Describes how Head Start teachers can support children's emergent literacy by improving their classroom environment. Includes suggestions for designing the floor plan, enriching the print environment within each learning center, and making the literacy center the classroom's focal point. (KB)

Examines general principles in designing child care centers and preschools: (1) design the site and building so that it has a friendly, child-like, inviting image; and (2) design child development environments to be child scaled, including furnishings, materials, the building, and the site as a whole. Contains criteria and suggestions for…

Explores the nature of indigenous extended family relationships and determines its potential for designing new classroom structures in bicultural schools. Reports supporting views from the work of several educators in bicultural schools. Shows that children in family-based schools had fewer late, absent, and dropout incidents than those in…

The special classroom design needs implied by different teaching methods (lecture, discussion, lecture with audiovisuals, group instruction via computer, self-paced learning, specialized teaching) are examined; and classroom planning considerations are discussed. Three fixed-design room types are described and their advantages and disadvantages…

Observed the effects of dramatic play center variations on children's social and cognitive play behaviors. Found that solitary-designed centers facilitated more solitary play than group-designed centers; dramatic play increased in the intervention and follow-up housekeeping centers compared to the baseline housekeeping center; and thematic centers…

Relates personal experiences to the challenges of the inclusive classroom. Details recommendations for inclusive classrooms, including the following: value each child's uniqueness; individualize expectations and goals; adapt the classroom environment to support children's needs; tailor staff responsibilities to support children's needs; and…

Science teachers often have two different curricula--the ideal framework on paper and the real, day-to-day instructional program that occurs in the classroom. A number of factors can affect how much of that ideal framework is accomplished. For example, how a facility is designed and how space is used can affect student achievement, classroom…

This research examined the extent to which 2.5- to 5-year-old children in three Kindergarten classrooms in Thessaloniki, Greece could be taught about the use of classroom space and equipment. The study combined the theoretical perspectives of Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner, and Frangos with the views of theater director Peter Brook. Mixed-age groups of…

The classroom teacher in preschool special education must focus attention in several areas in order to create a smoothly operating and effective classroom environment. Because most of the learning experiences provided for young children are dependent upon interaction with materials, attention must first be given to purchasing and gathering…

This paper describes the activities of a University of California, Davis, advisory group that was charged with monitoring campus classroom environments and proposing corrective action to remedy deficiencies and establish design criteria for consideration in the construction of future instructional facilities. A survey of faculty and students was…

Results of a study on physical space, materials, and activities of children and adults are used as the basis for suggestions for arrangements of physical space conducive to stimulating growth-producing behaviors of children in preschools and day care centers. (ED)

The use of computers in the writing classroom changes the actual activities used in class, adapting some present activities and creating new paradigm activities, and also changes the arrangement of the classroom, forcing a radical rethinking of spatial design. The computer classroom is not a passive room, one where information goes out from the…

This paper examines the methods used in designing school and classroom environments. The tools are labeled: (1) discipline-centered schooling; (2) empirical-naturalistic schooling; and (3) great works schooling. First, the outline endeavors to reveal the essential elements of the three tools that represent images, structures, or "maps" of…

A total of 20 first- and second-grade classrooms were observed to determine the nature of their behavior settings, and to ascertain teacher goals and values implicit in the classroom organization. Observation revealed strong differences among subject areas in both time allotment and variety of resources and activities. Language arts occupied the…

Intended to assist educators and trainers who must make recommendations about facilities to architects and school authorities, this ERIC information analysis project summarizes research on the design of both classrooms and individualized learning spaces that will optimize learning. Six teaching/learning space topics are considered: (1) light and…