organized classroom

This picture was taken during my PEH 220 class' obervation at Berea Community school. In the picture the kids were engaged with different tasks -- some with reading books, and some with writing. At the literacy session, the class teacher, Lori, instructed her students the different activities that they would be involved in. Listening to the long lecture, I at first thought, “So many instructions for young kids to remember.” But once they started their activities, I realized that the kids knew what to do, and these activities seemed to be part of the classroom routines. And I also noticed that there was an interactive communication in which the kids asked Lori the questions to clarify, before the actual activities resumed. The physical classroom itself was well-organized with different colored spots for the groups of students. There was a spot for their independent reading, the mailboxes for the students’ completed writings, and the assigned baskets for finished works. During my close observation of the small group’s guided reading led by Lori, I saw that Lori had some quiet kids speak up for their opinions, which I think is very important for kids’ emotional and social well-beings. So this classroom's structure and enviornment helped me reflect on a good organized classroom which let children feel like they are in charge of their learning. I include this entry under foundations of education because this well-organized classroom is a result of a teacher's systematic planning of lessons and creating the learning routine -- which is especailly good for kids who works best when they are in a reliable routine.