My internship classroom has a positive learning environment and an encouraging climate.  There are many
colorful and interesting educational artifacts around the room.  The classroom walls are filled with meaningful
words and appealing pictures.  The student’s desks are arranged in groups of four, which supports a
collaborative learning environment.  There is also an area with pillows and many fun books for the students to
relax and enjoy reading. The school is fortunate enough to have a work area in each classroom, which consists of
a sink and plenty of counter space.  It is a great entity in the classroom because it gives freedom to do great
hands-on messy projects.  The class also has a convenient bathroom, so the students do not have to waste their
valuable learning time wondering the halls.  Another great physical feature about the classroom is that there are
big windows and a door that leads out to an outside area with a picnic table.  All of these features create a
wonderful environment where the students feel comfortable and excited to learn.
     My internship classroom not only has excellent learning tools, but also has a mentally stimulating learning
environment.  The teacher has created an environment where the students feel comfortable to share their ideas
and communicate freely.  She has control over her students, but she is not completely strict about talking out of
turn because their ideas should be voiced. I think, at times, if a first grader does not speak his or her mind when
they have a thought they will forget it.  If they discuss their ideas freely then they will learn from one another.  My
teacher has also made it clear that if a student is speaking all other students should be listening attentively to what
he or she is saying.  To put it in a better way, she is simply teaching respect.  All the students have been affected
by a positive learning environment because they are always ready to learn and excited to talk about their
thoughts.

    I want to have a learning environment similar to the one in my internship classroom.  I want to create a place
and a feeling where students can comfortably express their ideas and that enhances their creative capabilities.  I
want each one of my students to feel that they are capable of anything.  I want to challenge them, but also teach
how mistakes can often lead to understanding.  I want to have an exploitative environment, where the students
value learning and have fun learning through discovery.  I want to create a collaborative learning atmosphere by
encouraging students to come together with their ideas and learn from one another.  I see myself as a teacher, but but also as a learner.  I see my students as learners, but also as teachers.
The physical environment of my classroom will reflect the learning climate.  I want desks to be arranged in groups to enhance group discussions and exchanging of ideas.  I also want an area in which the children have room to move grove.  I think it is very important to include bodily movement throughout the lessons of the day.  It keeps your body alert and your mind awake.  Hopefully I will be lucky enough to have a technology center in my classroom because I think it is very important for the children of today to be familiar with a computer and other technological resources that can enhance learning.  I also want to have an enormous wall where all the students work can be displayed.  It will be wonderful if I can have an area in the room where we can do hands on activities and get messy.  I would use the area for science experiments, art projects, or to even split up into groups for reading.  Most importantly, I hope to have an extensive library of books.  This area in my room will have pillows and shelves and shelves of books.  I think the key to learning is through experience.  If we are not able to experience first hand, hopefully a book can bring us back into the past or into another person’s shoes.  I hope to create a comfortable, yet challenging learning environment for my students.