16 Nov Creative Representation of a Creative Classroom/Learning Environment

For this assignment, you will create a visual presentation of your ideal classroom environment that promotes creativity. This should be in the form of a detailed collage, Google Doc or a PowerPoint, or you could create a Pinterest page to collect images and submit an invitation to the link and include a narrative description. Think creatively! This assignment is worth 200 points, and a commensurate amount of effort should be given to your presentation, which should include many images, in order to give a complete representation of the type of learning environment that you would create.

Part 1: First, in paragraph form, describe who is in your classroom. Identify the ages of the children in this classroom, the number of children in this classroom, the number of teachers in this classroom, details about the types of families, and characteristics of the children.

Part 2: Now think about these questions from Chapter 3 (you don’t have to hand the answers in, just take them into consideration):

Creating a Vision An environment that cultivates creative thinking begins with a plan to develop a beautiful, intriguing place for young children. There are many things to consider: ›How do you want children to see the space? ›What kinds of play and thinking might be inspired there? › What feelings should be stimulated? › What options can you provide for children who are exploding with ideas? › Will there be a gathering place for a small group of learners? › Will you include a quiet space where children can slow down and incubate an idea? › How can the environment reflect the children and their families? › What features make your classroom space unique? › How can you change the environment as new interests and projects develop?

Now create your visual presentation. You may collect photos from your own current classroom if you have one, or from Pinterest, online images, etc. Show the different types of areas (noisy, quiet, creative, etc.) and include a description of the spaces and why you included the images that you chose. This can be representational – it does not have to be a “map” of the room. It should, however, give the true “feel” of the different areas and what you would include to support creativity. How will you include beauty, nature, inspiration, light, etc.? Focus on using natural elements and not plastic toys and materials.

Part 3. Once you have visualized your ideal creative classroom, evaluate it by answering the questions on this attached document: Using MI to evaluate classroom Download Using MI to evaluate classroom (opens in a new window). Submit this completed document.

Summary:

What to submit for grading:

1. Written description of who is in your classroom (see part 1).

2. Visual representation of your ideal classroom with descriptions (in the representation if it is a PowerPoint for example, or in a separate paper if you presentation is all visual, such as a collage or Pinterest page (see part 2).

3. Completed MI evaluation tool (see part 3)