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Terri Anstiss
Reduce distractions in the physical environment so students can focus on the teacher as well as the tech/digital tools being use. Use Smartboard or Apple TV or some other type of projector/mirror along with plain physical space and seating that makes sense for the lesson.

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Terri Anstiss
You could create different centers for different mindsets/effects.  You could set up centers that would support different areas of SEL.

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The design of the classroom such as; layout, flexible seating, lighting, air quality, and color of the classroom. These are all areas to consider when designing or redesigning a classroom, it’s also about why it is important?
How does the physical space and contents in the classroom influence student learning?

*** You can use the Padlet app to comment. ***

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Terri Anstiss
Try out different scenarios with students and reflect and  journal on the experience.  Ask students what are their favorite colors, activities, themes.  Try to build a consensus.

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Johanna  Thorpe
Even if you are changing layouts, include some physical spaces that never move. These can include resources for students when they get stuck.

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Johanna Thorpe
Make one change each week and record results among classes. After each change has  been introduced individually and analyzed,  combine changes.  For example, flexible seating and layout could be combined.

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Johanna Thorpe
What have other  teachers learned?  Is there a way to get  qualitative  data around physical classroom changes and  performance measures?

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Johanna  Thorpe
You asked why do these elements matter? Consider tackling this question on an individual level, classroom level, and school level Does it make a difference to make these distinctions?

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Johanna Thorpe
Similar to "Ask a Student" create a a classroom design contest with students.  What changes would  they make and why?

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Johanna Thorpe
Change one element of the classroom and then ask students  how that  change affected  the classroom environment via student survey.

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Six Examples of What Personalized Learning Looks Like

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Six Examples of What Personalized Learning Looks Like

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This article gives a few examples of ways other teachers have personalize their classrooms. I have seen a few of these used in my school also.
https://www.edelements.com/blog/six-examples-of-what-personalized-learning-looks-like

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Having a time setup during the day were students rotate to different activities can also keep students engaged while also giving the teacher a chance to conference with certain students.

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I've responded to a couple of comments ... and I'm going to leave it as is ... you have more than enough comments! Yay!

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Making sure that a classroom is clean regularly for dust and sanitized can also limit the amount of students absences which will also limit the amount of catch up time that is spent getting students who missed a lesson due to illness.

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I think that physical space is important to students. When a student feels that something is their's they take ownership into it. If students are able to personalize their learning space that would also increase their level of engagement as well.

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More visual tools like videos and interactive materials might help keep students more engaged in learning. Anything that involves technology or the ability to create something that their's is also a big hit with students from my experience.

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I knew one teacher who would have different seats for students depending on which subject she was teaching.

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Think about colors that have a neutral or calming effect on learning.  I read a study recently that pointed out bright, competing colors can be distracting, and so can too many posters and visuals on the walls.

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Terri Anstiss
Desks that can be broken apart and reconfigured per activity or periodically.  Also some standing desks for students who have a hard time sitting still, or even desks that convert to standing for all students.  Chairs that allow students to flex their bodies and move (fidget) without making too much noise.

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Lighting can sound can be used to help students transition between different activities throughout the day. Some of the teachers at our school use lamps and calming background music during reading and individual work time to keep their students on track.

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https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/voices-field/how-does-music-benefit-your-classroom-or-school-community-most

Here is an article on how music in the classroom can benefit students learning

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This blog post was originally written by Elena Saavedra in 2015 and was updated by Henry Alexander in 2022.

These references were updated in February 2022.

Bokiev, D., Bokiev, U., Aralas, D., Ismail, L., & Othman, M. (2018). Utilizing music and songs to promote student engagement in ESL classrooms. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(12), 314-332

Brewer, B.C. (2012). Music and learning: Integrating music in the classroom. Johns Hopkins School of Education. Retrieved from: http://frequencyoflearning.com/john-hopkins-study-integrating-music-in-t...

Eerola, P. S., and Eerola, T. (2014). Extended music education enhances the quality of school life. Music Education Research. 16 (1), 88-104.

Foran, L. M. (2009). Listening to music: Helping children regulate their emotions and improve learning in the classroom. Educational Horizons, 88(1) 51-58.

Goldbeck, L., and Ellerkamp, T. (2012) A randomized controlled trial of multimodal music therapy for children with anxiety disorders. Journal of Music Therapy, 49(4), 395-413.

Gonzalez, M. F., & Aiello, J. R. (2019, January 28). More than meets the ear: Investigating how music affects cognitive task performance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/xap0000202

Hallam, S. (2010). The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social, and personal development of children and young people. International Journal of Music Education. 28 (3) 269-289.

Hallam, S., Price, J., & Katsarou, G. (2002). The effects of background music on primary school pupils' task performance. Educational Studies, 28(2), 111-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055690220124551

The Impact of Music on Learning. (n.d.). InnerDrive. Retrieved from https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/music-and-learning.

Saarikallio, S., and Erkkila, J. (2007). The role of music in adolescents' mood regulation. Psychology of Music. 35 (1), 88-109.

Ziv, N., and Dolev, E. (2013). The effect of background music on bullying: A pilot study. Children & Schools. 35 (2) 83-90.

