Naena Bland

Kristi Jones

EDUC 252

28 February 2016

DAP Floor Plan

Classroom Environment

In my floor plan you will see a very concise and organized space for every subject area of

the curriculum. I give each subject its own space to maximize learning of the subject matter. I

also include plenty of space between the sections of the classroom so students dont feel cramped

into a small corner of the classroom. I want students to have plenty of space for everything they

do in the classroom without having to worry about being in the way of their classmates.

As I decided on the overall layout of the classroom, I saw that it correlated with the DAP

principal one, all domains of development and learning- physical, social, emotional, and

cognitive- (DAP #1, 2009). I made sure to incorporate many different types of teaching styles

for students who learn differently. We have talked many times about how some students learn

more kinesthetically, or more from listening to lectures. In my classroom I included round tables

in the Science/Math Lab for collaboration work. There is a Map Rug to discuss social studies

topics by lecture, discussions, or any other type of teaching. Also in the classroom is a space for

when the teacher is lecturing or presenting to the class where the students have their own

individual desks.

The regular seating for students correlates with DAP principal six because it strengthens

individual work. By including individual work spaces students are able to make their own
connections and self-reflect on their work. Development proceeds toward greater complexity,

self-regulation, and symbolic or representational capacities. (DAP #6, 2009)

DAP principal seven is relevant in this classroom as well because the teacher will be

roaming around the classroom as students have independent or group study. The students will

always feel safe because they will know the teacher will always be there watching and helping

when needed. Group work will also help students create positive relationships with one another.

They will learn to rely on each other and help those in their learning area. Children develop best

when they have secure, consistent relationships with responsive adults and opportunities for

positive relationships with peers. (DAP #7, 2009)

I think that group work is great for learning, but incorporating individual work is also a

necessity so students make their own connections through their own critical thinking processes. I

include multiple seating arrangements throughout my classroom consisting of rounds for math

and science for projects and experiments, tables for artwork, and individual desks to work on

assignments individually. As DAP eight states, development and learning occur in and are

influenced by multiple social and cultural contexts. (DAP #8, 2009) Students will be grouped

differently to get to know everyone in the class. By exposing students to each other, they will get

to know their experiences and backgrounds, giving different cultural perspectives on all subjects.

By including a Reading Nook in the classroom, students will be pushed to read and learn

about the environment around them, always mentally active in seeking to understand the world

around them (DAP #9, 2009). DAP 9 gives knowledge that students are always seeking out

new information; books are the best way to do so at the students own pace of learning. Students

in the Reading Nook have the opportunity to read silently, in pairs, or groups. By including
different options for reading, students are given different styles of learning from the same source

of information.

I think it is very important for students to include play in their daily activities. This can

include creative arts or physical activities. My classroom includes both an art corner and a closet

filled with many different types of sports equipment to appeal to all students. A student needs to

get their energy out, but more importantly, play creates cooperation and leadership roles. Play

gives students chances to enhance their social skills with other students. Play is an important

vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as for promoting language, cognition, and social

competence. (DAP #10, 2009) Students will be encouraged to participate in all kinds of play

while in class, whether it be arts, physical activity, or any kind role playing the students come up

with.
 References

NAEYC (2009). Developmentally appropriate practices. Retrieved from

http://www.naeyc.org