Each year I sit down and make a list of things that worked really, really well in my classroom environment and a list of thinks that didn't.
As I made my list this year I felt like I needed to plan things a little bit different. Here is what I did.I created a design board.
I started out this year with a design board and I did this because every early childhood environment implies a set of values or belief about the people who use the space.
I wanted my values to be heard and seen
the moment the children and families walk through the door this year.
I want my classroom environment to reflect...This is a tall order
* That families and children are welcomed
* That children were spending time in a place that was like home * Everyone belongs here * Sense of Discovery and Wonder * Choice is Encouraged * Respect and Value the learning process * I want adults reflecting on those childhood memories that make them smile.
so I needed a clear vision. I had pictures and ideas that I have saved but not sure of how I wanted to use these ideas until now. Once I stared moving my ideas around the design board a clear vision of my dream classroom was appearing before my eyes like magic.
First there was color
and how they make us feel. I knew that I wanted different color palettes to define individual learning centers and the mood that goes with each of those centers.
Next there was all of the inspirational pictures
that I collected on my pinterest board effective classroom environments. I printed out the ones that really spoke to me.
I made piles of...
* lighting
* storage containers (not plastic) * color * materials for areas * inspirational center ideas Finished Inspirational Design Board
All that was left
was to make a list of priories in order. What was the most impotent area to make over to create the feeling I wanted the moment families and children walked in.
1.) Repaint and fix up writing center frames 2.) Create a art studio that children could paint, mold and collage in all at the same time. 3.) Home Living Center reflecting the lives and community of the children. 4.) Construction Zone bring in open ended materials that children could use to enhance their designs with. 5.) Infusing nature throughout the classroom What do I have and what do I need?
I printed out my Classroom Design Workbook and went to work taking stock in what we already had and what I could re-purpose. Then I made a list of items that could be donated to me and a list of items that I needed to purchase at garage sales or thrift stores. My last list was a list of items that I had to purchase from a store.
Making sure that this list was short so that it would not cost me a fortune to redesign my classroom. Follow along as I redesign my classroom to reflect the values and beliefs of the people that will be using it. Coming Soon
Art Studio Make Over Home Living Center Make Over Nature Throughout Building with Open Ended Materials Book Nook Make Over and Classroom Tour 
Need to stay on track with your redesigning project?
You can with the workbook for Effective Classroom Environments TpT 
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I'm not miss, just stuck behind paper work. The new school year is rapidly approaching and I have been busy helping with enrollments. Not only thatI have also been updated and refreshing the e-course Unlocking the World of Language and Literacy. If you haven't heard about it check it out here. Class begins Monday and would love to see you there. 
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Welcome!I'm Tami Sanders creator of Learning and Teaching with Preschoolers, a blog to help teachers create magical moments for the young. Follow Me
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