Adequacy of Space

Reflection Questions

Do you think the space suits learners’ needs? 
Can you alter your classroom to suit the needs of learners? 
Is the class set up to promote good interaction? 
Does the space facilitate learning opportunities? 
Does the seating plan optimise learning? 
Does the seating plan meet specific needs?  Is there space to set up an individual workstation or quiet area/safe space if required? 

Actions/Strategies

Self-reflect – Take a look around your other classrooms/ELC settings in your school.  Are there spaces that you think you could consider for your own classroom?

Work through – UNESCO – Reaching out to all Learners – Guide 2

Carry out – Learner discussion template – Adaptive spaces.pdf – Google Drive

Look at – 902e4a_6aa724a74ba04b46b716e528b92ad7fc.pdf (cleverclassroomsdesign.co.uk) Pg28-36

Think about: 
Use of clipboards to allow flexible seating around the class and outdoors 
Are there opportunities for  learners to stand to complete tasks if preferred?  
Literacy zones can be a space for reading aloud to a partner or reading buddy from another class.
Allow element of choice around when to access zones and who to learn with.
Plan for movement breaks to allow and encourage learners to get up and move around.  This can be in any way that you show them or they come up with themselves.  This will allow them to have a break and get ready to re-engage with the next activity.

Further Reading/Watching

Calming Corners in the Classroom (youtube.com) 

Calming Corners (youtube.com)

Flexible Classrooms: Providing the Learning Environment That Kids Need (youtube.com)

In the classroom: Planning your learning spaces environments (headteacher-update.com)

Flexible Classrooms: Making Space for Personalized Learning (youtube.com)

Learning Centers | Teaching Strategies #8 (youtube.com)

Flexible Classrooms: Research Is Scarce, But Promising | Edutopia

Incorporating movement breaks into primary school classrooms; a mixed methods approach to explore the perceptions of pupils, staff and governors | BMC Public Health | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

Movement Breaks in the Classroom – Teaching Autism

NCSE-Movement-Breaks-in-the-Classroom-Booklet.pdf

Movement or Sensory Breaks – Cosmic Kids Yoga – YouTube, Debbie Doo TV, GoNoodle Home, The Learning Station

Let_s_move_on.pdf (dghscp.co.uk)