N is for Neutral Classrooms
What is a neutral classroom?
A neutral classroom has a bare teaching wall, calming colours, is void of clutter, has soft lighting, natural materials, and has as little visible to children as possible. The purpose of a neutral classroom is to help students to focus on the teacher and the material that is being presented to them at that particular time. It helps students to stay focused and calm while in the classroom.
A neutral classroom has a bare teaching wall, calming colours, is void of clutter, has soft lighting, natural materials, and has as little visible to children as possible. The purpose of a neutral classroom is to help students to focus on the teacher and the material that is being presented to them at that particular time. It helps students to stay focused and calm while in the classroom.
But I need all of my resources! How can I declutter?
A neutral classroom still has resources, they are just not visible to students. If you normally have posters on your walls, they can be removed and placed onto a flip chart that is stored at the back of the room and brought to the front only when a specific poster is in use. There are still books and materials on the sides and at the back of the room, they are just behind doors or neutral coloured curtains so that they are not distracting. It is also important to only keep resources that you have used in the last few years, because chances are that if you haven't used a resource for a few years, you have found something else to replace it already. The world wide web and other technologies have eliminated the need to "hoard" resources. If you don't have something, you can search for it on the internet, or make a digital copy to be stored in a folder on your computer, in dropbox, or in google drive. It can be very freeing to eliminate resources that you aren't using! You can donate old books and materials to a teacher just starting out, a student, or to a local charity or library. If you have lots of books, I have sent some to www.betterworldbooks.com. They sell used books and donate their proceeds to literacy initiatives and libraries. If you have bright colours in your room, they should be painted to a neutral beige, light brown, or cream colour. Many teachers paint their classrooms themselves, but school divisions generally have resources set aside for painting on a rotating basis (you will have to look into this).
A neutral classroom still has resources, they are just not visible to students. If you normally have posters on your walls, they can be removed and placed onto a flip chart that is stored at the back of the room and brought to the front only when a specific poster is in use. There are still books and materials on the sides and at the back of the room, they are just behind doors or neutral coloured curtains so that they are not distracting. It is also important to only keep resources that you have used in the last few years, because chances are that if you haven't used a resource for a few years, you have found something else to replace it already. The world wide web and other technologies have eliminated the need to "hoard" resources. If you don't have something, you can search for it on the internet, or make a digital copy to be stored in a folder on your computer, in dropbox, or in google drive. It can be very freeing to eliminate resources that you aren't using! You can donate old books and materials to a teacher just starting out, a student, or to a local charity or library. If you have lots of books, I have sent some to www.betterworldbooks.com. They sell used books and donate their proceeds to literacy initiatives and libraries. If you have bright colours in your room, they should be painted to a neutral beige, light brown, or cream colour. Many teachers paint their classrooms themselves, but school divisions generally have resources set aside for painting on a rotating basis (you will have to look into this).
What are the benefits of a neutral classroom?
Students are better able to focus on their teacher and the work in front of them in a neutral classroom. Students that have difficulty concentrating will find it easier to focus. Being able to focus enhances learning and memory. A neutral classroom is also a more positive work environment for you as a teacher. It can be hard to find materials when you have too many to begin with! If you can't find something easily, it can be very frustrating, and you will either give up on the resource or find something else to fill the void. I have found neutral classrooms to be more functional and conducive to learning for myself as well. When I am in a room that has too much clutter, I find myself focusing on cleaning and making space more than working. I am sure it is the same for many students who are not as motivated to get things done as I am!
Students are better able to focus on their teacher and the work in front of them in a neutral classroom. Students that have difficulty concentrating will find it easier to focus. Being able to focus enhances learning and memory. A neutral classroom is also a more positive work environment for you as a teacher. It can be hard to find materials when you have too many to begin with! If you can't find something easily, it can be very frustrating, and you will either give up on the resource or find something else to fill the void. I have found neutral classrooms to be more functional and conducive to learning for myself as well. When I am in a room that has too much clutter, I find myself focusing on cleaning and making space more than working. I am sure it is the same for many students who are not as motivated to get things done as I am!