This week, you learned about different design considerations you will want to be aware of as you set up a learning environment to be welcoming to a diverse group of learners. According to Bullard (2017), “The environment affects productivity and sends a message regarding the value we place on those that use the environment.” When teachers design their learning space, they need to consider the different spaces, furnishings, supplies, and materials to maximize learning opportunities for every child.
For your discussion this week, you will share your initial design that you created for the Week 3 assignment with your peers. You will also use a UDL Environment Checklist Download UDL Environment Checklistto review your own as well as your classmate’s designs. The purpose of this is not to evaluate but to help each other consider different ways to support all learners that can then be applied to your Week 5 final assignment.
To prepare for this discussion,
- Complete the learning activity before participating in this discussion.
- Read Chapter 6: Design Considerations.
- Choose to read any two chapters between Chapters 7 through 16.
- Review the Universal design for learning: A checklist for early childhood environments.Links to an external site.
- Review the UDL Environment Checklist Download UDL Environment Checklist.
- View the video Spaces: Teacher InsightLinks to an external site..
Initial Post
- Attach a copy of your visual layout from your Week 3 assignment.
- Explain how you would incorporate two center areas based on the concepts from your chosen chapter in the text.
- Justify how your classroom design supports the implementation of curriculum for the developmental needs of your diverse group of learners.
- Propose changes you may need to make to this design based on your readings from this week.
Preschool Classroom
A classroom of 12 students who are 2 to 3 years old. In the room you have one student Maria who comes from a home where Spanish is only spoken. Maria’s parents seem very interested in supporting her, but language is a barrier for them to communicate their needs to you. You also have one child Johnny who has cognitive and physical delays which require him to work with an aid most of the time when he is in your room. Johnny’s mom is very worried about him and would like to schedule regular meetings with you to review his goals and progress throughout the year. Then, you have a 3-year-old boy Michael who is living with a foster family after being moved around a bit. The family is overwhelmed trying to help him manage his behavior and he tends to lash out at other children often.
