Classroom Design: What's on Your Mind?

As a teacher or parent, what is important to you about the design of your classroom? Does it need to be a particular size? Is natural light important? Do you prefer one big open space, or a space that is divided into areas?

How do you imagine the children, or your child in particular, moving throughout the space? Do you want them to be able to run around the classroom? Do you want their movement to be constricted in any way, by the arrangement of furniture in the room? Do you want their movement to be directed by the structural design of the space, such as the location of walls, built-in nooks, doors?

How would you like the space to feel? Cozy? Clinical? Warm? Homey? Modern? Minimalist? Cluttered?

What kind of space do you imagine your child, or the children in your class, liking? Is what you imagine a child to like the same as what you like? Is it different?

If you could start from scratch, what would you do?

Meeting of the Minds

I think there's a need for more forums for teachers and parents to come together to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully about their thoughts on education. I'd like this blog to serve as such a forum. I'll share my ideas and I encourage other teachers, parents, and any interested parties to do the same. I generally try to avoid using cliches, but in this case I think the cliche is true: teachers and parents need to be partners in their children's education. In order to find success as partners, and ultimately succeed in providing quality education for children, teachers and parents must find ways to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully. Similarly, teachers need to come together with each other to share ideas and collaborate. I invite you to tell me what's on your mind!