Classroom Design Project

ECD 121

Written for Dr. D. McConaughy

Chesapeake College

by the Library / Learning Resource Center

http://www.chesapeake.edu/library/

Introduction

Each of us can attest that the environment, room plan, decoration, and utilization of a classroom have a huge impact on how a child learns and behaves. This semester-long project will help you to learn techniques for setting up your own classroom is a way that will enhance infant/toddler development. You will learn and write about an "ideal" classroom. You will take a virtual field trip via the Internet to several classrooms. You will then design your own classroom, using one of the following methods:

• presentation software (i.e. PowerPoint)
• 3-D model of your design
• pictures of an actual classroom on a chart showing the layout of the classroom, as well as the same pictures on a chart rearranged to show a more effective set-up, according to your research.

All presentations must be accompanied by a single typed page, double-spaced paper, explaining your design and/or changes.

Tasks

You will have to complete the following tasks:

1. You will complete WebQuest research on classroom designs and then write an essay on the "ideal" classroom, due Week 3.
2. You will take a virtual field trip to several classrooms in order to critique their room plan, decoration, and utilization, due Week 4.
3. You will design your own classroom, using one of several methods; due Week 12.

Task # 1: WebQuest Research

Visit the following sites to learn about designing and setting up a classroom:

Montessori Infant and Toddler Classrooms
HeadStart Classroom Design Table of Contents
Spaces for Children
Early Head Start National Resource Site

Childcraft Classroom Designer - free design site.  Link to Childcraft, and click on the Classroom Designer Tab at the top.  Sign on as a new user and choose which age level classroom you would like to design.  Furniture and equipment can be dragged with your mouse to the desired locations.

Tips for using ChildCraft

Or use...

Community Playthings (at http://www.communityplaythings.com/)

After visiting these sites, you will write an essay on your "Ideal Classroom."  Your essay should be two typed pages, double-spaced.  Be sure to parenthetically document the sites throughout your essay.

If you submit your critique electronically, please scan the document with the latest version of McAfee, Norton, or another reputable Anti-Virus software before attaching it to your email. THANKS!

Task # 2: Virtual Field Trip

Visit all of these classrooms. After you have visited the sites, choose two (2), and take notes on each classroom. Critique 2 of the 6 classrooms by comparing, contrasting and evaluating each classroom, using what you have learned thus far in the WebQuest. Tell what is good about them and why. Tell what is not so good about them and why. Explain what might have been done differently to enhance the learning experience of the children. The critique should be 2 typed pages, double-spaced.
 

If you submit your critique electronically, please scan the document with the latest version of McAfee, Norton, or another reputable Anti-Virus software before attaching it to your email. THANKS!

LSU Child Care Center

Education Web

St. Paul's Church Daycare - infants and toddlers (2)

Raintree Montessori School

Children's Creative Learning Center Select either California or Colorado

Task # 3: Design Your Own Classroom

Using several catalogs (available at the LRC), create a purchase order for the following items:

• Classroom furniture to include tables, chairs, cubbies, shelves, storage items, cots, art easels, etc. (water table...)
• Materials to include manipulative table-top toys, puzzles, art supplies, science equipment, math materials, books, computer/computer software, percussion instruments, DVD, audiovisual materials, paper, crayons, etc.
• Essential materials to include bulletin, boards, teacher's desk, adult chairs, storage area for teacher's desk, adult chairs, storage area for teacher materials, file cabinets, files, first aid kit, etc.
• Any other items you believe will enhance your program.

Design your own classroom using, as a guideline, the safety and classroom evaluation formats and other information you have learned throughout this WebQuest. Be sure that you have covered all necessary equipment and supplies in your purchase order. You may do:

• an electronic presentation using software such as PowerPoint (help is available at the LRC Reference Desk, or from Academic Computing in the LRC;
• a 3-D model of the classroom using materials of your choosing;
• a picture presentation using photographs of an actual classroom on a chart showing the layout of the classroom as well as the same pictures on a chart rearranged to show a more effective set-up, according to your research.
• Other appropriate presentations as approved by your instructor.

All presentations must be accompanied by a single typed page, double-spaced paper, explaining your design and/or changes.
 

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the following elements:

• WebQuest - Your understanding of the elements needed to create an "ideal" learning environment and your ability to explain this to a reader in an essay.
• Virtual Field Trip - Your ability to recognize the presence or absence of essential components of a good classroom and why these components are essential.
• Designing a Classroom - Your ability to synthesize all that you have learned through the WebQuest and visitations into a theoretically workable classroom and to present and explain it to your peers.

Conclusion 

It should be clear to you that there are essential components of classroom design that you will need to incorporate into your future classroom environment.  Environment can have a profound effect on the way infants/toddlers learn as well as on their behavior. The principles that you have learned here should be ones that you continue to use in your teaching career.