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
1
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
2
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.
!
Restroom(
Door(
Cubbies(
Smart(B
oard(
Sinks(Teacher’s(Desk(
Shelves(
Shelves(
Guided(
Reading(
Carpet(Area(
Dram
atic(Play(
Reading(Center(
Tables(&
(Chairs(