your kids with breathing issues, allergies, and chemical sensitivities with candles, scented oils & cleaning products

WALLS• Keep them updated.• Showcase and celebrate

student work and successes.

• Post instructionally helpful materials for course.

• Be mindful of the distraction breakpoint!

• Change them periodically.• Differentiation room use

KINESTHETIC AREAS• Jonathan Mooney’s

presentation last year about channeling kinesthetic learners and children with hyperactivity challenges

• Multiple intelligence knowledge and brain-based learning privilege

• Kids like choice!

CONSIDER ATTENTION

“Less is more.”

-Mies van der Rohe

DESIGN ELEMENTSBalance/Weight• Symmetrical• Asymmetrical• Radial

Focal Point• Color• Purpose• Light

Rhythm• Repetition of the

same elements throughout the room

• Attention to room transitions

POWER POINT THOUGHTS• Rule of 1-2-3• Purpose????• Watch font style and size for ELL/SPED students• Minimizing text length and

density• Relevant visuals!!!• SMART connect• Embedded LSV• Sounds• Student accountability• Keep it CLEAN & SIMPLE

DON’T FORGET YOUR VIRTUAL CLASSROM!

WHERE to GET STUFF• www.posters.com • Teaching Stuff

www.teachingstuff.com • Treasures4Teachers www.treasuresforteachers.org

• IKEA• Lakeshore Learning www.lakeshorelearning.com • www.teacherstorehouse.com

AUDIT a few CLASSROOMS!• Using the physical

environment audit tool, assess assigned classrooms with your partner

• For any score below a ‘C’, identify solutions that would improve the learning environment

CONSIDER YOURS!• Take a moment to

reflect on how you want your classroom to look and be organized.

• Identify key goals, resources, and strategies that will be important for creating the most optimum learning environment

OBJECTIVE REVIEW:PWBAT better leverage their physical classroom to support learning and engagement for all.PWBAT identify places to procure classroom supplies.PWBAT evaluate various classrooms for their aesthetic elements

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