A classroom , schoolroom or lecture room is a learning space in which both children and adults learn. Classrooms are found in educational institutions of all kinds, ranging from preschools to universities , and may also be found in other places where education or training is provided, such as corporations and religious and humanitarian organizations. The classroom provides a space where learning can take place uninterrupted by outside distractions.
68-452: In elementary schools (from Kindergarten through 5th grade), classrooms can have a whole group of 18 to 30 students (in some cases these numbers may differ) and one, two, or even three teachers. When there are two teachers in a classroom, one is the lead teacher and the other one is the associate. Or the second teacher might be a special education teacher. There may be a third teacher in the back watching and taking notes. In lower elementary
136-439: A "U" shape for group discussions and easy access for the teacher. Another common principle is arrangement in 'clusters' or small groups, which usually improves interaction and participation in (small) group-processes. Color is also a big asset to the classroom by relating the colors to the subjects learned in the classroom to help the students learn. Color also helps the atmosphere be fun and exciting, and helps visual stimulation for
204-407: A mix between a traditional classroom and a self-contained classroom. In this style of classroom, there is a mix of general students and students that need services. There are two teachers in this style of classroom, a general education teacher and special education teacher. They both teach and serve the students in the classroom, but during certain parts of the day the special education teacher may pull
272-403: A negative effect on both groups of students. Children with attention deficit disorder scored higher on tests when white noise was being pumped into the classroom than when music was played. The control group of children as well as the hyperactive group of children averaged the same test scores when there was no sound as when white noise was being played. By utilizing soft surfaces, especially on
340-628: A pleasing effect can be achieved that will reduce absenteeism in schools and keep the students focused on what the teacher is saying. Test scores go up when children are not in a stark white environment, which can feel sterile and cold. Classroom arrangement or the arrangement of furniture is an important aspect because students spend most of their time seated in the classroom. The furniture should be able to move and easy to arrange to allow students to sit in places that are best suited for their learning styles so they can focus on work Traditionally, classrooms have had one setup: straight rows of desks facing
408-504: A range of learning needs or abilities, from those identified as having special needs of the kinds listed in the Individuals with Disabilities Act to those that are cognitively, athletically or artistically gifted. Teachers use a variety of ways to teach, with a focus on getting pupils attention. Humor is sometimes used. Cartoons, for example, can capture ideas in one image. A study of seven industrialized nations found that in 2006,
476-451: A rotation. It is similar to the concept of teams in junior high school . Another method is to have the children have one set of classroom teachers in the first half of the year, and a different set of classroom teachers in the second half of the year. Eyestrain Eye strain , also known as asthenopia (from astheno- 'loss of strength' and -opia 'relating to
544-401: A student learns basic arithmetic and sometimes rudimentary algebra in mathematics , English proficiency (such as basic grammar , spelling , and vocabulary ), and fundamentals of other subjects. Learning standards are identified for all areas of a curriculum by individual states, including those for mathematics, social studies, science, physical development, the fine arts, and reading. While
612-454: A teacher's standpoint it can be damaging to the student's well-being. The row style of desk arrangement has been found to cause the students to withdraw. An alternative to the traditional row style desk pavement is to arrange the desks in groups. Phil Beadle, a UK Secondary Teacher of the Year, believes that it is best to arrange the desks in groups of six desks if at all possible. This allows for
680-401: A teacher-like figure in their child’s lives. Parents have to be an active part in their children's education, now more than ever. The majority of Elementary students don’t have the attention span to sit in front of a computer all day, educators need to be able to engage their students properly. Simplicity is better when it comes to remote learning. All curriculum being given should be as easy for
748-494: A time. The traditional classroom has also been attacked by advocates of various forms of alternative education . Italian educator Maria Montessori wrote that "Stationary desks and chairs [are] proof that the principle of slavery still informs the school". Classroom Seating Psychology: How Classroom Benches Affect Learning ? Elementary school (United States) In the United States, elementary schools are
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#1732793865051816-454: A toll on their emotional and social health. Many elementary students are still learning or perfecting their fine motor skills. Not only did it affect their fine motor skills, it took a great impact on their social and emotional health. Having emotional and social health problems could possibly hurt the way the students are able to take in information. The gap between high- and low-achieving students will become greater, this can be difficult for
884-601: A week. Some other types of classrooms that a middle/high school or college might have include computer labs for IT lessons, gymnasiums for sports, and science laboratories for biology , chemistry and physics . The layout, design and decor of the classroom has a significant effect upon the quality of the educational experience. Attention to the acoustics and colour scheme may reduce distractions and aid concentration. The lighting and furniture likewise influence factors such as student attention span . Historically, relatively few pupil-centric design principles were used in
