1. Laura Schultz 3/1/16 Classroom Design First Grade

2. Security and Shelter
This function has to do with students feeling safe in the classroom. They need to feel safe physically and emotionally.
In my practicum classroom, I saw this function all over. The classroom felt safe physically because once inside, the door was always closed. Students know that they are safe because they have a roof over their heads and the classroom is heated/cooled to what it needs to be.

3. Social Contact
This function has to do with the interaction between students and the interaction between teachers and students. Social contact in the classroom needs to place emphasis on cooperative learning.
In my practicum classroom, I saw social contact in how the students desks were arranged. Every student is in a group and is able to work with peers when told to, but is also in the situation where they can work alone. The room is also set up where it is easy for the teacher to move around to each student quickly and efficiently.

4. Symbolic Identification
This function has to do with students feeling like they belong to something. Students see this with their artwork being on the walls and also in behavior charts.
In my practicum classroom, there is student work both inside and outside the classroom. They always get so excited when I walk in and they can show me the special project they have completed. This makes them feel like they are part of the community. The behavior chart makes them aware and responsible of their actions.

5. Task Instrumentality
This function has to do with having tools to keep everything in the class in order.
In my practicum class, there are buckets of pencils and other supplies in the middle of each group of desks. This means that supplies are accessible at all times for every student so that they don’t have to interrupt the class to ask for something. The class helpers chart is in the front of the room so that everybody knows who is supposed to be doing what.

6. Pleasure
This function has to do with the students finding the classroom to be attracting and pleasing. Students should want to come to your classroom.
In my practicum classroom, I saw this function in the “comfy” spots that the teacher has around the classroom. There are cool colored beach chairs and pads for the students to sit on.

7. Growth
This function has to do with the classroom promoting cognitive development and academic achievement.
In my practicum classroom, a center station was set up in the front of the class. During down time or free time the students are able to grab something from these shelves to continue their
learning. Also, the students know that if they stay on green the whole week on the behavior chart, they can get something out of the treasure box (pictured on the right) on Friday.