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How can integrating music into your classroom benefit student learning and development?

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Shares how music can benefit classrooms and the school community.

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Maybe incorporating bean bag chairs or other types of furniture that make students more comfortable, from experience I know that my students are much more motivated to learn when they are able to sit comfortably and feel "more at home"

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Terri Anstiss
Using natural elements and minimalist design may help students to focus better and integrate technology without external distractions.  Neutral colors, images of nature (trees especially), nature objects and plants, can be soothing.

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If your furniture doesn't currently move, you might be able to add casters to make it movable. 

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If your furniture doesn't currently move, you might be able to add casters to make it movable. 

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-Amy Roberson

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I love this article for getting started designing flexible spaces in the classroom.  Great ideas about considering noise, collaborative environments, and spaces to share work.

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Putting students at the center of learning takes a double commitment. One to ensure that instruction and learning address distinct student needs, interests and aspirations, and one to provide spaces that support a student-centered program.

It also requires educators to consider the various teaching formats they use and creating learning environments to support them.

Michael Mades, director of technology for the Sun Prairie School District in Wisconsin, suggests teachers ask themselves questions like: What does a seminar look like and how can it be organized in the classroom? What might lecture-based instruction look like in different spaces? Where can pairs or small groups work? How might we display information? How can we share learning artifacts? When do we need room for audiences and when do we need silent working spaces?

Then, begin to create environments that support your responses and the unique learners in your classroom. Consider these options:

Collaboration spaces. Space communicates intention, and if you want students to collaborate, you need to create spaces that let them work collaboratively and learn from each other. This approach puts emphasis on the 4 C's - communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity - as an integration strategy, Mades says.

Areas for varied types of learning. Teaching takes many forms - seminars, lectures and group discussions, for example. And learning can happen individually, in pairs or in small groups. Be sure your learning space provides opportunities for different instructional practices and varying student combinations.

A variety of furniture. By incorporating flexible seating into learning spaces, students can decide where they are most comfortable learning. "Popular with students are high-top tables with stools, lounge chairs and sofas with laptop trays, and collaboration tables for partner and group work, floor cushions for cozy reading and workbenches for making," Mades says.

Multiple spaces to demonstrate learning. Students also need variation in the types of spaces they can use when demonstrating their learning. Build in spaces that allow for poster sessions where students display text and images of their projects, give a brief summary and answer audience questions, for example. Or a space where students can provide a Ted Talk-style presentation.

Mades points to a recent poster session at his school where students gave demonstrations of their work with 3D printing and models, origami and tabletop games to school employees, parents and guardians.

Space for making. Makerspaces and the materials in them can be as varied as the exciting artifacts students will create. Carve out some space that includes a work surface, a project storage area, access to tech- and non-tech materials and tools that support the use of materials. Makerspaces provide yet another place for students to demonstrate their learning.

Varied sound zones. Loud. Quiet. Silent. Provide different sound zones according to the type of learning and instruction. Loud zones allow for group collaborative learning and teaching. Quiet zones can be used by small groups or pairs. Silent zones are perfect for reading, testing or independent work. Providing zones means students can choose a space that recognizes their learning preferences.

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6 ways to personalize learning with flexible seating

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Putting students at the center of learning takes a double commitment. One to ensure that instruction and learning address distinct student needs, interests and aspirations, and one to provide spaces that support a student-centered program. It also requires educators to consider the various teaching formats they use and creating learning environments to support them.

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Be careful to research the fire code in the school.  Often the things that can make our classrooms cozy learning nooks have restrictions attached when it comes to the fire department.

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Lighting can also be key.  Many schools have harsh lighting that can give students headaches or make it difficult to concentrate.

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I love the idea of plants throughout the room.  Benefits include: cleaner air, better mindset, jobs for students (watering, observing growth, etc.)

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Consider different types of flexible seating that can be used for different purposes or stored when not needed.

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I would begin by considering the intention of each space in your classroom.  What type of learning will occur in these spaces and how can you design the environment to best achieve this.

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I like a lot of the ideas in this article about color in the classroom!

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Ask a teacher what influences learning and you'll get a variety of responses - primarily around teaching methods, curriculum and outside influences. Without a doubt, it's highly unlikely that you'll hear color as a response, much less the color of furniture.
While the impact of color is often overlooked, color is an inseparable part of our everyday lives. It's inherent in everything we see and do and studies indicate that it plays a role in emotion, productivity, communication and learning.

While the research is varied it is conclusive; the use of color can have a significant impact on emotion, which can ultimately influence an individual's working and studying. In fact, studies on emotion and color show a direct link between color and positive and negative feelings (see sidebar). The use of color also helps define a room's purpose whether it is for quiet study, collaboration or relaxation.

The impact color has on a room and its occupants is undisputed. For decades, interior designers have leveraged color to set a room's purpose or mood. While often ignored in the classroom, color remains an important element to consider in any environment. The use of color can be broad, such as a room's wall color, or a select accent, such as chairs, desks or tables, depending on the intended effect. With a few exceptions, the use of color within schools has been limited to functionality.

