classromlibrary

 Comfortable areas for learning, including multiple "activity centers" Open space for gathering ||  Chairs all facing forward or (even worse) desks in rows ||
 * || ** GOOD SIGNS ** || ** POSSIBLE REASONS TO WORRY ** ||
 * ** FURNITURE ** ||  Chairs around tables to facilitate interaction
 * ** ON THE WALLS ** ||  Covered with students’ projects

 Evidence of student collaboration

 Signs, exhibits, or lists obviously created by students rather than by the teacher

Information about, and personal mementos of, the people who spend time together in this classroom ||  Nothing

 Commercial posters

 Students’ assignments displayed, but they are (a) suspiciously flawless, (b) only from "the best" students, or (c) virtually all alike

 List of rules created by an adult and/or list of punitive consequences for misbehavior

 Sticker (or star) chart -- or other evidence that students are rewarded or ranked ||
 * ** STUDENTS’ FACES ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Eager, engaged || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Blank, bored ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> SOUNDS ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Frequent hum of activity and ideas being exchanged || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Frequent periods of silence

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">The teacher’s voice is the loudest or most often heard ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">LOCATION OF TEACHER ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Typically working with students so it takes a few seconds to find her || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Typically front and center ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">TEACHER’S VOICE ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Respectful, genuine, warm || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Controlling and imperious

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Condescending and saccharine-sweet ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">STUDENTS’ REACTION TO VISITOR ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Welcoming; eager to explain or demonstrate what they’re doing or to use visitor as a resource || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Either unresponsive or hoping to be distracted from what they’re doing ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">CLASS DISCUSSION ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Students often address one another directly

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Emphasis on thoughtful exploration of complicated issues

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Students ask questions at least as often as the teacher does || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> All exchanges involve (or are directed by) the teacher; students wait to be called on

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Emphasis on facts and right answers

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Students race to be first to answer teacher’s "Who can tell me…?" queries ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">STUFF ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Room overflowing with good books, art supplies, animals and plants, science apparatus; "sense of purposeful clutter" || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Textbooks, worksheets, and other packaged instructional materials predominate; sense of enforced orderliness ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">TASKS ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Different activities often take place simultaneously

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Activities frequently completed by pairs or groups of students || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> All students usually doing the same thing

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">When students aren’t listening to the teacher, they’re working alone ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">AROUND THE SCHOOL ** || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Appealing atmosphere: a place where people would want to spend time

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Students’ projects fill the hallways

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Library well-stocked and comfortable

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Bathrooms in good condition

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Faculty lounge warm and inviting

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Office staff welcoming toward visitors and students

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Students helping in lunchroom, library, and with other school functions || <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);"> Stark, institutional feel

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(88, 72, 136);">Awards, trophies, and prizes displayed, suggesting an emphasis on triumph rather than community ||