Structure for the Creative Classroom

My next several posts will reference structure of the classroom with examples from my own.  Before learning can take place, the structure of the environment has to be such that learning can happen. Students must feel comfortable, safe, and most of all able to make mistakes as they gain mastery over new ideas and concepts.

One way I provide a safe place for students is by providing them their own "supply closet" which features a photo of themselves for identification.  

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Additionally, the supplies that I provide are theirs to keep, even after the end of the school year ends.  I shop for supplies during the summer months so they are of good quality and not expensive.  Supplies like Crayola Washable Markers, colored pencils, headset/earbuds, pencils, dry erase board, dry erase markers.  

Though not pictured in the photo above, I post each student's visual schedule so that when they enter our classroom, they know exactly where they are to go for learning.  In my next text, I'll share more about procedures, the importance of them and how the creative classroom runs best when they are used effectively.   The visual schedule, along with the supplies readily at hand, are effective ways for a student to gain ownership of their learning while organizing supplies neatly.  The Supply Closets" are really just oversized and colorful magazine storage, purchased from Amazon. 

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