Literacy educators have long understood the importance of designing multicultural instruction for students. However, in an educational context that is both increasingly multilingual, literacy educators are not realizing that multiculturalism isn't enough. This article focuses on practitioner friendly recommendations for understanding linguistic…

Classroom redesign is being recognized globally as necessary to better increase student's enjoyment levels, engagement, collaboration, and learning. Instead of seeing traditional classrooms in a fixed setting where students are seated in rows facing the front of the room, classrooms are being arranged in multiple ways. As a result of this focus on…

Describes classroom design with reference to doors, ceilings, walls, room furnishings, study tables, floor coverings, clocks, training labs, and halls. (JEG)

Suggests a method for organizing the room used by the yearbook staff and provides ideas for organizing tasks and materials. (TJ)

Presents factors crucial to the success of the combination classroom: planning, teacher selection, student selection, parent support, and schoolwide support. (MD)

Offers suggestions for creating a physical environment in the kindergarten classroom that is functional, attractive, appropriate, flexible and conducive to learning. (ED)

Discusses the importance of creating a science classroom that invites students to learn. (ZWH)

Five technology teachers describe how they would design the technology laboratory for the future. What it would look like, who would use it, what kind of activities would be done in it, the required equipment and supplies, and the expense of the lab are discussed. (KR)

Factors of location, use of space, room arrangement, and time-out area are examined for their effects on resource room programing for exceptional students. (CL)

This planning guide focuses on the fundamental requirements for planning and designing school music suites. The guide provides brief explanations of critical factors affecting music suites so that music directors and other stakeholders can more quickly and clearly communicate music area fundamentals to architects and administrators. Topics cover…

Suggests ways of turning the art room into a microenvironment of sensory intensification--a place where a student steps into a new world of color, sound, and smell that delights the eye and inspires the imagination. (Author/SJL)

Teachers of severely handicapped students can organize their classrooms to maximize individualization by designing a schedule for each adult (therapist, aide, etc.) and student; developing meaningful individualized educational programs; and by using a folder system to communicate specifics of each instructional activity. (CL)

Suggests that live plants can brighten up the classroom and can serve as the focus of interdisciplinary learning activities for elementary students. Briefly describes the organization of a "living laboratory" in an elementary school. (SJL)

Nine elementary teachers explain how they design their classrooms to match and support their instructional styles. The teachers focus on whole language programs, student portfolios, science activity set-ups, technology transformation, learning center strategies, and space utilization. (SM)

Presents tips to help teachers best use their preparation time before school opens. Suggestions include making multiple student lists; designing classroom desk arrangements; reviewing cumulative records; adding desktop names and numbers; checking texts; posting correctable schedules; decorating only one bulletin board; creating box-trays for…