According to Ohio-based interior designer, Elizabeth Stout, color in school room design is rarely a consideration, except for its relation to functionality. Typically, a school will have a neutral wall color and use the school's colors as an occasional accent.

"Furniture is usually chosen based on functionality, ergonomics and durability," Stout said. "Schools generally never choose light-colored furniture because it makes dirt easy to spot. Additionally, in some elementary schools, chair color is dictated by size."

However, furniture color is an important part of the school. Similar to wall color, the pieces used in different spaces require different color usage to facilitate learning. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to room and furniture color selection, looking at the effects of color on emotion and relating that to the purpose of the learning space can help guide the color choices - on walls, on floors, and even on furniture.

The following are some practical guidelines for incorporating color into three different spaces in a school's interior, with a specific focus on furnishings.

The Classroom

Classrooms are used for a variety of purposes, but the main intent is active learning. For this reason, color in a classroom environment should maximize information retention and stimulate participation.

The key to creating an environment conducive to learning in a classroom is to not over-stimulate learners. Overstimulation is often cause by large amounts of bright colors, especially reds and oranges. Calmness, relaxation, happiness and comfort are feelings elicited by colors such as green and blue.

While it is best to have a calming and neutral color on the walls, furniture can add a splash of color to an otherwise dull classroom. Since color is not used in large amounts on furniture, it does not have the same affect as bright colors on walls. Select yellow furniture to elicit feelings of liveliness, energy, happiness and excitement. Red and orange in small quantities can also demand attention and attract learners' attention to detail - a great way to lead students to a certain part of the room for an engaging activity.

If the intent is to match all elements of the room, use furniture colors that are similar to wall colors focusing on the calming greens and blues.

The one exception to color in the classroom is with younger children, who unlike older children, thrive in a bright-colored environment. In this instance, bright colors can be used on the walls and in the furniture. It can also be used to help children understand how certain areas of a room are used. For example, the blue chairs in the corner may be used as a reading and relaxation area, while the red table may be a free-play space.

Libraries

Libraries are similar to classrooms in many ways. They are multi-purpose, are an extended learning environment and require careful attention to color selection.

Color in a library setting should be used to align emotions and behaviors with the purpose of the space. Since different areas of a library are intended for different activities, have fun experimenting with color. Take a reading area, for example. As an extension of the learning environment, reading areas are intended to be calming and relaxing allowing learners to reflect. In this instance, matching calming wall colors - like greens and blues - with furniture colors maximizes the effects of color in this space.

In contrast, if an area is used for lounging and conversing, color can provide excitement. Consider using a more neutral wall color and experimenting with furniture color by using bright-colored cushions, fixed colors on lounging chairs or vibrant accents on tables or shelving. Color selections might include deep reds, oranges and yellows, or pastels in any color combination.

Common Areas

Unlike classrooms and libraries, common areas, such as entry ways and lunch rooms, are more informal and welcome conversation, excitement and play. The color choices in a common area are limitless, but still should reflect the purpose of the area.

The front entry way is a great example of a common area, and is usually the first space people see when they enter a building. Typical furniture found in entry ways can include bench seating or small tables conducive to last-minute studying or midday chats. As a common gathering place for students before school, after school and between classes, entry ways welcome fun and conversation. The furniture used in these spaces should reflect this excitement through bold, energetic colors. The front entry way is often a good place to incorporate school colors into the furniture to welcome visitors with the school's spirit.

Lunch rooms are also an area that allow for free time, and should also be energetic and welcoming. Feel free to use school colors on the walls, but use furniture to compliment. If school colors are bright, use furniture in similar tones. If the wall colors are muted or neutral, use bursts of colorful furniture to add life to the space.

Give Colorful Furniture A Try

Through both research and practical application, it is clear that color can have an effect on mood, emotion, and productivity, which ultimately influences student success. While there is no one-size-fits-approach to the use of color, consider letting the purpose of the room guide the color scheme selection. With a little bit of thought and planning - and access the right furniture company - finding furniture that meets the color needs of any space can be done with ease.

Sidebar:

According to a 2004 study by Kaya & Epps titled Relationship between color and emotion: a study of college students found the following:

Green is associated with relaxation and calmness, followed by happiness, comfort, peace, hope and excitement.

Yellow was generally said to be lively and energetic eliciting positive emotions associated with the sun and summertime.

Gray was associated with negative emotions, including sadness, depression, boredom, confusion, tiredness, loneliness, anger and fear.

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Ask a teacher what influences learning and you'll get a variety of responses - primarily around teaching methods, curriculum and outside influences. Without a doubt, it's highly unlikely that you'll hear color as a response, much less the color of furniture. While the impact of color is often overlooked, color is an inseparable part of our everyday lives.

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cchen15Choices when it comes to writing 

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cchen15Choices when it comes to writing 

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Give students a choice in how they want to write. Whether it be typing on a computer, writing in a notebook, using different writing utensils, Give them the opportunity to write on a type writer if possible. Engaging them in different ways to write

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Would music, white noise, noise cancelling headphones, etc. help some students?

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Can you ask students open-ended questions about where they can focus or learn best, and use that information to design your space?