Room 16 Design Ashley Slater February 26, 2015 Classroom Design First Grade

Security & Shelter  This function provides physical and psychological security to students. This is the most fundamental function. Without a function of security and shelter in the classroom, other needs cannot be met. The couch/ reading area are examples of the security & shelter function because it is a comfy area where students can feel free to get away from the rest of the classroom.

Social Contact  The social contact function ensures that students can interact with each other. This can be influenced by desk arrangement and positions. Desks are arranged in groups of 4-5 to maximize interaction. This is beneficial for group work.

Symbolic Interaction  The symbolic interaction function deals with showing the teacher and students personalities around the classroom. This function can be seen in students work around the classroom. Someone who walks in would have insight on student interests and activities just by looking around. The picture on the left is an example of this function because it has a project that the class did as a whole (white poster). The picture on the right is an example of this function because the teacher has pictures of her family and other artifacts on her desk that show her personality.

Task Instrumentality  The task instrumentality function ensures that the classroom environment helps carry out activities and procedures. The room needs to be designed with different tasks in mind. Both of these pictures are examples of task instrumentality. Classroom materials are organized and accessible to students. The picture on the left has personal shelves for students to keep their belongings.

Pleasure  Classrooms should be attractive and inviting, but not over stimulating. There should be a variety of colors, textures, spaces, and surfaces. These photos were taken at different angles of the classroom. The room has a variety of colors, comfy spaces, and personal touches.

Growth  Each classroom should include elements that help students grow cognitively and physically. These elements should change throughout the year. This picture is an example of the growth function because it shows a variety of books in the classroom library. This allows students to have access to books at their changing reading level throughout the year.

Works Cited  All pictures were taken in Ms. Lang’s first grade classroom at Maude Trevvett Elementary School.  Romano, M. E. & Weinstein, C.S. (2015). Elementary Classroom Management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.