The Classroom Environment

The Blackboard or Chalkboard:

Keep your chalkboard neat and tidy. It is not uncommon to find all
kinds of disorganized scribbles on chalkboards. Quite often these
include the scribbling of pupils. You must always start your lessons
with a clean chalkboard. Plan the use of your chalkboard during the
preparation of each lesson and use it only as indicated in your plan.
After your lesson, leave the board clean for the use of the next
teacher.

Classroom layout:
The way pupils' desks or tables are arranged depends on the age of the
pupils and the tasks you want them to do during a given lesson. In
the lower primary classes it is common to arrange the desks so that
pupils face each other in a group, while at the same time they
are able to see the teacher easily. In the upper primary classes
desks are usually arranged in rows. But desks can and should be
rearranged to suit group work whenever this is found to be necessary.
It is best to plan your classroom layout during lesson preparation
according to the requirements of the activities that lie ahead. On
paper, draw the layout you intend to use, bearing in mind the
equipment and furniture available. In many schools the scarcity of
furniture, not to mention other equipment, is a limiting factor. You
may use your class list to assign pupils to particular groups and
positions. Record the names on your plan. This will help you to
locate any particular pupil with ease when the need arises. Ensure
that all pupils have sufficient space for movement about the
classroom. Do not place desks against the walls. Pupils should be
able to leave and return to their desks without crawling under them
or jumping over them. Allow enough space for the various learning
areas, the “center of interest” and the library corner.

The position of the teacher’s table or desk is very important. It
should be positioned in such away that all pupils could see the
teacher at the desk clearly. It should also be placed so that the
teacher can get to it and away from it quite easily, and can attend
to chalkboard tasks without difficulty. From his or her desk the teacher
should be able to observe the whole class-every pupil should be
within eye-view.

If you are sharing the use of a class with other teachers, don’t let
your classroom layout be a hindrance to them. Rearrange the furniture
to its original position before the next teacher comes in, unless
your arrangement suits him also. Prior consultation is necessary in
this case.
 

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