Keeping creativity alive in the classroom
We all know the euphoria that comes from walking into a clean, tidy, and well-organized place. A certain air of relaxation and calming effect comes with living and learning in an aesthetically pleasing environment. Naturally, what we teach and how we teach matters most, but where we choose to instill those messages could be just as important as the message itself.
Importance of classroom design
The first impression a student gets about a classroom comes from its design. Here are some tips to maximize the creativity of your classroom and to keep your students happy, healthy and engaged:
Visual inspiration. Form a wall of interests for your students and allow them to add anything they wish to add that may be relative to the curriculum. Get creative and add pictures from magazines, drawings and anything else that stands out.
Student-defined pain points. This classroom is as much a space for you as it is for your students, and their opinions should matter. Provide them with the opportunity to offer tips and suggestions they may have to utilize the space better. If everything in the classroom is perfect, a whiteboard could be an ideal opportunity for students to compliment you as a teacher or their fellow classmates.
Keep it fresh. Just because you have the room set up one way in September doesn’t mean it needs to stay that way come May. Elect student helpers to think of new, creative ways to switch the classroom up and continue to peak your student’s interests.
Get students involved
This activity can be an opportunity to have fun. Consider these ice breakers to get to know one another, and even give those students who are more prone to be shy a chance to meet with their peers and express themselves in ways they otherwise might not have been able to.
Allow other ways for your students to learn about one another while also serving to decorate the space. Ask your students to fill out a questionnaire asking them questions such as:
What is your life motto?
What are you most grateful for?
If you could have dinner with one person in history, who would it be?
Name something on your wish list.
How would you describe the color blue?
Change things up
Periodically changing the classroom environment can help boost creativity. Create new seating arrangements to yield positive results. If there is a student who is more prone to raise their hand, move them next to a quieter and more reserved student. Adding a little variety in the classroom can increase participation and engagement.