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The goal of this project is to help foster a positive learning environment where students feel comfortable to learn, discuss content, and demonstrate their knowledge. Currently, my students are allowed to independently and collaboratively work in multiple areas. Students can be found at desks, sitting on the floor with clipboards, in the hall, and even outside the building next to my classroom windows. It is proven that student productivity, comprehension, and engagement are dramatically increased when they are working in a choice area that makes them comfortable. The classroom environment should mirror what students will encounter in their future careers, and collaboration, problem solving, and meaning making are at the forefront of most job descriptions. Standard desks situated in rows do not foster open communication and collaboration. With this project, I will be creating multiple work areas around the classroom for students to use. The bean bags and pillows will create comfortable working corners. Students often want to work on the floor or in the hall, but can't because of laptop safety. I have added the laptop seated desks as a safe and enjoyable way to promote peer collaboration throughout our space. Each year we have students who struggle sitting for long periods of time, so therefore the stand up desk will be useful in providing optimal learning environments for them. Additionally, I am incorporating natural lighting and nature themes to help optimize our learning environment. Brain-based strategies demonstrate that our brains were not designed to compute problems in classroom settings, but rather for natural survival. Having these features and lights will allow our classroom overhead lights to stay off and students work in a calming manner.
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