1. By: Kelly Curran Media Area Student Seating Bookshelf Computer Station Student Work Restroom Speakers Wheelchair Seating Reading Area Front Board Teacher’s Desk Work Station To classroom Classroom Design Project

2. Door bookshelf Work station restroom Teacher’s desk Computer station Student seating Reading Area Windows White boards Media area Student Work Front Board To Intro page Seat for Wheelchair Speakers

3. Teacher’s Desk To Intro Page To classroom The teacher’s desk and work area will be at the front left corner of the room, to the side of the front board and student seating. On the desk sits a computer that is to be used only by the teacher. This computer can be used for keeping grades, developing programs, creating activities, and other such educational uses. The computer is positioned so that the teacher can work on the computer and watch the students in the classroom at the same time. The microphone in the diagram represents a microphone that the teacher could wear if any student in the classroom had a hearing impairment or had difficulty hearing the teacher speak. Although not shown in the picture, the microphone would be cordless to allow the teacher to move about the room as needed. The speakers in the classroom coordinate with the microphone. Behind the teacher’s desk is a book shelf for the teacher to keep books and resources to refer to throughout the school year. This space will allow the teacher to collect books with activity ideas, suggestions on lesson plans, and other materials that will benefit the education of the students in the classroom.

4. Bookshelf To Intro Page To classroom The book shelf is located in the front right corner of the classroom near the door. This shelf will hold the reading materials that the students in the class will read throughout the semester. Because this is a reading/language arts classroom, a copy of each book will be available for every student in the class. The shelf is located near the door so that students, as they enter the classroom, can take a book to their seat to prepare for class reading and discussion of the book. Class time will be saved by eliminating the step of choosing someone to pass out a book to every student. The shelf can be easily accessed by anyone wanting to catch up or work ahead on classroom reading.

5. Student Work To Intro Page To classroom Because many students in the special education classroom have difficulty staying organized, students will keep all work in a folder. The folders are color-coded based on the class time. This is a high school classroom, so each class period of the day has its own color of folder. Students will be able to find their folder faster and grading of the students’ work will be easier because of the organization. The folders contain hooks down the center to hold loose leaf paper or papers that have been hole-punched. This will prevent students from losing their work and handouts given to the class. This will encourage students to complete all assignments and stay on task and allow the teacher to easily show parents what progress the students have been making. The folders will stay in the classroom at all times so that a student’s entire body of work is not lost. The folders will be located on a waist high book shelf to allow easy access for any student. The book shelf will hold reading materials that the students will be encouraged to read in their free time at their desks or in the reading area located on the opposite side of the room as the shelf.

6. Speakers To Intro Page To classroom Speakers are located near the back of the room on both the left and right side. These are to be used with the microphone at the front of the room on the teacher’s desk. The speakers are placed in the back of the room to allow students to hear the teacher speaking when he/she is instructing from the front of the room or working at the front board. Enabling all students to hear the teacher could decrease behavior problems and allow more students to be able to follow along with classroom activities. Volume on the speakers can be adjusted to the desired level or turned off if the speakers are not needed. The speakers could also be hooked up to the media area to increase the loudness of music listened to or movies watched in the classroom. The speakers will allow all students to participate in the classroom activities.

7. Media Area To Intro Page To classroom The media area is located in the back right corner of the classroom. The media area would consist of a TV, VCR, DVD player, radio/CD player, and a digital/video camera. The electronic equipment is kept in the back of the classroom to prevent students from becoming distracted by it during class lessons and activities. The TV and its accessories can be used to watch informative videos or movies that are appropriate for the classroom. Stereo equipment can be used during independent study time or free time. Some students enjoy listening to music as they work. Headphones will also be provided for students who finish work early and would like to listen privately in the media area. A camera would be available to the students when working on projects relating to the class material. The media equipment will remain in the classroom so that all students in the classroom can benefit from it and so that none is lost or broken while not in the school.

