Gifted teachers possess a talent for generating an atmosphere of connectedness and focus in the classroom, and state standards emphasize the importance of student engagement. This article presents suggestions for teachers that can increase the chances that their students will be fully engaged during a lesson. The issues of time (length of…

Students' degree of territoriality based on gender and seat preferences in different types of classroom arrangements was studied. The types of classroom arrangements included rows of tablet-arm chairs, U-shaped, clusters, and rows of tables with individual chairs. The study was carried out through a survey at a large public institution in the…

This article examines how classroom space is utilized and what this communicates about the teaching conducted there. (RC)

Shows that while no significant differences in number concepts were observed, traditionally grouped students were better readers after the first grade than children in an open-area class. (RB)

A plan for a nursery classroom employing English as the children's second language is presented in outline form. The setting for the classroom, classroom equipment, techniques in language training, teacher role as a language model, suggested lessons, and a number of miscellaneous teaching techniques are covered. (JB)

THREE SCHOOLS WERE BUILT WITH EXTENSIVE USE OF GLASS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WALLS. AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS OF USE, RESPONSE TO THESE FACILITIES BY TEACHERS, STUDENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, PARENTS, AND MAINTENANCE PEOPLE WAS DETERMINED BY QUESTIONNAIRE AND INTERVIEW. THE REPORTED REACTIONS WERE OVERWHELMINGLY FAVORABLE. (JT)

THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROPER SCHOOL LIGHTING, DRAWING DIRECTLY FROM THE NEW "AMERICAN STANDARD GUIDE FOR SCHOOL LIGHTING." PRINCIPLES FOR PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE AND EFFICIENT VISUAL ENVIRONMENT ARE THESE--(1) ANY SCHOOL LIGHTING SYSTEM SHOULD BE DESIGNED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A CHEERFUL, FRIENDLY, AND…

This paper discusses the importance of environmental factors--namely, classroom seating--to classroom management. A specific incident is discussed, whereby disruptive behavior developed in students because of the spatial separation of their desks from the teacher's desk. Solutions to the seating problem are offered in the text and in figures drawn…

Educational specifications for an educational facility are detailed in the report. Space requirements, daily schedules, and equipment (for the aurally, visually, intellectually, emotionally, learning, and motor disabled) are discussed and diagrams are provided. (CD)

In 1969, the University of Alberta General Faculties Council created a Committee to Investigate Teaching. One of the projects undertaken by this committee was designing an alternative teaching facility. Three objectives were sought: a) to provide the maximum amount of versatility in intramural design and manipulation, b) to equip it with more…

Demonstrates the utility to group process facilitators of the Steinzor Effect, which states that within leaderless groups seated in circles, speakers are most apt to get responses from persons seated opposite or nearly opposite them, and least likely to get responses from persons seated alongside or nearly alongside. (Author)

The effects of classroom lighting methods on activity level, achievement, visual acuity/fatigue, and health of nonhandicapped and handicapped students are reviewed. Effects of different levels of illumination on behavior also are discussed. Methodological deficiencies and lack of replication have resulted in few tenable conclusions. (Author/CL)

A flexible open classroom concept practiced at the Woodruff Regional Occupational Center is described in terms of how it serves employers, students, and teachers. (TA)

This paper summarizes research conducted to assess how and to what extent teachers actively use and manipulate the physical classroom learning environment as part of their instructional design. A structured interview and participant observation were used to gather data from several teachers at all grade levels, including national board certified…

Describes the Llanerch Elementary School, a traditional school which has successfully converted to open classrooms. (SP)