The  aesthetics  of  the  room  are  another  key  component  when  creating  an  engaging  and  comfortable  literacy  classroom.  It  is  important  for  every  classroom  to  be  appealing  and  engaging  to  the  students  who  learn  within  it.  The  classroom  should  contain  posters,  pictures,  signs,  and  other  visually  pleasing  features.  These  features  can  also  serve  the  purpose  of  helping  students  learn.  Posters  and  signs  can  be  displayed  in  respective  areas  of  the  room  reminding  students  of  the  writing  process  and  reading/writing  strategies.  Word  walls  should  be  bright  and  clear  for  all  students  to  read  and  make  use  of.  Students  should  feel  comfortable  to  read,  write,  and  learn  within  the  classroom.  An  ideal  literacy  classroom  should  visually  show  excitement  for  literacy  through  its  aesthetics.    

An  ideal  literacy  classroom  should  also  have  a  number  of  tools  and  resources  for  students  to  use.  The  teacher  can  have  a  bulletin  board  that  incorporates  vocabulary  from  all  subjects  (math,  science,  reading,  social  studies,  etc.)  that  will  help  the  teacher  and  students  to  use  the  vocab  more  frequently.  The  classroom  should  also  contain  tools  for  readers  who  struggle  (can  also  be  used  as  a  regular  part  of  guided  reading).  These  tools  could  include  (but  is  not  limited  to)  line  highlighters,  pointing  tools,  and  whisper  phones.  All  of  these  can  help  struggling  and/or  developing  readers  with  their  reading  strategies  that  ultimately  contribute  to  them  leading  a  literate  life.  

EDUC  4200  Classroom  Environments  Ideal  Literacy  Classroom  

Jess  Messerli  

Tools  Available  

Aesthetics  

Classroom  Environment

s  EDUC  4200  –  Jess  Messerli  Ideal  Literacy  Classroom  

 

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The  layout  of  a  classroom  is  one  of  the  most  important  aspects  when  creating  an  engaging  literacy  environment  within  the  classroom.  Classrooms  should  have  assigned  areas  that  are  cohesive  with  the  different  aspects  of  literacy.  These  areas  will  help  students  focus  on  that  particular  aspect  of  literacy  and  should  help  to  eliminate  distractions  from  other  areas  within  the  room.  The  areas  should  have  clear  boundaries  within  the  room  so  that  the  students  know  where  these  areas  start  and  stop.  The  boundaries  should  also  create  a  way  for  students  to  interact  within  their  center/station  without  disrupting  students  in  another  area.  The  different  literacy  areas  throughout  the  room  should  be  clearly  marked  so  that  anyone  who  steps  in  the  room  can  see  the  defined  areas.  This  can  be  done  by  having  a  sign  or  poster  on  the  wall  or  even  having  signs  hanging  from  the  ceiling  over  each  area.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year,  the  teacher  should  walk  the  students  

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through  where  each  area  is  located  and  the  procedures  and  rules  that  go  along  with  the  respective  areas.  The  ideal  literacy  classroom  should  contain  some  type  of  writing  center  where  students  can  go  to  write,  get  writing  materials,  reminders  of  strategies  learned,  and  topic  ideas.  The  classroom  should  also  contain  a  reading  center.  The  reading  center  may  or  may  not  be  in  the  same  place  as  the  classroom  library.  The  reading  center/classroom  library  should  have  the  books  displayed  in  an  organized  way  and  should  be  used  as  an  area  where  students  may  go  to  quietly  and  comfortably  read  (containing  bean  bags,  pillows,  etc.).  The  classroom  may  also  contain  a  listening  center,  which  usually  depends  on  the  age  of  the  students.  This  area  may  contain  books  on  tape  or  CD  for  students  to  listen  to  through  headphones.  There  should  also  be  a  designated  guided  reading  table  for  the  teachers  and  students  to  use  during  guided  reading  time.  

Layout    

Organization  Organization  within  the  classroom  is  a  key  component  in  fostering  an  environment  that  benefits  and  enhances  the  students  within  it.  Different  organizational  strategies  and  tools  should  be  used  within  an  ideal  literacy  classroom.  The  books  within  a  classroom  library  can  be  organized  by  genre  in  bins  (see  below)  to  help  students  find  their  desired  book  quicker  while  also  exposing  students  to  a  number  of  other  genres.  Writing  centers  should  have  materials  displayed  neatly  so  students  can  see  all  the  materials  that  are  available  and  so  they  can  easily  access  these  materials  when  needed.  Organization  within  the  classroom  helps  to  lower  distractions,  fosters  learning,  and  teaches  students  organizational  strategies  that  they  can  use  themselves  in  their  everyday  lives.  

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