Main Entrance

Lockers/ Cubbies
Globe & bookshelf with science
items
Bookshelves easel,
teachers seat, circle
time area
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Circle Time Carpet
Students Tabels
Science sensory table
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Miss Gills Desk
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White Board
Writing Center
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Craft Table
Arts and Crafts Shelf
Dramatic
Play Area
Art Easel
Laura Gill Week 2 Map and Questions
1. An environment consists of the visible and the invisible, much like teaching does. A classrooms setup is just as important as the
curriculum being taught in it. This Small Wonders preschool classroom environment appears to be specially designed to display
beliefs and expectations about the children, and what Lincoln Elementary School values as a community. What I find interesting is the
fact that this big classroom breaks into several smaller areas designated for certain purposes. The physical aspects of the classroom all
have the significance of representing the invisible. The classroom is inviting to the students but it also emphasizes beliefs and
expectations such as organization and community. The classroom does this in several ways, some more apparent than others. The
walls are filled with colorful posters and pictures of everything from the alphabet to colors and numbers which reminds the students
that this is a warm, homey place to feel welcome but also a place where we strive academically. In addition, on the walls one will find
examples of student work, such as hand drawn pictures of Mrs. Donovan with stickers and glitter. There are also pictures to represent
just about everything from what goes on a shelf or in a drawer. It reminds the children there are high expectations for organization
and responsibility for putting things away in their proper place in the classroom. On the walls at the front of the class in the circle time
area, hang the noise level chart as well as the classroom rules. These charts remind the students that there is structure and rules which
need to be followed in order to succeed as preschoolers. The entire school uses the same noise level chart which serves as a uniform
expectation to all the children. Continuing looking around the room, one would find that the children sit at tables which helps to
establish a sense of community within the room. In addition, the overall classroom is very neat, and there is not much clutter as
everything has a place. There are many bookshelves that hold different items all in their proper place with labeled pictures which also
serve as a center during center time. This reminds the children that there are classroom expectations that everything must be neat,
organized, and all materials are put away where they belong. The overall room is very universal in its child oriented theme and that,
reminds the children a school setting, yet still serving as a homey and inviting environment.
2. No classroom is perfect, just like students or a curriculum. This classroom at quick glance appears to have many strengths but it
also have a few limitations when one does a deeper observation and evaluation. As previously stated, the strengths are the classrooms
ability to reinforce the expectations of the children while remaining friendly and welcoming. Lincoln Elementary has a strong mission
statement of teaching children to be responsible and productive citizens of society and no matter their ability they are a person of
worth and value. The set-up of the environment demonstrates this visibly and invisibly. The classroom is set up to be an inviting
atmosphere that resonates with its strengths of having children that want to learn play and grow. Although, that also ties in with the
classrooms weaknesses of being just slightly constricting. The room is almost too clean and organized with the specific centers the
children must do. I feel the environment may limit the children to not freely explore the room at all times. Otherwise I feel the
classroom environment does not limit the students, and they are welcomed to be who they are or who they want to be.