As we begin we have been asked to look at our classrooms in terms of Struggles and Barriers to learning......this is how things look today.
|
Struggles and Barriers:
Teaching materials for small group work end up on the floor or on student work areas. There are many learning levels within our small groups - students require many adaptations and manipulatives
We use fabric curtains to divide the room for small group work time each morning - the space is crowded and loud. It is often busy and sometimes distracting. Materials are not located close to where we are working. |
Play - Relaxation - Sensory SpaceStudents have floor space and table space for their 'free choice' time. There are small cabinets that hold toys and other activities, shelves that store games, music and some sensory items. Chairs are not comfortable and it is difficult to allow students to group together to share common interests/items. The swing chair bumps into desks and other students trying to be comfortable.
|
furniture - equipmentDesk tops are heavy and difficult to move, items fall off the tops when students need to access items in their desks. Students struggle to move chairs when we need to transition to other seating arrangements. Our teacher desk area is in the middle of our large group area - wasted student work area.
|
The Why??
Due to the nature of our student's unique needs and profiles, we need spaces and equipment that can be flexible and adjustable. I am beginning to move my thoughts from static, 'matching' pieces, to furnishings and equipment that meet the need of specific students and specific activities.
We have taken our students over to look at all the furniture pieces to get a look at how they interact with the pieces and what they are drawn to. Im excited to see how many do well with pieces that I though they would struggle with. I was worried about chairs that move and with the stools - the soft seating and riser pieces. Students each had different pieces that they liked and I can see how we would modify our 'teaching' with the use of these different furniture pieces and arrangements.
Support staff were able to travel with us and helped me by making observations....
We have taken our students over to look at all the furniture pieces to get a look at how they interact with the pieces and what they are drawn to. Im excited to see how many do well with pieces that I though they would struggle with. I was worried about chairs that move and with the stools - the soft seating and riser pieces. Students each had different pieces that they liked and I can see how we would modify our 'teaching' with the use of these different furniture pieces and arrangements.
Support staff were able to travel with us and helped me by making observations....