A place for Learning:  The Physical Environment of Classrooms. 
Published  May 20, 2014
Mark Phillips

http://www.edutopia.org
 
A classroom should be inviting to the students, windows should be put in the room because the sunlight helps with a child's depression.  Chairs should be arranged where all students can see the teacher.  Chairs should be able to be moved so a child does not feel that they are placed in one spot.  Tables are a good value to a room, they are used for group projects.  Students get to communicate with other children.  In the picture above, this is used for group projects.  Students get to mingle with other children to discuss their classroom work.

More resources:
http://www.abramsbooks.com
http://behavioradvisor.com
http://www.wiley.com

General guidelines for motivation:

1. Physical environment helps with the morale and student learning.
2. The arrangement of seating is a major importance.
3. Include the students in the plans of the day.
4. The environment should match the teacher's objectives.

Classroom Layouts:  Seating Arrangements for Effective Learning
http://blog.ampli.com

In a traditional classroom all the desks are facing forward and facing the teacher in front of the class. 

Large Classroom:
Advantages:  The class all face the front and have plenty of room to write on their own desks.  Teacher has full control of the classroom.

Disadvantages:  It is hard for the teacher to move around the classroom.  Children in the back have a problem seeing and hearing the teacher. 

Small classroom:  Advantages:  Helps involve everyone in the classroom.  There is nothing in the middle to get in the way of the teacher and other students. 

Disadvantages:  Some of the children may feel in closed in this situation.  Some children may no be able to handle so many students at one time.

U-Shaped Layout:

Advantages:  Easier to see and hear everyone in the class.  The teacher is in front getting all the attention of the classroom.  The openness helps with the attention of all the classroom.

Disadvantages:  Some of the students may feel uncomfortable being in such a group.  This arrangement takes more space than other arrangements.

Classroom Layouts: Seating Arrangements for Effective Learning-AmpliVox Sound Sys...

Teaching blog addict:
http://www.teahingblogaddict.com

These are different blogs from other teachers:

Leslie@KindergartenWorks
 I was just planning this with a first grade teacher for next year.  I want to go with as much alternative seating as possible and am exited about trying it with kinders who already know the routines.

Jennifer Kadar
I do the same thing.  I like the changing of arranging.

Angela Watson:
Sometimes my colleagues would look at me like are you crazy?  Why are you changing things around again?

Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
March 19, 2014. 1:00 AM
https://larrycuban.wordpress.com

The way the classroom is arranged helps with the teachers teaching and the students learning.  The different arrangements help with the students safe environment and gives a new beginning in learning.
Moveable chairs replaced the standard set still chairs.  Children like this a lot better.  The difference in the learning today has improved because today's children have the choices of their seating.  The seating in more available for the teachers teaching.  Students are allowed to communicate more with one another with how the chairs are stationed.  Children seem to learn more by communicating with the other children.  Teachers have seen the difference within the children from later years.

Teacher should have programs out there for they can learn the different ways of seating their class arrangements.  Learning never hurts anyone. 


I have picked these outlines because of my experience in a one year old classroom.  We were monitored on how the room looked and how it was arranged.  I would change the classroom weekly because it was a change for the children.  I would arrange the quiet corner with the book corner for the children could relax.  The music and play station was on the opposite side of the room and the blocks and toys were in the middle.  The room was stationed for all children at all times were being seen by me.  I believe that setting in one place at all times makes it boring for the children.  The children need some change once in awhile.