952-412: A wise choice for areas where carpet cannot be used for practical purposes. Color theory refers to the effects color has on the human body. Red is said to increase both aggression and appetite, a poor combination for a school's interior. Yellow increases adrenaline levels and is also undesirable for a school setting. Blue, green, and brown create a relaxing and calming environment, which is a positive for
1020-469: Is a very important factor in K-6 learning and teaching. When the pandemic caused remote learning to be in place caused issues for the instruction of the young learners. Future educators in the making have to contain a certain amount of skills in technology so they can properly teach their students in any circumstance that may occur. Remote learning set-back students in learning their fine motor skills and it took
1088-539: Is also recorded as the first time in history the average pay for teachers has exceeded the $ 50,000 mark. The National Center for Education Statistics found that as of the 2019-2020 school year, the average American teacher makes $ 63,645. Mississippi has the lowest average teacher's salary at $ 45,192, and New York has the highest average teacher's salary at $ 87,543. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , there are roughly 1.4 million primary school teachers employed in
1156-466: Is determined by individual school districts . The school district selects curriculum guides and textbooks that reflect a state's learning standards and benchmarks for a given grade level. The broad topic of social studies may include key events, documents, understandings, and concepts in American history and geography , and in some programs, state or local history and geography. Topics included under
1224-421: Is meeting the highest level of quality there is a grading scale called ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale). There are 43 items on this checklist and it is divided into seven categories and they are as follows: Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines, Language-Reasoning, Activities, Interactions, Program Structure, and Parents and Staff. In an upper elementary classroom students now use desks, there
1292-534: Is no rug for whole group learning but there is a Smart Board and computers. Students also start practicing switching classes to get accustomed to middle and high, usually in fifth grade school transitions . In a self-contained classrooms there are 7 or fewer students. Self-contained classrooms are designed for children that need more one-on-one time. Teachers get to solely focus on their small group of students and create individualized lessons for each child. An integrated or inclusion classroom can be thought of as
1360-577: Is simplistic at best, however, and school systems vary widely not only in the way curricular decisions are made but also in how teaching and learning take place. Some states and/or school districts impose more top-down mandates than others. In others, teachers play a significant role in curriculum design and there are few top-down mandates. Curricular decisions within private schools are made differently from those made in public schools, and in most cases without consideration of NCLB directives. At times, an individual school district identifies areas of need within
1428-538: Is the circle/semicircle placement. This particular desk setup is growing in popularity due to the numerous positive outcomes it provides. The circle desk arrangement facilitates the flow of ideas by fostering positive group dynamics. When sitting in a circle it is easier for students to not only see who is talking, but to make eye contact with the speaker. Students sitting in a circle arrangement tend to feel more comfortable speaking up and asking questions. This style of desk placement also makes it easier for teachers to control
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#17327938650511496-549: The American Society for Training and Development , as of 2014, approximately 25% of employee training hours take place online rather than in a classroom. However, critics argue that even the classroom space is full of distractions in the 21st century since even though access to the online world may be restricted by some institutions, students may find distractions in their physical vicinity and so tend to multitask and divide their attention without focusing on any one task at
1564-539: The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) got together with other science organizations to develop the "National Science Education Standards". In the past simply the study of and presentation of core content knowledge for areas such as: physical, life, earth, and space sciences; was seen as sufficient. After the development of the new "Science Standards" concern shifted from teaching content alone to learning science “disciplines in
1632-516: The U.S. Congress and the federal U.S. Department of Education being limited to regulation and enforcement of federal constitutional rights. Great indirect authority is, however, exercised through federal funding of national programs and block grants although there is no obligation upon any state to accept these funds. The U.S. government may also propose, but cannot enforce national goals, objectives and standards, which generally lie beyond its jurisdiction. Most states have predetermined
1700-437: The common misconception that such an activity causes permanent eye damage. When concentrating on a visually intense task, such as continuously focusing on a book or computer monitor, the ciliary muscles and the extraocular muscles are strained . This causes discomfort, soreness, and/or pain in the eyeballs. Closing the eyes for ten minutes and relaxing the muscles of the face and neck at least once an hour usually relieves
1768-410: The middle school . This change typically saw reassignment of grade 9 to the (senior) high school, with grade 6 sometimes included in middle school with grades 7 and 8. Subsequent decades in many states have also seen the realignment of teacher certification, with grade 6 frequently now included on the secondary teaching certificate. Thus, whereas 20th-century American education began with
