The physical layout and design of a classroom is important for creating an optimal learning environment. Teachers should arrange desks to facilitate eye contact and accessibility to all students. A variety of learning areas with different lighting and informal seating options allows students to move around and learn in different ways. Creative teachers design innovative classroom spaces through additions like specialized desks, stacked storage boxes, and multi-purpose lofts to enhance learning.

1. Classroom Organization: The Physical Environment

2. The Physical Environment Warm, well-run classrooms begin with the room's physical layout — the arrangement of desks and working space, the attractiveness and appeal of bulletin boards, the storage of materials and supplies.

3. Arranging Space Physical space reflects your teaching style. Give a personal touch. Physical environment is another “teacher”. Visit other classrooms to get new ideas. Create different areas within the classroom. Make materials easily accessible to eliminate delays and disruptions.

4. Desk Placement Arrange desks to you can have eye contact with each student. Make it easy to reach each student. Don't be afraid to make seat and desk changes if the arrangement doesn't work.

5. Environmental Preferences Create both well-lit and dimly-lit areas in the classroom . Provide opportunities for children to move around . Establish informal furniture arrangements . Establish listening stations . Help students become aware of their own temperature preferences.

6. Designing Classroom Space The sky's the limit when it comes to designing classroom space. Beverly Kirk, from Carson City Nevada, had her husband make a special desk with a recessed top to keep math manipulatives in one place. Marilyn Aldrich, from West Hampton Beach, New York, uses flat pizza boxes, stacked for storage, to house math manipulatives and other materials. And Jack George, who teaches fourth grades in Rome, New York, built an eight-foot high loft (it can hold six children) in his classroom that functions as a puppet theatre, quiet reading/writing space, teaching platform, private conference center, test make-up area, and place to stage skits, science experiments, and more.

7. Just Do It! Take a chance on a wild idea to motivate your students to be the best they can. To teach them to take risks, you must do the same. Start with your classroom design!