Inquiry Discussion
Today in my small group discussion I shared a resource about the physical classroom environment and its effects on students. This article was great because it gave my group an overview of the issue and my inquiry question. My group and I discussed direct impacts (classroom environment organization and structure) that we have noticed throughout our observations. The article was informative because it offered many factors such as seating plans and cleanliness within the classroom that have direct impacts on student learning. Prior to my inquiry question I was not aware of the intensity of these factors on students, therefore sharing this article helped my peers and I understand that the environment of a learning area can really change student work and behavior. I feel that as teacher candidates we should try to learn about new strategies to use in our future classrooms. Through our observations, we noticed that seating plans and classroom organization can cause disruptions in work and behavior for students. I’m glad that I got the opportunity to discuss my inquiry question with my peers because it allowed me to see how the physical environment impacts different grade groups. Being able to hear various sides and opinions helped me understand my inquiry on a far deeper level and the individual effects it has within a classroom environment. After discussing varied approaches to a structured classroom, I was able to learn new and effective techniques and practices to implement into my future classroom. I can’t wait to utilize these new strategies in my own classroom one day!
Werthamer-Larsson, Lisa., Sheppard Kellam. “Effects of first-grade classroom environment on hey behavior, aggressive behavior, and concentration problems.” American Journal of Community Psychology 19.4 (1991): 585. Web.