1836-451: The "middle school", still distinguish between junior and senior high schools. Thus, high schools can be either 9–12, which is most common, 8-12, or 10–12. Over the past few decades, schools in the USA have been testing various arrangements which break from the one-teacher, one-class model. Multi-age programs, where children in different grades (e.g., Kindergarten through to second grade ) share
1904-609: The No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act were passed, students now take more standardized tests . The annual tests can take away time from genuine learning. Practice tests are given followed by the actual tests. The standardized tests that are required to be given can't be made or modified by the educator. This results in students having to learn more, if not all, of the required subjects and topics that will be inputted in
1972-531: The No Child Left Behind Act, the teaching of social studies and science has been underdeveloped in elementary school programs. Some attribute this to the fact that elementary school teachers are trained as generalists; however, teachers attribute this to the priority placed on developing reading, writing and math proficiency in the elementary grades and to the large amount of time needed to do so. Reading, writing and math proficiency greatly affect performance in social studies, science and other content areas. Since
2040-527: The United States as of 2012, with average earnings of $ 55,270, and median earnings of $ 52,840. In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States forced many schools to quickly change to remote learning. By the end of the month, every public school within the United States had closed. Only schools in Montana and Wyoming opened towards the end of the school year. By the start of the 2021-22 school year
2108-479: The average starting salary of American public primary school teachers with minimum qualifications was $ 34,900. In this regard the United States was second only to Germany (non-U.S. salaries were converted to U.S. dollars at purchasing power parity ). The 2007 a survey conducted by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) reported that the average salary for an American teacher was $ 51,009; this
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2176-414: The broader term "science" vary from the physical sciences such as physics and chemistry, through the biological sciences such as biology, ecology, and physiology. There is much discussion within educational circles about the justification and impact of curricula that place greater emphasis on those topics (reading, writing and math) that are specifically tested for improvement. Since the implementation of
2244-399: The class, preventing misbehaving and off task comments as it allows them to easily see all the students, and allows all the students to see the teacher. Besides, the type of furniture may play an important role in the learning space. There is a relationship between the ergonomic characteristics of the educational furniture and the number of cognitive errors: the more ergonomic characteristics of
2312-429: The class. Little color was used for fear of distracting the children. In the 1950s and 60s, cheap and harsh fluorescent lights were sometimes used, which could cause eyestrain . Research has suggested that optimal use of daylight, acoustics , color selection and even the arrangement of the furniture in the classroom can affect pupils' academic success. Georgetown University found that test scores increased by 11% through
2380-404: The classroom. However, blue also is associated with cold and sadness and elongates the sense of time, which would make a blue classroom tortuous for students (Vodvarka, 1999). Warm colors are often favored by students, making them more alert and increasing brain activity, which helps in increasing test scores. Cool colors had the opposite effect. By balancing warm and cool colors, bright and subdued,
2448-407: The classrooms are set up slightly different from upper elementary. In these classrooms there are tables instead of desks, a rug with a ( Smart Board ) for whole group learning, a library, computers, and centers . The rug is the focal point of the classroom and everything else is strategically placed around it. The teacher must be able to move swiftly through the classroom. To determine if the classroom
2516-518: The concept of state learning standards has been around for some time, the No Child Left Behind Act has mandated that standards exist at the state level. Basic subjects are taught in elementary school , and students often remain in one classroom throughout the school day (until starting different blocks), except for physical education , library , music , and art classes. Typically, the curriculum in public elementary education
2584-458: The construction of classrooms. In 19th century Britain, one of the few common considerations was to try and orient new buildings so the class windows faced north as much as possible, while avoiding west or southern facing windows, as in Britain northern light causes less glare. Desks were often arranged in columns and rows, with a teacher's desk at the front, where he or she would stand and lecture
2652-411: The context of inquiry, technology, personal [and] social perspectives”. Originally, elementary school was synonymous with primary education, taking children from kindergarten through grade 8; and secondary school was entirely coextensive with the high school grades 9–12. This system was the norm in the United States until the years following World War I , because most children in most parts of what
2720-480: The curriculum. Teachers and advisory administrators form committees to develop supplemental materials to support learning for diverse learners and to identify enrichment for textbooks. Many school districts post information about the curriculum and supplemental materials on websites for public access. Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, public schools receiving government funding are required to test and assess student progress each year. Individual states and not
2788-471: The elementary school finishing at grade 8, the 21st century begins with the American elementary school finishing at grade 5 in many jurisdictions. Some elementary schools were K-4, middle schools were 5-7, and high schools were 8-12. Nevertheless, the older systems do persist in many jurisdictions. While they are in the minority today, there are still school districts which, instead of adopting
