'Modern Learning Environment'... What does that mean in Room 3?

Over the holidays I made some changes to our classroom environment; the main change involving the way we use desks in the classroom. The children no longer have their own labelled desk where they always sit. They are now encouraged to choose from a variety of workspaces within the classroom that best meet their needs for any given task. This may be at a small table for one or two people, a larger table for four to six people, the tent for freedom from distraction, the couch or beanbag to curl up on, or the lap tables when working on the floor. With teacher guidance, it has been amazing to witness how quickly the children have adapted to this approach, identifying their own personal preferences and understanding that different activities require different ways of working, just as we as individuals do.

Before...

After...