My name is Jordan and I'm a SPED major at Cedarville University but alumni from Chantilly High School in NOVA. I think @LaurenWillow14 should join and witness what it is like at a #novaedchat
A1 for a #SPED classroom, space can be very important whether it is for wheelchair or a students needs space to roam around while they learn #novaedchat
Love this. Right now we do not have a lab so we are trying to blend the library into a library/learner/tech space. This looks like a good start! #NoVAedChat
Giant open spaces between classes (that have all glass window/walls), furniture with wheels, soft cushy seats, tall tables and chairs, plugs for power, etc...
A1 I do not have a space right now but I used to have Ss move around (desks and all) constantly to suit their learning & the activity. I would have liked to get rid of the desks altogether but I never got there! #NoVAedChat
Our library is right next door so we tend to flow back and forth between the two spaces at times. This is our library. Very cool space too. #novaedchat
A1 For me as a current student, I need windows to give me hope there is an outside world but I need them higher up so that I don't get distracted #novaedchat
See, this is where I struggle. We still do long hand writing and other things that really do require a desk. How do you strike the balance? #novaedchat
A2 it is hard in college because they can't decorate the classroom except in the education building where there are posters and color everywhere. I focus best in those classrooms #novaedchat
A1: I've visited some wonderful classes lately that have room for #collaboration, varied styles of furniture, and areas for individual work that promote #reflection#NoVAedChat
A2: I’d love to have more flexibility with the lab. A half wall down the center of the lab limits what we can do... would love more room for floor level collaborative #makerspace areas. Currently have only one round table with no legs so it is kneeling height. #NoVAedChat
A2 I would like to change the style of desks so it created more room, more possibilities for Ss to collab or create their own space in the room, more wall space for writing in dry erase :) and displaying student work #novaedchat
A2: Ergonomic design, plugs-a-plenty, and wheels on everything! We limit ourselves on accident when a room is set up wrong. #fengshui is a real thing. #NoVAedChat
A2: 1 of my current schools is 2 schools combined into one campus waiting on a brand new campus to be built. The rooms are small, minimal storage, crappy windows. I’d love a more open space for those Ts and Ss. 2.5 more years! #NoVAedchat
A2 I just want to see more options for students and teachers alike. In the ideal world it would shift to that class's needs each year... But again. Ideal situation. One day <3 #NoVAedChat
A2 with 1:1, there are some real logistical issues with only having 4 plugs in a room. My space is kind of limited so I try to find ways to go (literally) outside the box! #NoVAedChat
Natural light changes things! It's just not the same without windows. I've taught in classrooms with basically a wall full of windows and now without. Lighting matters! #NoVAedchat
A2: I really like to move my tables around for different activities. I have lab benches and they are cumbersome. I also don’t have comfy seating since safety is a concern in the lab.
This is so true. I made changes from last year to this year and the students have noticed. Large colorful carpets for working on the floor, kneel height round table and cushions for working on the floor and room to work in different spaces. #novaedchat
Routines as well as options. We've had a lot of success with choices in SpEd Self Contained classrooms. Desks on wheels, stand/sit options, ball chairs #novaedchat
I think this depends on the classroom because in a #SPED classroom, change may cause disturbance while in a #GENED classroom, change can bring creativity and productivity
Right? Chantilly is the epicenter of no-natural light. It's probably the only thing I don't like about the place. Aaaaand that it's not in Charleston ;) #NoVAedchat
Q3: What are “must have” requirements in your classroom environment? These might be physical descriptions or something that you/your students must be able to do. #NoVAedChat
A3 I want a lot of Ss created work on display, a welcoming envt, I have lights up around the room so it is festive, music is a plus, access to devices when we need them #novaedchat
Some Ss at age of 14 still don’t know they may get in trouble b/c they don’t/can’t move around enough. I saved a few of us this yr giving it an “ok” #NoVAedchat
A3 for me, there has to be room for a dance break or gives the chance for the student to move around while learning. I want to integrate #21stcentury learning and my classroom is a big part of that #NoVAedchat
Take the bottom off adjustable leg tables to make floor height tables/pillow seating. That ikea chair is fabulous with no legs. So many LOW cost options! #NoVAedchat
A3 Space to move. I rather have an empty classroom that they can run around in (K-12) than one with 31 desks that they can't move w/o bumping one another. #NoVAedChat
A3: want room for different hands on activities and flexibility to move things around...i created a lego Wall last year on a portable wardrobe (on wheels) and have a magnet marble on the metal ac unit and virtual act. posters to use with iPads on the walls.. want more #novaedchat
Sorry! New to tweeting. Here’s my classroom. I have a floor table, chair table, standing table, bounce seats and camping chairs. They pick where to sit each day.
