The Classroom Doesn't Confine You

         Think back to your elementary schools and that favorite classroom you once sat in.  Look back at the walls that surrounded you and the faces that greeted you at the door every morning.  This space served a purpose, it wasn't just a place to meet and do your homework or read a book, it became a lot more than that.  As Debbie Miller simply put it, "I believe that classroom environments are most effective when they are literate and purposeful, organized and accessible, and, most of all, authentic."  In viewing that every student has the possibility to learn, as discussed in my teaching beliefs, the idea of having a purposeful classroom and my beliefs are compatible in every sense.  The classroom should not only be limited to enclosing the room so that you are not disturbing other classrooms, it can be utilized as a resource for you as a teacher, but to your students.  Although it is absolutely possible that you change your classroom 30 times within the first couple of months, it only makes sense because each school year, students and resources change every year and you must find a dynamic that works best for you and your students.  In finding that dynamic, I believe that Debbie Miller's main ideas of a functional classroom, as discussed in her quote above, are a great starting tool in setting your classroom up.
         While there are many "cute" and "feel good" posters, boarders and pictures that are available for teachers to purchase and put up throughout their classrooms, the most effective decorations are the ones that serve a purpose.  They are the posters, word walls or diagrams that can be used as a quick resource for students to refer to while doing their work.  They are also the artifacts of ideas or work that has been created by the students themselves, this creates an empowering feeling knowing that their work is on display and that it was put up there for a purpose that everyone is able to see.  When you realize that you have completely run out of space, trust me it is possible, its time to make sure that you and your students are organized.  Take the time to know your students, and their opinions on how the classroom should be set up, just as Debbie Miller discussed, this is their space too!  Make sure it is accessible for all and every type of student, because this not only saves time, but it saves you the headache of "Ms. Gillotti I cant find the scissors."  There are many different organizational ways to make your classroom as accessible as possible, which can be found in the link at the bottom of this post.  Last, but absolutely not least, make your classroom full of literacy and encouragement.  It isn't necessary that you have a specific corner for your classroom library, your entire classroom should be a library!  Not only does creating an environment help to encourage reading and writing, it gets students excited about it.  With all of these ideas put into one classroom, it creates the possibility and the chance to reach all learners and classroom that is constantly learning.

Debbie Miller's, "Spaces & Places: Designing Classroom Literacy"
http://www.amazon.com/Spaces-Places-Designing-Classrooms-Literacy/dp/1571107223