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2856-482: The eyes'), is a common eye condition that manifests through non-specific symptoms such as fatigue , pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision , headache , and occasional double vision . Symptoms often occur after long-term use of computers , digital devices, reading, or other activities that involve extended visual tasks which are broadly classified into external and internal symptom factors. The experience of eye strain when reading in dim light has given rise to
2924-557: The fall of 2020 almost 32.8 million students attended public primary schools. It is usually from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade , although the NCES displays this data as pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Primary education tends to focus on basic academic learning, vocational skills and socialization skills, introducing children to the broad range of knowledge, skill and behavioral adjustment they need to succeed in life – and, particularly, in secondary school . In general,
2992-510: The federal government are required to develop their own set of standards by which they measure student progress. Although standardized testing is seen as a valid way for measuring content knowledge and progress in areas such as math and reading at the primary level there is much dispute within the scientific community on how to measure the progress of scientific knowledge. In 1996 the National Research Council (NRC) and
3060-493: The floor, the sounds within and outside of the classroom will be diminished, taking away from the distractions facing students and improving not just the test scores of hyperactive children, but those without attention deficit disorder as well. Although carpet is an obvious choice for sound absorption, it may not be suitable for high traffic areas like hallways. In such cases, other sound absorbing materials, such as cork, can be used. The use of sound absorbing ceiling tiles may also be
3128-417: The following states required in-person instruction for all or some grades: Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, and Texas. Covid-19 caused educators to have to learn how to aid their students through a screen and take on a greater workload, while parents had to stay home, if possible, to assist their children in learning remotely. Since schools shut-down and went fully remote, educators had to adjust fast. Normally,
3196-414: The front of the classroom. The row style allows teachers ample amount of space to walk around. This makes it easier for teachers to supervise the students work and catch any students that may be misbehaving, insuring that students stay focused. Studies have found that the row style also fosters less off topic talking causing the atmosphere to be more conducive to learning. While the row style sounds ideal from
3264-399: The furniture, the less error. There is also an error percentage reduction using separated chair and desk. Online learning technologies make it possible for learning to take place at any time, at any place, and at any pace that the learner desires. This is particularly important for adult students who may need to schedule their learning around work and parenting responsibilities. According to
3332-411: The holder to teach any subject in grades 7 and 8, and his/her major and minor subjects in grades 9 through 12. Certain subjects, such as music, art, physical, and special education were or could be conferred as K through 12 Teaching Certificates. By the late 1960s, the lines of transition between primary and secondary education began to blur, and the junior high school started to get replaced by
3400-434: The improvement of a classroom's physical environment. In the design of a classroom, desk arrangements are essential to the decor and design of the classroom followed by seating arrangements for the students. Usually classroom desks are arranged in rows or columns, but there are many more ways to arrange the desks. For example, a circle can be made with the desks so that it is more of a group discussion. The desks can also be in
3468-438: The lower achieving students to keep up in the classroom or the higher achieving students to keep their attention span. Learning loss during the pandemic was a very common occurrence when students returned back to face-to-face learning. It set-back their education due to educators having to re-teach what was already taught. Authority to regulate education resides constitutionally with the individual states, with direct authority of
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#17327938650513536-511: The main point of delivery of primary education , for children between the ages of 4–11 (sometimes 4-10 or 4-12) and coming between pre-kindergarten and secondary education . In 2017, there were 106,147 elementary schools (73,686 public, 32,461 private) in the United States, a figure which includes all schools that teach students from first grade through eighth grade . According to the National Center for Education Statistics , in
3604-498: The most use out of the desk arrangement as you have the ability to utilize groups of two, three, or six students without moving a single chair. Beadle is not the only teacher to swear by group desk arrangement; studies have shown that the group desk placement setup produces a greater number of on task actions than any other form of desk placement. The group setup does have one potentially serious negative side effect. Students sitting in group desk placements are more likely to misbehave when
3672-431: The number of minutes that will be taught within a given content area. Because the No Child Left Behind Act focuses on reading and math as primary targets for improvement, other instructional areas have received less attention. Learning Standards are the goals by which states and school districts must meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This description of school governance
