8. Let them Interior Design

I read about a teacher who starts each year with blank bulletin boards and no desks or chairs in her classroom.  On the first day of school, the students decide the layout of the room. They design and decorate the bulletin boards, and they position the tissue paper, supplies, teacher desk, and even the waste baskets!  The teacher provides flexible seating options (stools, bean bags, stand-up tables, futons), large paper rolls, bulletin board border, etc..  What a great way to make a first impression that exemplifies a student-centered philosophy.  They immediately feel more empowered and more ownership of their classroom.

What are the first few things students do when they get a new bedroom, computer, smartphone, or binder?  They personalize.  They load a personalized theme and profile picture.  They decorate their room with their favorite posters, pictures, art, lighting, and furniture.  They create artwork on their binders or slip pictures in the plastic covers.  Students want to have some control over their environment.

Even if you aren’t ready to let students choose everything, could you carve out a section of your class or a bulletin board that students could personalize so that they feel more connected with you and your room?

By giving students opportunities to have ownership of their learning, whether it be picking their own topics from a list, choosing how they will demonstrate their knowledge for a project, or decorating their classrooms, you are communicating to your students that they matter … that they have a voice.

Here are some ideas to empower students by letting them have some control over your classroom environment.

Let your students:

• decorate a bulletin board with their favorite hobbies, photos, or artwork.
• decorate the door to your room.
• rearrange the seats
• write their mood/state (e.g. tired, excited) on a chalkboard or whiteboard as they walk in the room.
• create a slideshow of photos that scroll on the interactive whiteboard as students enter the room (Use Google Photos)
• create a class playlist of music to listen to when doing independent work (Use YouTube)

In what ways do you give students control over their environment in your class?  Share in the comments section below.

Let Them Help – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 1 of 11
Let them Choose their Seats – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 2 of 11
Let them Pick their Problems – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 3 of 11
Let them Pick their Project Topic – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 4 of 11
Let them Pick their Product – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 5 of 11
Let them Use their Technology – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 6 of 11
Let them Have a Break – Ways to Promote Student Autonomy – 7 of 11