Journal Entry #1

Nancy Widlowski
Journal Entry #1
Teaching and the Environment
Hoffman School – Grade 4


The classroom I am observing in has many challenges. There are three doorways in the room, one from outside, one from the hallway and a double door joining the classroom next door. These doorways take up a substantial amount of space, as they all need to be accessible.
The children are arranged in three groups of six and one group of five. They sit at
tables, so their materials need to be kept on the table or in their “crate” in the hallway. In addition textbooks are stored on shelves or carts in the room. Each child is assigned a number and numbers are placed on textbooks and computers. So, when Ms. Clarke tells the children to get their science books, the children go to the cart with the science books and take the number that they were assigned. At first glance the room appears a bit cluttered however, every space is used in a productive way. The children know where to retrieve their mail, where to sign in for lunch, and get books among other things.
Ms. Clarke has definitely made the effort to create a child-oriented space for her students. Their world region projects hang from a thin wire that stretches from one end of the room to the other. Their names are on the “helper board”, lunch sign-in, birthday board as well as a mail slot for each student. There is a “places I have been” board where children bring in photos of a place they have vacationed. Recently, the children brought in a baby picture of themselves; the photos are posted on a board with a number next to each photo. The children are going to have a contest to see who can identify the most babies.
There are a number of technology items in the room. Ms. Clarke uses the Document Camera a great deal. This tool allows her to project onto screen worksheets as well as other things she wants to share with the class. The children also use the Document Camera when they are sharing their work with the class. There is a Smart board in the room however, I have never seen Ms. Clarke us it; I would love to see the Smart board in action. Computers are shared with the neighboring classroom, when the children use them they go next door and get the computer that corresponds with their assigned number. The children also had the opportunity to use a video recorder to tape each other’s oral book reports.
When transitioning from one activity to the next Ms. Clarke makes an announcement of the transition. There is also a daily schedule on the front board with a schedule of each activity/subject and the time that activity/subject will begin.
Teaching in the environment plays an enormous role in how effective the teacher is and how comfortable the children feel in their classroom. Displaying student’s names, photos and works in the classroom make the room their space; the children feel a sense of ownership and belonging. There will never be another space just like “their space” as it will change next year when a new group of students create a space that belongs to them. Physical space always appears to be a great challenge to teachers; there is never enough room. Creativity is key to making the space you as a teacher have, work to your advantage. Making things portable, such as the “portable word wall “ suggested in Teach Our Children Well. Or, a space that can quickly be created, for example moving some desks/tables and roll rug to create a “magic carpet area” for reading. Space will always be an issue, we as teachers must take the challenge of creating a welcoming and effective learning environment in whatever space we have to work with.