Connections to “What to Look for in a Classroom” by Alfie Kohn

Personal connections to “What to Look for in a Classroom” by Alfie Kohn

Blog by Hannah Kennedy | FNED 546

Link to Chart: https://www.alfiekohn.org/article/look-classroom2/

This chart, created by Alfie Kohn, goes over what people should and shouldn’t see in a classroom. The things people should see show signs of a healthy classroom and learning environment. The things people shouldn’t see show signs of an unhealthy learning environment. While reading and analyzing this chart, I was able to make multiple personal connections! I never realized how important things like furniture, stuff, and sounds are to understanding if a classroom is healthy or unhealthy. The first personal connection I made was the furniture. I remember when I first started working with one of the teachers at my school, her room was arranged a certain way. One day, the principal came in and rearranged the furniture in her room. I didn’t understand why, but now it makes sense. It was to create a healthier learning environment! The principal moved the desk, some of the kids desks, and the rug. It really helped create a healthier flow in the classroom. Another person connection I made was the walls. In the hallways of my school, there are always things hung up. It is always children’s school work or art work that the school wants to showcase. We also have paintings and murals all over the walls, along with information and personal mementos. I have been in a school where it didn’t have any of this, and the walls were filled with rules and regulations. You can immediately tell the difference in the atmosphere and how happy the children are between these two schools. It shows you how important the details are in schools. One last personal connection I made while reading this chart is the stuff in the rooms. It is super evident when going from room to room in my school that some rooms have more stuff in them than others. Some rooms have a ton of clutter, but it’s a good clutter because it’s filled with books, materials, activities, etc. Some classrooms are bare and feel unwelcoming. It is evident that students in the cluttered rooms feel more comfortable and happy in their environment. In my opinion, this chart is very accurate at emphasizing what makes a healthy versus unhealthy environment. I think that all teachers should use this chart to make sure their students are learning in a healthy environment!