8. Computer Station To Intro Page To classroom A computer work station is located at the rear of the classroom. Four computers are available for student use with a shared printer. Students will have access to basic programs on the computer, such as Microsoft Office, and educational software directed towards the appropriate grade level. Because the students in the class have disabilities in reading and language arts, software directed towards younger reading levels may, in some cases, be appropriate. Students will also have access to the internet through the classroom computers. To monitor the use of the computers, the monitors are facing outwards towards the classroom and the teacher. At any moment, the teacher will be able to see what is on any of the computer screens. To ensure safety and privacy of the students on the internet, an internet filter program will be purchased and installed on all computers in the classroom. Before any internet projects will be conducted, the teacher will explore keywords the students may use in research. The teacher should also have a list of safe sites on the favorites list that are good starting points for research with lots of information. A list of computer rules and safety tips will be placed at the computer station for all student users to see and follow. Students will also be reminded often of the rules and safety tips when using the computers and internet.

9. Restroom To Intro Page To classroom A restroom is located in the back left of the classroom for students who cannot make it to the restroom down the hallway of the school building or those who use the restroom frequently. Although the restroom would benefit some students more than others, it is open to all students in the classroom. The restroom contains a sink and toilet and is wide enough to fit a wheelchair or other piece of assistive equipment. The restroom also contains railings and a stool for those students who wish to use them.

10. Work Station To Intro Page To classroom The work station is located in the back left of the classroom near the restroom. The work station is a round table with chairs. Students who need more space than is available at their desks may do class work at the work station. Some activities may require students to take turns working at the table. The table could be used for a small reading group or discussion group for those students who wish to take part in the extra reading or discussion. The work station is a good area for working on class projects that involve glue, paint, or scissors. Students can surround the table and keep their desk area clean. The station is positioned in the back of the classroom to avoid distraction of students who are not working at the table. It is also next to the bathroom so that students can clean up any mess at the table without leaving the classroom or moving a mess across the classroom. Students are able to wash their hands when needed without moving about the classroom too much.

11. Reading Area To Intro Page To classroom A small reading area is located near the windows, teacher’s desk, and work station. The area consists of a small couch and floor lamp. Some students prefer to read in different settings, and the reading area allows for some of these differences. Depending on the number of students interested in the reading area, the size of the area can grow to fit that number. Floor pillows and bean bag chairs could be added to accommodate the students preferences. The reading area could be used as a reward for students who are staying on task with their class work and reading assignments. The reading area is located near the teacher’s desk so that during free time, the area can be monitored to ensure proper use of the area. No food or drink is allowed near the reading area to maintain cleanliness.

12. Front Board To Intro Page To classroom The front board will be a white board, not a chalk board. Many students and teachers have poor reactions to chalk dust that can create problems in the classroom. Also, located on the front board will be a smart board. This will save time on creating overhead notes and presentations. It will also alleviate the hassle of using a projector. Projectors can become a nuisance because they take up valuable classroom space, they have long cords that can be dangerous for students with disabilities, and they have bright lights at eye level that can be distracting. The date will be written on the board everyday as well as an overview of the day’s activities. The whiteboard and smart board will extend low enough for students in wheelchairs to participate in board work.

13. Seat for Wheelchair To Intro Page To classroom A seat for a student in a wheelchair is located on the left side of the classroom near the teacher’s desk. The seat is a raised desk in line with the rest of the student seating. This is to prevent the student from being placed separately from the rest of the students in the classroom. The seat is at the end of the second row so that the student can get in and out of the desk easily.

14. Student Seating To Intro Page To classroom Student seating is the center of the classroom. Rather than traditional desks, the students are seated at tables with separate chairs. The tables are arranged in rows, with two students per table. Often, students with disabilities need more space to spread out and work in the classroom, and the tables will allow for this extra space. The students face the front of the room with nothing between them and the front board. The two tables in the back of the room are designed for students who wish to have more space to complete their work. In the back row is a table like the rest of the tables in the student seating area with only one chair and a table longer than the rest with two chairs. This row of seating allows for the differences in student learning preferences.

15. Classroom Design Project This classroom design is for a high school reading/language arts classroom for students with disabilities. To Intro Page To classroom