Stefanie Gonzales

ECE 251

Spring 2017

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OBSERVATION

1. School: Pinecrest Academy Horizon Telephone: (702) 749-3500

2. Teacher: Ms. Cook Age/grade level: 2nd Grade

3. Number of children: 27

4. Centers: There are 3 different programs (ST Math, Study Island, MyOn) the children use

on laptops that are considered centers. These centers, since being on a laptop are

centers that can either be at the childs desk or on the floor where the child pleases.

There is a 1:1 student/laptop ratio.

5. Floor plan (attached at end of assignment)

6. ARRANGEMENT OF PHYSICAL SPACE

Enough indoor space for children, staff, and basic furnishings for routines, play, and

learning.

There was limited play area although the area to move about and learn was adequate.

Close to the entrance of the classroom by the class library there is an open area where

play can occur, however, it is a small space.

Space is accessible to all children and adults currently using the classroom.
All children and adults in the classroom have sufficient space to move about without

running into each other or having to move around furniture. There is not a lot of extra

space in the room for anything else.

Space is accessible to children and adults with disabilities (Ex: ramps and handrails for

people needing them; access for wheelchairs and walkers; push-plate doorbell instead

of small button).

I didnt feel this class to be accessible to children or adults with disabilities. There were

no hardware in the room to accommodate someone with disabilities.

Most play areas are so crowded that play cannot progress well.

There wasnt a designated play area. The only area to accommodate play was an open

space by the class library.

At least 2 play areas have sufficient space for the type of play encouraged by the

materials (Ex: chairs do not usually block access to materials on shelves; active areas

have more space).

The open play area by the class library can potentially block the books if the children

stay close to the shelf of books to play. The 2nd play area is not present.

Space is arranged so that classroom pathways generally do not interrupt play.

The area for play and the area for learning are side by side but do not interrupt each

other.

Quiet and noisy play areas are all separated from one another, not just by furniture

but by physical space.

The quiet library area and the students desk/work area are side by side. There is no

good amount of space to divide the two areas.

Centers requiring more space (blocks, dramatic play, very popular or active play) have

sufficient space to accommodate the type of play required and the number of children

who want to participate.

There are no play centers. The centers in this class are by the use of laptops. The

children have sufficient space since they are able to take them to their desk or find a

place on the floor.

An indoor space for privacy is accessible and physically set up in the classroom to

discourage interruptions (Ex: easel for 1 child; writing table with 1 or 2 chairs; indoor

beanbag toss game where only 2 children are allowed to play at one time).

There is a multipurpose desk placed in a quiet corner of the classroom. It accommodates

2 children. There is also in another quiet corner of the classroom, the class library. This

area has a rug that could accommodate comfortably 5 children.

No play area is accessible for enrolled children with disabilities requiring special

accommodation.

There are no enrolled children at this time with disabilities.

Teachers can minimally supervise children (Ex: can hear if there are problems and

move to the area quickly; can see some of the children by glancing around the room).

The teacher is easily able to view and hear the children in the class. The teacher has

sufficient room in order to move to an area quickly if needed.

Learning materials, equipment and furniture

Chairs and tables are child-sized for 75% of the children (Ex: when sitting back in chair:

feet touch floor, knees fit comfortably under table, table tops at about elbow height).

All the chairs and tables are child-size. There is only 1 adult sized table and chair which

belong to the teacher.

Furnishing(s) providing a substantial amount of softness accessible (Ex: mattress;

upholstered child-sized couch; group of several large cushions).

There are a few crates that have been converted into a stool for the children. These

crate-stools have soft cushions on them. There is a small area rug as well located in the

class library area. All other furniture are regular desks and seats.

Enough furniture for routine care, play, and learning (Ex: each child has someplace to

store personal possessions; enough shelves for toys, books, and other materials).

Each child has a desk to store personal possessions in. There ae also 2 book shelfs to

store the classes books. There is a backpack rack for each child to hook their bags on.

There is a laptop storage unit and 2 storage cabinets to store teacher supplies and

classroom supplies.

No soft furnishings for relaxation and comfort (Ex: no rugs; no soft furniture).

There are only a few crate-stools with a soft cushion and a small area rug. There is no

other soft furnishings.

Almost all furniture is sturdy and in good repair (Ex: few I any problems, and none that

cause hazard).

All the furniture looked in great pretty much new condition.

At least 2 soft furnishings are accessible to children during play.

Only the rug is accessible to the children during play. The crate-stools serve as an actual

seat for a few children during the course of the class.

Three or more pieces of furniture designed for a specific activity are used.

