Taylor Webb

My Classroom Rationale

My classroom will reflect my teaching philosophy. It will be organized, structured, but a

large combination of books and narratives that reflect people who have learned and grown from

decisions that they have made. I envision a large collection of books (which I already have ready

for my classroom!) among the shelves. I also picture some class sets of different books

depending on the grade level being taught. For example, in my internship, the students are

reading The Outsiders currently.

The classroom will be decorated in a way that shows who I am as a person. I am sure a

few Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings posters will be up on the walls, in addition to classic

novels like Great Expectations and the works of Sherlock Holmes. Overall I imagine my theme

to be a very literature driven classroom, reflecting the subject of the class.

My classroom is broken up into 8 groups of 4. I really think the groups of 4 reinforces

group effort and helps students work better. It’s easy to have them help each other and work on

bell work, group work, and think-pair-share when it is already set up to do so. Each group has a

designated number to help with calling out for answers during group discussions. Having groups

also means students can ask other students for help if they still need it. They can all discuss an

answer as a group before offering to share with the class.

Moreover, organization and cleanliness really structure in to my classroom design. A

dirty classroom does not stimulate or reflect my rules. It not responsible to leave dirty things

around the classroom, such as trash, broken pencils, or other people’s work. I also believe that a

clean classroom helps students think better because they do not feel anxious or overwhelmed by

the disorganization. My classroom is also very easy to get around, one can walk from one group
 Taylor Webb

to another to talk to and work with each student individually. I can access every student in my

classroom to see what they are working on or help them. One additional item is located next to

the homework/bellowork baskets in a few stuffed animals in a basket. The stuffed animals can be

taken by a student to non-verbally tell me that they are not feeling their absolute best that day

and just need a little bit more consideration. They do not need to ask permission or say anything;

it is just a cue for me it they are feeling a little bit off.

Overall I will say my classroom is a combination of my favorite teacher’s classrooms.

They reflect a group effort of learning, along with a love for literature, and a sense of home and

comfort. I do feel comforted by books and posters, along with a clean and organized desk will

hopefully make my students feel ready to work.