Classroom Rooms In Elementary Schools

From my time in ELED class, and observing in an actual classroom, I have learned much more about education than I previously knew. This semester has changed the way I think about education going into the future. Classroom layouts have changed, as well as the way teachers, students, and parents interact with each other. The behavior of students in 2016 is also different than it has been in the previous years. There are many more diverse classrooms with students who have different learning capabilities, and cultures. I have learn more about my philosophy towards teaching, what it means, and how it has changed throughout this semester.
Classroom Layout
Classrooms in elementary schools are set up differently than they were in the past. More and more teachers are using clusters of tables, and grouping the students around them. In the past most classrooms had desks aligned in rows. In my opinion, using tables in the classroom is much better for the students than using desks put in rows. Tables set up in clusters allow students to communicate more effectively with their peers. They also encourage cooperation, and provides easy access to move around the classroom. According to Wallace (2001), small group settings like clusters encourage the audience to take an active role in the …show more content…
I witnessed a good example of this type of interaction. The teacher would gather the students on the carpet then go over the lesson that was planned. She would ask questions after discussing the lesson, and encourage her students to answer while being respectful to others by not shouting. When the students had assignments to do at their tables the teacher would sometimes walk around the room to see if they were doing what they are supposed to. Reading groups gathered at the horseshoe table, and the teacher would work with each student by going over their book and asking