Putting all of the above information into a classroom can be an effortful task. Two teachers who run a blog The Daily Café offer an outline of a plan to setting up your own classroom while keeping in mind the important points from research above. As they say, we must “start with the things we value the most, and tuck everything else around them” (Boushey and Sabo, n.d.)

1. Teacher Space: This is an important place where a teacher can plan, organize, and reflect. However, we have to keep in mind just how much space we take up and how we take up that space. Yes, some parts are for the attention of the teacher only. However, students can and should be permitted to share this space with the teacher; essentially to provide opportunity for inquiry, concerns and learning. Most importantly, this allows for more of a balanced relationship between teacher and student – removing some of the power imbalance between the two.

2. Large Meeting Area: This is really important for interactive learning, as when students come to this space, they understand they must listen to their peers or teacher and there is eye-contact between each participant– fostering a healthy discussion. This structure also alleviates the distractions arising in desks. It may be possible to have an area just for this purpose; however, in a smaller classroom, furniture can be moved out of the way to open space.

3. Student Work Spaces: Teachers are advised to have a variety of choices for independent workspaces. In fact, not every student has to have his or her own desk. Instead, tables where four to six students can sit in groups, a low table so students can work sitting on the floor, a few high desks for students who prefer to stand and work. If a desk is required for each student, interactive arrangements discussed above should be implemented – circular settings.

4. Storage Areas: Students need an area to keep the materials they wont be using daily. Again, feeding in to the distracting stimuli discussion earlier, only material that is useful and helpful for the day’s learning should be kept at desks.

5. Finishing Touches: To provide a sense of warmth and community

• Walls – Keeping in mind the three features discussed earlier the walls should be reserved for learning materials and student work. To combat distraction, these boards should have a theme – one color – such that it is the work students are focusing on, not the bright borders and decorations.
• Lighting – Full-spectrum bulbs and natural lighting should be implemented instead of fluorescent lights which pose problems for sensitivity and attention.
• Plants – Whether real or fake, these are important as they counter the high levels of activity present throughout the day, by offering a sense of nature’s calm.