Classroom

Environment and
Classroom
Community
By: Carleigh Olive and Mia Zaccaro
In-Class Activity
● 2 truths and a lie
● Each person will get a piece of
paper
○ Write down two facts about you
that are true and one fact that is
a lie
● After filling out the sheet, gather the
chairs in a circle
● Discuss and determine the lies!
 Classroom Community Classroom Environment

● A space where students ● The physical, social, and

come together to feel a emotional climate of a
physical or virtual
sense of belonging and
classroom
share a common goal of Encourage
● ● Focused on the feel of
learning student the classroom and the
● Focused on the teacher success climate that is created
and student bond ● Want the
● Environment is focused
Connections and being best for
● on the mood, attitudes,
teachers
able to openly and standards of the
and
communicate with your students teacher and students
peers ● Focused on the
● Focused on the feeling structural elements of a
students have classroom
Why is it important?
Attention High level
thinking

Motivation Participation

Focus Student engagement

Classroom Layout
● Arrange desks so students can talk to one
another
● Decorate your classroom
○ Plants and nature allow the students to feel
relaxed and grounded
● Include colors and soft lighting
● Display student work
● Create a gathering space for all students to
meet
○ Cozy pillows or furniture will allow students to
feel safe and comfortable
Reggio Emilia Approach
● Defines the environment as the third
teacher
● The classroom is filled with natural
elements
○ Seashells
○ Musical instruments
○ Leaves
○ Vines
● Dim or natural lighting to calm the
students encouraging focus
● Avoid desks and chairs
● Open space for student exploration
How to Create a Safe Space
● Ensure students know that your classroom
is a judgement-free zone
○ Posters
○ Sayings
○ Expectations
● Allow them to express themselves and their
worries
○ Be open to conversations
○ Prioritize their feelings
● Create routines so the students have
structure
○ Allows students to feel at ease when they know
what is coming next
● Understand that everything you say and do
has an impact on the students
Teacher-Student Feedback
● Giving constructive feedback has been
proven to create a supportive environment
○ Important to tell the students when they are doing
something right
● Shows students you care about their
learning
● Creates an environment that allows students
to make mistakes
● If a student raises their hand provide a
positive remark even if the answer was not
correct
● Make sure the feedback is timely
Teacher Organization
● Creating a clear routine and plan reduces
stress and anxiety in the classroom
○ Rules, procedures, and routines allow
students to support one another
● Regularly create lessons that allow students
to collaborate and work together
● Be clear about the material that may be on
a quiz or test
● Prepare the students for the material inside
of the classroom but also outside of the
classroom
Avoid Silence
● Noise related to certain
activities demonstrates
collaboration and peer work
● Encourages to engage and
interact with one another
● Create projects or
experiments that allow
students to collaborate and
share ideas
Discussion Questions
● What is one item that you would include in your
classroom now? Why would you pick this item?
● Why is avoiding silence important in a classroom?
● Why is the classroom environment essential for
student learning?
How to Create a Good Classroom Community
★ Create a positive ★ Give
and warm students a
environment voice

★ Hold weekly ★ Work with

meetings students on
a shared
goal
Weekly Meetings
● Check in with how students feel
about the course
● Let them express improvements to
the class
● Give them time to share how their
week was
● Let students bring up concerns
(school, personal life, etc)
Work on a Shared Goal
● Creates a sense of community
● Makes what students learn more
meaningful
● Improves relationships among
students
● Promotes discussion
Giving Students a Voice
● Allow students to have a say in what
their learning looks like
● Allows them to voice positives and
negatives of the class
● Creates trust
● Makes students invested in learning
● Allow students to set their own
goals and rules
Create a Constructive Environment
● There cannot be a
good classroom
community without a
good classroom
environment

● Constructive ● Students learn

environments foster better when there
better communities is a safe
environment and
strong community
How would you Expand in your Own Classroom?

What is the best way to promote a good classroom

community?
Exit Ticket
Write down two things you learned today
Works Cited
“Classroom Environment Strategies: Center for Teaching Innovation.” Classroom Environment Strategies | Center for Teaching Innovation,
https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/teaching-cornell-guide/instructional-strategies/classroom-environment-strategies#Ambrose.

DeBruler, Kristen, et al. “How Implementing Voice & Choice Can Improve Student Engagement.” Michigan Virtual, 8 Dec. 2020,
https://michiganvirtual.org/blog/how-implementing-voice-choice-can-improve-student-engagement/#:~:text=Giving%20students%20voice%20and%20choice,being%20simply%20delivered%20to
%20them.

Goodwin University Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). “The Reggio Emilia
Environment: Goodwin College.” Goodwin University, 2 Jan. 2020, https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/reggio-emilia-classroom-environment/.

Monteiro, Vera, et al. “Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment through Effective Feedback: Effects on Students' School Identification and Behavioral Engagement.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1
Jan. 2001, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2021.661736/full.

National Society of High School Scholars. “5 Strategies for Building Community in the Classroom.” National Society of High School Scholars,
https://www.nshss.org/blog/5-strategies-for-building-community-in-the-classroom/#:~:text=A%20simple%20but%20effective%20way,on%20how%20everyone%20is%20doing.

Phillips, Mark. “A Place for Learning: The Physical Environment of Classrooms.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 5 Aug. 2014,
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-physical-environment-of-classrooms-mark-phillips.

Rimm-Kaufman, Sara, and Lia Sandilos. “Improving Students' Relationships with Teachers.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, Mar. 2015,
https://www.apa.org/education-career/k12/relationships#:~:text=The%20student%20is%20likely%20to,achieve%20at%20higher%20levels%20academically.

“Shaping a Positive Learning Environment.” Teaching and Learning Resource Center, https://teaching.resources.osu.edu/teaching-topics/shaping-positive-learning.

“The Importance of an Engaged Learning Environment.” The School in Rose Valley, https://www.theschoolinrosevalley.org/engaged-learning-environment/.