1. Rationale
EDUC 4203
Alexandra Moore
Classroom Map
The first thing I think of about classrooms is that it should be like similar to a home. The
teacher and students should have individual space and shared space. It should also have a space
for outsiders to come in and feel welcome as well. When I think of an outsider I mean special
education aides, speech teachers and anyone else who comes in to assist students during the day.
However, unlike a home the classroom needs to be centered on learning not entertaining. I think
educational posters hung up on the wall are a great way to motivate students to focus on learning.
For example posters about the writing process and editing procedures would be very helpful to
third graders that are learning to write.
One of my favorite things to see inside a classroom is work students have done hung up. I
would have two places for students to hang up work they are proud of. One place I would have
students put work in on their lockers. If they drew a picture of something that they are proud of
they can tape it up on their own locker. This way everyone will know whose work is whose and
the students have control over what they share. Another place I want to have student work is a
bulletin board located close to the entrance of the classroom so it is one of the first things you see
walking in. Each week or two I will put up an assignment on the board for everyone to see. The
entire class will always have something on display to show they are a part of the classroom.
One thing that the classroom I am currently in has is windows. However the windows are
covered up and never opened. I would like to change that because I think being able to see
outside make the room feels more open. There is also a natural light that is usually provided by
windows which is much more comfortable than the harsh lights in a normal classroom. In the
class we do a lot of writing and I think having an open window would be a great source of escape

2. and imagination for students. When the students are writing and trying to be creative they can
look outside into the world and start creating a new one. I would place the windows at the back
of the room so students could enjoy them but they wouldn’t become a distraction. If everyone is
looking behind them outside and not up at the teacher at the front of the room then that when the
blinds could go down. I think there has to be a good balance in every classroom of having things
like decorations and windows because they can become distractors.
Another important thing in a classroom is how people will navigate themselves with
other people furniture and other objects creating obstacles. The room needs to be well planned
so that any student with disabilities will be able to navigate around and participate with other
students without any obstacles. I purposefully spread out the entire room so every student could
have access and no one would be limited or left out. I only put desks in small groups of two or
four. I kept things that can get cluttered easily like book shelves to the corners of the room so
there would less likely be an obstacle for a student who uses a wheelchair.
All of the instruction will be given at the front of the class where the Promethean board
and white board are located. I will also have my desk located at the front of the room so
whenever I am talking the students will know exactly where to look. I think using the
Promethean board will be a big part of my lessons. I can use it to keep students involved in what
we are learning and hopefully interested too. For example I would have students draw their own
graphic organizers after reading a text. This would be a class effort that would help me assess the
students’ knowledge of what was just read. I think this would be especially helpful when
reading efferent texts that are sometimes hard to understand for students.

3. The book shelves in the classroom would be full of books that are at, below and above
grade level so that all students could have something to read. I would put on top display books
that have something to do with a topic we are discussing in class. For example if it is Black
History Month I would have books about great African Americans like Rosa Parks. Students
who were intrigued by what we discussed could further their knowledge by picking up one of
these books. Students would also be able to check out the books over long breaks like they would
at the normal school library. I would also read the books on my book shelf so I could discuss it
with my students and be a positive model of an avid reader.
In the classroom I will also have an area in the back for individual work or one on one
work with a specialist or teacher. I want there to be an independent area in the classroom for
special work that does not fit with the rest of the class. I think having this area will make
outsiders of our class feel more welcomed and provide them space to work. I think when this
desk is not being occupied by a visitor it can also be used by students. Students can work there
when they need their space for example to start the writing process. Sometimes getting up and
moving to a new place can help students get the creative juices flowing. I think this would also
help to ensure the back area doesn’t just become stigmatized as a spot for only those who need
help with school work. Instead it will be a spot for students to help each other and themselves.
Overall I want to maintain a classroom that is well organized but still have plenty of
resources and materials for the students to use to learn. I want the set up to allowfor group
collaboration but also provide individual space for each student.When a visitor walks in I want
them to be able to tell the students are thinking, creating and learning.