Third grade students redesigned their classroom by learning how to scale furniture and create 2D and 3D floor plans. They scaled furniture models, created floor plans at 1/4 inch scale, and made 3D objects to scale. Students tested a design without tables and found it difficult to work in. They then introduced 3 tables with 6 seats each. In the new design, students found more comfortable and flexible work spaces that allowed for reading, writing, math and collaboration in groups.

1. Third Grade Room Redesign Third Grade Room Redesign Project

2. Professional architects show third graders how to scale furniture.

3. Third graders scale all of the furniture in their classroom.

4. With care and precision, students sketch all of their furniture at ¼ inch scale.

5. What happens in our classroom? Reading Writing Math Project Time We need Space to read Space on the floor Tables and workspaces Rugs Bookshelves to store things Space to work in groups Things to lean against Comfortable seating Places to do messy work

6. Students create 2D ¼ inch scale floor plans to show how they’d design the classroom

7. Third graders enlarge their 2D floor plan to ¼ inch scale.

8. ½ inch scaling for 3D floor plan

9. Third graders learn how to make 3D objects to scale.

10. Trying out the “no tables in the classroom” design.

11. Most students find it very difficult and uncomfortable to write in this design.

12. Students reintroduce 3 tables with 6 seats each.

13. While the tables work well, the seating is crowded.

14. Students work together to move furniture to create the new classroom design.

15. Many hands make light work.

16. Design 1 Likes: More comfortable More space on the floor More space to work in groups Feels like my own living room Dislikes: Rolling chair area is tight Supplies are difficult to get to Meeting space is tight

17. Reading workshop with the new furniture design

18. Finding new reading spaces on the rug

19. Math small group finds a space on the rug.

20. The new design allows math groups to spread out and find individual work space.

21. Students’ findings: Ownership of a room increases productivity and collaboration.