View From The Classroom
Creating the perfect environment for learning Jen Fairweather J
en Fairweather has been a teacher for six years and currently teaches Years 1 and 2
at Walton Holymoorside Primary School in Chesterfield. Recognising that the classroom environment can have a significant impact on children’s learning, Jen discusses how she has turned her classroom into a vibrant and productive space; one that motivates her students and encourages them to think creatively.
Tell us a little bit about Walton Holymoorside School. The school caters for boys and girls from 3 to 11 years and currently has a student population of approximately 350, with a 52 place nursery on site. At Walton Holymoorside School our mission statement is, ‘Working, Helping, Progressing and Smiling’; we want to ensure that every student is getting the best out of their education and is given the opportunity to achieve in a positive and healthy learning environment.
What do you consider the key factors contributing to a positive learning environment? The main things for me to ensure a successful learning environment are organisation and atmosphere. Organisation is the key to success in all classrooms, and this leads to comfort and security. This not only involves keeping students informed of what they will be learning and when, but is also about considering the design of the classroom. The physical classroom environment - ranging from the décor to the way the furniture is laid out - has long been seen as an important factor to consider in the effectiveness of student learning. Everything in my classroom is set up at an average sized child’s height and all the resources are organised in a way that is tidy and easy for them to find. I find this promotes independent learning as it enables students to access their own resources. I also use as much wall space as I can to display student work; a recent study by Salford University found that the way a classroom is decorated can have a significant impact on academic success, with individualisation being one of the key factors. While it’s such a simple thing to do, celebrating students’ creations in this way is integral to developing a love for learning, leading to a sense of pride and incentivising them to try their very best.
What methods have you used to improve the physical classroom environment? As a teacher, I think it’s very important to focus on the layout and design of your classroom. I’ve created colourful labels for trays and cupboards to help students navigate their way around the classroom and we also have a class calendar, which I use to keep track of class activities and school council meetings, as well as other
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www.education-today.co.uk May 2015
important events, such as when students are going to each other’s houses and who will be picking them up from school. In this sense it’s not only a great resource for organising the school day, but is also used to ensure that students are kept safe. I use Avery’s Write & Wipe Calendar for this as it’s reusable and can be amended so easily, meaning that when plans inevitably change I’m not left with a calendar full of crossings out! Organising the classroom in this way also helps students to feel that the classroom space is their own, which in turn creates a sense of belonging and a positive attitude to school and learning.
What about to motivate students? We use many different approaches across the school, including reward stickers, interactive games, technology, and child-led initiatives. However, without a doubt, stickers are the most popular among my students. As well as being great for awareness days, I use these to reward good behaviour. I’ve found that stickers are a brilliant and inexpensive way to encourage good
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