3740-710: The principles of curriculum development and instruction. Teachers typically earn either a Bachelor's or master's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Certification standards for teachers are determined by individual states, with individual colleges and universities determining the rigor of the college education provided for future teachers. Some states require content area tests, as well as instructional skills tests for teacher certification in that state. Public Elementary School teachers typically instruct between twenty and thirty students of diverse learning needs. A typical classroom will include children with
3808-399: The problem. A page or photograph which shows the same image twice, but slightly displaced–from a printing mishap, a camera moving during the shot, etc.–can cause eye strain due to the brain misinterpreting the image fault as diplopia and reacting by adjusting the sideways movements of the two eyeballs, in an attempt to fuse the two images into one. Eye strain can also happen when viewing
3876-400: The same classroom and teachers, is one increasingly popular alternative to traditional elementary instruction. Another alternative is that children might have a main class and go to another teacher's room for one subject, such as science, while the science teacher's main class will go to the other teacher's room for another subject, such as social studies. This could be called a two-teacher, or
3944-405: The same group of students in each class depending on the students' schedules. Then college classrooms are set up in a lecture hall or auditorium with one teacher, also called a professor . Typically this teacher has a Teacher Assistant (TA), which is a grad student . This person may help administer or grade tests. They can also hold review sessions for college students to come to once or twice
4012-523: The same time, grade 9 marked the beginning of high school for the purpose of GPA calculation. It was typical during this period for state departments of education to certify (in California, "credential") teachers to work in either primary or secondary education. A Primary School Certificate qualified the holder to teach any subject in grades K through 8, and his/her major and minor subjects in grade 9. A Secondary School Certificate qualified
4080-510: The same way. When students and educators take the preparation period of standardized testing seriously, it is also a great way for the state to measure how well each school functions. The use of standardized testing in the classrooms gives the policymakers and educators a fair opportunity to see how much the students are learning, and what educators should keep and fix in their current curriculum. Elementary School teachers are trained with emphasis on human cognitive and psychological development and
4148-515: The students that have services to give them additional support. This allows students with accommodations or an Individual Education Program (IEP), to still get to be in a general classroom but also get the individualized instruction they need. Middle school and high school classrooms are set up quite similar. There is one teacher and students transition from one classroom to the next. They do not stay in one classroom all day. These classrooms can have around 20 students. Students may not exactly have
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#17327938650514216-454: The students to access as it is for the teachers. Finding technological tasks that are simple yet have lots of depth in the topic in which is being taught is important to find. Future elementary educators have some curriculum changes in their classes in order to better prepare them for the pandemic side of teaching. One of the main and most common changes throughout the United States is technology. Using and knowing how to properly use technology
4284-483: The students. The acoustics of the classroom are very often overlooked, but are an important part of the success of a child. Choosing only materials that cause sound to reverberate, such as tile floors and hard wall surfaces, greatly increases noise levels and can prove detrimental to learning. One study of hyperactive versus control groups of children found that white noise has no impact on either group, but that auditory stimulation such as distant conversations or music has
4352-499: The teacher is not looking, like using iPads that are provided by the school, such as in the Cupertino Union School District. To avoid this the groups of desks should be arranged around the outside of the room giving the teacher plenty of room to walk around and supervise as well as providing room for kinesthetic activities that can be beneficial to the students learning. The final popular desk arrangement
4420-409: The tests. Although standardized tests cause issues and setbacks in the classroom, they do have their benefits just like everything else in the education curriculum. By giving students standardized tests it provides the state with how each individual child is doing academically. Using these tests is not only the most effective, but the least biased way to measure every student's academic achievement in
4488-540: The workload they have is tolerable but, while under lockdown, more was piled on and they had to be more on top of everything. The pandemic without a doubt has reduced learning time. The attention spans of the students online isn’t the same as in the classroom. This results in poorer student performance. A lot of students didn't have the technology for remote learning, they were unable to get it themselves as well. All of this resulted in parents needing to slow down. A lot within their lives have changed, especially with being
4556-415: Was designed to provide transitional preparation from primary school to secondary school , thus serving as a bridge between the elementary school and the high school. Elementary schools typically operated grades Kindergarten through 6; the junior high school, often housed in the same building as the senior high school, then covered grades 7 through 9; and the senior high school operated grades 10 through 12. At
4624-417: Was then the mostly rural United States could go no further than Grade 8. Even when the high schools were available, they were often not accessible. As the population grew and became increasingly urban and suburban instead of rural, the one-room schoolhouse gave way to the multi-room schoolhouse, which became multiple schools. This produced the third genre of school – the junior high school – which
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