The classroom is a place where learners meet to share knowledge. This space has existed since the dawn of time and has been used for various purposes. Throughout history, classrooms have been built to allow teachers to share their knowledge with students.
Classrooms can be found in almost any place imaginable, whether at home, at school or at work. A classroom is also a space that comes with a set of rules that must be followed by anyone who enters it. There are different types of classrooms, each designed to meet different needs and stakeholders. Although today there are many types of classrooms.
Looking for a clear classroom definition and examples? In this handy guide, we'll talk about the wonderful world of classrooms, examples of different setups, and how to improve yours to make it twice as appealing to kids.
Classroom: definition:
The definition of a classroom can be understood as a room in a school where lessons take place. Teachers go there to grade assignments, plan lessons and teach their students.
All the children who attend school go to the classroom daily to learn and meet their peers and teachers. In a school, there are usually several classrooms for different age groups and different school subjects.
What should a primary school classroom look like?
Now that we have an idea of the definition of a classroom, let's see some examples of what you can expect to find there. A classroom is usually filled with a number of different objects intended to facilitate learning and help children.
It can be some of the following:
Materials for writing and studying, for example stationery.
Textbooks and learning resources.
Storybooks for group reading.
Storage containers, such as trays and cabinets to store and organize everything.
Exhibition materials, such as banners, streamers and posters, so that children and teachers have a beautiful colorful image.
Small desks, tables and chairs for students to sit and learn.
A blackboard, whiteboard or classroom projector for the teacher to deliver a lesson, illustrate ideas and explain them.
Beanbags and a rug for the children and their teacher to gather in a circle. You can discuss topics, do group reading and fun activities.
Creative materials such as crayons, markers, fabrics, paint and glue for coloring, collages and crafts.
A clock on the wall so that lessons start and end on time!
A ruler, a square and an abacus (a counting frame) for learning mathematics.
Computers to use the Internet for independent research and writing assignments.
Furnish a college and high school classroom
More and more, you find that you are not alone in your college classroom. Sometimes teaching teams disagree on how to arrange the tables in a classroom. You may think you have to be accommodating and flexible to adapt. However, if the layout of the room is not conducive to certain activities, it can become an additional constraint to be taken into account in the development of a sequence. The working conditions of the students will be referenced by the layout of the room, in addition to your own positioning. Let's explore the different table layouts in the classroom to determine which activities are most appropriate.
Arrange student tables in rows
Classroom management is made easier because students are supposed to have only one neighbor with whom they might be tempted to chat, in this most traditional arrangement. The students do not see who is behind or in front of them, and whoever is in front of them has his back to them… Unless, of course, if the students know how to turn around and do so.
Put the tables in U
In language classes, the tables are often arranged in a U, which makes them more engaging for a French class. However, this arrangement would be ideal. When the tables are arranged in a U, the students can see and hear each other well. They can then apply themselves as a whole class, challenging and countering each other. Since they can move around more easily, they are more likely to be distracted. Group and pair projects are also more difficult.
In addition, the teacher has to walk between two tables, which prevents him from seeing everything. The larger audience in a presentation is due to the students seeing each other. The teacher therefore finds it difficult to supervise the students. It is more difficult for the teacher to keep an eye on the whole class.
Arrange the tables in an island
The island configuration is ideal for allowing groups of students to establish collaborative exchanges in small groups or to set up educational differentiation.
Lectures are split in this configuration. The teacher travels from island to island to meet the students, rather than becoming the focal point of the lesson. The teacher is therefore closer and more accessible. In addition, students are more inclined to ask questions, because the gaze of others is less weighty. In addition, the shyest and most vulnerable students become more involved and active thanks to this configuration.
Collaborative activities should be defined and organized to avoid excessive chatter. The teacher must therefore repeat the same explanation several times during the course, because the same questions will be asked several times.
How to manage the blackboard in class?
The board is a memorization tool for the things you want your students to remember. It is also a useful tool to help you follow the lesson. What should your table look like? How can you organize it?
Stand to the right:
When writing on the board, you can step aside without hiding what you are writing and keep eye contact with your students.
Prepare your text:
Prepare in advance what you are going to write on the board. You can imagine an A4 sheet as a board and write your text on it in advance, then copy this prepared text on the class board.
Be ordered :
Do your best to keep your writing crisp and clear. You can go to the back of the class and check how your board looks. Your handwriting should be large and straight. If you think something is not clear enough, you can erase it and write it again.
Keeping students' attention:
As you write, keep your students' attention by reading key words and phrases aloud. You can also pause for a moment and ask a student to read what you have written.
Give clear instructions:
Tell students exactly what you want them to copy and when you want them to finish copying. Once you're done, stand back and let them finish copying. When the time is up, say "Stop copying." You can continue to copy when I have finished explaining”.
Organize your board:
You can divide the board into three sections: the left section for vocabulary and key phrases, the right section for questions or homework, and the center section for main structures or language emphasis. Try to leave space under each section for temporary items that you can erase as the lesson progresses.
Highlight the important elements:
Important characteristics are the points that you want your students to distinguish and remember. For example, auxiliary verbs, irregular endings, pronouns, contracted forms…etc. You can do this by underlining them, using different colored pens/chalks, circling them, or even italicizing them.
Using Tables for Incentive:
Build these tables with the students. Then use them for controlled exercises that aim to achieve precision, such as substitution and transformation exercises.
Use diagrams, mind/word maps and timelines:
You can use these chalkboard aids to clarify time, space, quantity, or to increase vocabulary stock.
Pasting objects to the board:
You can use the table surface to display all kinds of items. For example, you can paste posters, flash cards, pictures, etc. and ask students to come to the board for oral work showing or talking about these items.
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