It's a no-brainer that classrooms should be inviting environments that make students feel good to be there. What does your classroom physical environment say about your classroom culture? When looking at the Classroom Framework, NHA identifies several expectations under the Physical Environment indicator.

Classroom Culture		Teacher leads a self-managing classroom by building positive relationships, maintaining physical space, sustaining classroom routines and procedures, and holding students accountable to behavioral expectations.
Indicators	Ineffective		Developing	Effective	Exemplary
Physical Environment: Teacher optimizes the physical space of the classroom for student learning by maintaining a clutter free and print-rich environment, providing access to materials, as well as arranging space for movement and collaboration.	A) Teacher does not maintain physical space in a way that optimizes student learning.		B) Teacher maintains a clutter free environment. C) Teacher purposefully arranges the learning space. D) Teacher arranges materials for students to access.	E) Teacher arranges the learning space in a way that optimizes movement, collaboration (student-student, teacher-student) and presentation. F) Teacher creates a print-rich environment that comprises a majority of authentic student or teacher created materials along with real life materials	G) Students utilize materials and furniture arrangement to further their learning. H) Students self-manage and contribute to maintaining the cleanliness and order of the classroom.

To reach the exemplary level, I’ve created a checklist.

·       Is your classroom void of clutter on your desk, floor, and your walls? When every space on your walls has something on it, it can be overstimulating to some students. Err on the side of more wall space, less posters.

·       Can your students access materials and are they utilizing them? Or are all your assignments paper-pencil?

·       Do you have students’ desks arranged in a way that encourages collaboration? I understand that different types of instruction require different seating arrangements, so there is more than one way to arrange your seats. However, consider that if you have seats in rows, students at the front can't see any of the students in the class. Those in the back mostly just see the heads of their classmates.

·       Is majority of the work around the room created by you and your students? Or from the teacher store and Teachers Pay Teachers? I love walking into classroom where there is a wall dedicated to student work, anchor charts are posted (What, How, Where; Math Stories; Social Contract; etc.), and a moral focus wall is displaying evidence of the lessons you have taught.

·       Do you have a designated space in your classroom to meet with students for small group instruction?

·       Do students contribute to the cleanliness of your room when transitioning from one subject to another?

Thank you for taking to time to reevaluate your learning environment. Importantly, including students in creating the physical environment can enhance that environment, increase the feeling of classroom community, and give students a sense of empowerment.