The rug is used for library time or individual reading time. The desks serve for 3 different

centers (ST Math, Study Island, and MyOn). The multipurpose desk is used for privacy.

Routine care furniture is convenient to use (Ex: cubbies and cot/mats are easily

accessible without leaving room).

All the supplies for the children and the teacher are available in the class in designated

storage cabinets. The laptops and books from the teachers collection are both stored in

the room as well.

Storage of materials and equipment

Very few play materials in classroom are organized for childrens independent use.

There are few materials for play (no blocks, no toys). All supplies for the children are

organized in the storage cabinet and children can use them during free time.

Stored teacher materials should be easily available.

All of the materials that the teacher needs are easily available to her and are located

behind her desk.

Other elements of physical environment

Space is generally in poor repair (Ex: much peeling paint on walls or chipping plaster;

damaged floors; large water stains on ceiling).

There are tile floors and they appear to have deep scratches embedded in them due to

movement of heavy desks and cabinets. There are also a few visible dead flies located in

the lighting panels.

Space is poorly maintained (Ex: floors left sticky or dirty; much built up soil around

baseboards or furniture).

None of this applies to this classroom as it is a very clean and organized environment.

Adequate lighting, ventilation control, comfortable temperature, and reasonable

noise level (Ex: staff and children usually talk without raising voices to be heard; room

is not stuffy or gloomy).

The classroom has great lighting. The lights are a medium blend, not to bright but not

dark. Its a very calming atmosphere. The temperature in my opinion was to cold but all

the children seemed fine with it. The noise level was respectful. It smelled clean in the

classroom, not at all stuffy.

Space is reasonable clean and well-maintained.

This was one of the cleanest and most organized classrooms I have observed.

Natural light can be controlled (Ex: adjustable blinds or curtains).

There are blinds located on the windows and the back door that can be raised.

Most indoor surfaces are durable and easy to clean and maintain.

All of the indoor surfaces appear durable and easy to clean and maintain.
 Space is generally in good repair (Ex: no major hazards that could cause injury or

illness, and few minor problems such as a slightly torn rug or missing sections of the

baseboards).

The space all seems in good repair. I did not see anything that could be a potential

hazard.

Furniture generally in such poor repair that children could be injured (Ex: splinters or

exposed nails; wobbly legs on chairs; cots torn).

All furniture was in great repair.

All furniture is clean and in good repair (Ex: no tears in soft furnishings that expose

padding; all surfaces clean and well-maintained).

All furniture appeared fairly new and everything was very clean.

7. Diversity

There was a clear work area and a clear quiet time area (the library area).

8. Classroom in action

A. The day that I observed the class, the children had just finished up a fun run

fundraiser. When the returned to the class the teacher did some yoga with them in

the open area. This accommodated all 27 of the nicely. After this they began their

math lesson. All the childrens desks are grouped in small groups and each group

faces each other. This seating arrangement made it easy for the children to engage

with each other during math to help solve problems or discuss answers to the

questions that the teacher was asking. The children were able to get any supplies

they needed during my observation, such as paper, pencils, etc.

B. I liked the grouping of the desks. I felt this made the social interaction among the

students easy. During math the students were able to discuss the problems between

their groups and come up with the answer. I liked how there was the privacy area

with the multipurpose table. No child used it while I was there but it was a nice quiet

corner area. I feel there could have been a better area for centers. Something more

along the lines of a designated work table for each program center.

Overall evaluation of the Learning Environment

Rating: I would rate the learning environment with a 4.

Strengths & Weaknesses:

My reasoning for this rating is the lack of centers and play material. I feel even though

they are 2nd graders that I observed there should have been more play material. I feel

board games would have been nice. With the space given though I feel the teacher does

a great job accommodating centers and arts & crafts at the students desks. I loved the

quiet library corner. It seemed very peaceful and even though it was close to the work

area it didnt seem to be disturbed by the other students.

Improvements:

I would expect to see those dead flies cleaned out of the lighting panel. I would also

expect to see at least 1 designated center. Since they do 3 programs as centers on the

laptops, maybe they could have a wall designated with 5 computers and headphones so
that the children can step away from their desks to work on these programs without the

distraction of all the kids around their table.

 Teacher Storage
Window Back Doors

Chair

Teacher Storage
CLASSROOM FLOOR PLAN Teacher

Multi- Desk
Chairs

Purpose

Desk
Classroom Supplies

Art/Craft Supplies

Student Desks and Chairs

White Board
Computer Desk

Rug

Laptop
Door Backpack Rack Storage Books