A3: Flexibility! Ease of access to supplies and power. A variety of seating options, natural light, wheels!Also having a space students can feel control and ownership over. #NoVAedchat
A3 a variety of spaces for different activities! We do LOTS of different things to learn... why do it all in the same spot? Also, space for movement! #NoVAedchat#ImWigglyToo
Two of our Ts just got new standing tables and were struggling with the setup... so they asked the students! Who came up with a fab arrangement! #NoVAedchat#studentchoice
I actually just made my office more flexible for seating. Moved my desk and added a “bungee” chair which i 💜. Sit there with laptop in my lab. #relaxing#NoVAedchat
#novaedchat A1: I have my groups arranged in collaborative groups. I have stations around the room for community supplies, plants, animals, books, and resources.
Having a fun room that encourages students to be excited to learn. This can be done using a fun theme. Ex: a 3rd grade teacher at my elem. school has her room like a jungle full of monkeys and comfortable furniture for independent learning #NoVAedchat
A4: Sitting in a deal for 7 hrs is no way to learn. Have you watched adults try to do this? Ss need movement and the ability to start choosing how they learn best. #NoVAedchat
A3: lighting is really important to me. Natural is best and if there are no windows, lamps are a necessity to warm up the room! A way to do teamwork is also a must! #NoVAedchat
Q3: What are “must have” requirements in your classroom environment? These might be physical descriptions or something that you/your students must be able to do. #NoVAedChat
A4: flex space is good for collaboration, meets Ss and Ts need to move, lay down, “bounce” - can be distracting and young Ss - management is important. #NoVAedChat
Oh my word, I have about 35 minutes in me and I have to move. I can't imagine what my kids went through...90 mins in a hideous chair #noThanks#NoVAedchat
A4 I think a big challenge is always the classroom management of such a big change. Perhaps scaffolding the change if you aren't starting the year off fresh with a new room. #NoVAedChat
A4 having different physical options, when done correctly, can make students excited to come to class to see whats new in the classroom. This can also become distracting so maybe make it only once a week or month #NoVAedChat
A3: #novaedchat I have to have organized areas for work, storage, and displays. I teach 24 classes that are grades K-5, and I only have them 1 hour a week. The room works if the students know where to easily find everything. I always have plants and animals!!
A4 I have a S who has hard time controlling himself. I separate him & he does well, but minute I mix him in 2another’s relaxing spot, he destroys all around him #NoVAedchat
A4 Less structured, more comfortable and open to collaboration, choices for Ss, challenges are having enough space, setting some guidelines for behaviors, but involve Ss in discussion #novaedchat
@Rdene915 I think this is an important, often overlooked point! Explicit discussion of WHY we choose spaces, how we behave, etc WITH our students! #NoVAedchat
A4 Less structured, more comfortable and open to collaboration, choices for Ss, challenges are having enough space, setting some guidelines for behaviors, but involve Ss in discussion #novaedchat
A3: #novaedchat My other space is an outdoor classroom. We have organized the space to have permanent things like garden boxes, trees, and bushes. The seating in the outdoor classroom is easy to relocate for flexibility! Our Eco-Action Club and STEAM groups plan the gardens.
A4: space needs to be provided for the different activities- quiet work, collaborative space, standing space, charging space. Lots of things to consider. Needs change for Ss each period. #novaedchat
I just love going outside. Last year one of my favorite days was when we had "DEAR" time outside. So much engagement for going two steps out the door. #NoVAedChat
Q5: What is a first step (small change) you can make during December to add some flexibility in environment for your students (or yourself)? #NoVAedChat
Q5: #novaedchat If the weather is warm, I will teach in the Outdoor Classroom. The students just need to bring a coat! The gardens still smell so wonderful, and that environment is naturally calming. My biggest problem is it isn't near my classroom, so I have to haul so much.
A5 I’ve been working to clear out as much furniture as I can from my room (cracks me up when it ends up in other people’s rooms!) less stuff = more room for learning #NoVAedchat
A5 I don't have a classroom but maybe to pull something new out of a hat everyday to change in the classroom which can be related to the next unit of study or maybe a modern issue/event #NoVAedChat
A5 I’ve been working to clear out as much furniture as I can from my room (cracks me up when it ends up in other people’s rooms!) less stuff = more room for learning #NoVAedchat
A5 talk to your students about what they want. They are going to be impacted the most, it could be powerful to start with their ideas and build up! #NoVAedChat
A5 talk to your students about what they want. They are going to be impacted the most, it could be powerful to start with their ideas and build up! #NoVAedChat
To all my CHS peeps in #novaedchat I was in Teachers for Tomorrow with Mrs. Piotrowski and I learned a lot but it was all the teachers I did and didn't have with things as simple as their classroom! People are always watching and learning! :)
I am introducing it this week and we will continue to work throughout the year. The kiddos with the cups or doing an #unplugged human robot cup stacking code, the kiddos at the low table are coding #ozobots and the Ss at computers https://t.co/1fVDYQGV7l#novaedchat
A6: lose some more desks... and maybe a bookshelf. I need to take full advantage of the other spaces that are available for storage. New mantra: MY CLASSROOM IS NOT A CLOSET! #NoVAedchat
A6 Get this transformation started. Even if it's a blueprint. WITH as much student input as humanly possible. Also, carve a window in my office. #NoVAedChat
