Classroom+Organization


 * Classroom Organization **

The physical make-up of classrooms in ZMS varies from grade level to grade level, subject area to subject area, and teacher to teacher.There are classrooms with bean bag chairs, area rugs, ceiling art, decorative flags, fish tanks, plants, lamps and many other items too numerous to mention.

While on the surface they appear to be dissimilar, there are many qualities that every room at ZMS should have in common.None of these items is inherently more important than the next, but they all work together to create a positive environment conducive to learning.

**Structure:**What is the agenda for the day?What is the homework for today?When is the next test or quiz?If a student is absent, where does she find the make-up work?If a complete stranger walked into the classroom, she should be able to answer the above queries by simply looking around.The structure of a classroom helps to present a sense of purpose and create efficiency – both traits that assist in the learning process.ZMS teachers post the students’ essential information prominently and update it daily.The layout of the classroom is also important.Can the teacher move around comfortably?Can she get to the back of the room as easily as the front?What impact will that have on the type of instruction?These are questions to which there is no one answer, but they are items to be considered when setting up the room.

**Warmth:**ZMS rooms are inviting and comfortable.Many teachers change the lighting, others post student work prominently, and still others display subject area related items throughout the room.Regardless how it is done, the physical make-up of the room portrays that students are welcome and valued, that learning is fun and interesting, and that the teacher cares about what she does.

**Process:**Just as important as the physical make-up are the processes used in the classroom.Most ZMS teachers use a “bell ringer” activity to engage students immediately as they enter the room.Establishing how students turn in work, find make-up work, are dismissed from class, organize themselves, etc., is quite important.For middle school students, learning to organize themselves is a work in progress.Being able to follow the teacher’s model is a great advantage.

All of these items in their own way increase the amount of time and the quality of time spent on what the teacher has planned for the lesson.They are things that should be established before the students begin the school year in order to have the highest level of effectiveness.