Classroom

Hi Everyone! Thanks for coming back !

So I thought I'd dedicate this second post to the actual classroom I am observing in. As I mentioned in my last post, Mr. M.'s typical class size is around 30 students. When you enter the classroom, the first thing you see is rows of desks where the students sit. Students are allowed to choose their own seat, as long as they don't become too talkative. The desks face a wall full of dry erase boards and a smartboard. Mr. M.'s desk is also at the front of the room, along with the tv that is used to view the morning announcements. 

Behind the desks are lab benches that are used when doing experiments and dissections. These lab benches are nice to have in the classroom because they allow for hands on experimentation to flow easier and it is more sanitary not having to use the desks for everything. 

Side bench housing plants from Mr. M.'s 9th grade Biology class

Mr. M.'s class is unique in the fact that he has many pets not typical of your average high school classroom. On my first day observing, Mr. M. had nine bearded dragons....yes you read that right, NINE! Four of the bearded dragons are permanent fixtures in the classroom, while the other five babies he was giving away. One of his permanent bearded dragons had gotten pregnant over the summer and laid fourteen eggs the beginning of the school year. Mr. M. thought it would be interesting for his freshman Biology class to observe this process, so he kept the eggs in the classroom until they hatched right before Christmas. He has since gotten rid of all the babies and is back to his original four dragons.

Two of the baby bearded dragons

 More babies

Me "walking" the momma bearded dragon :)

Overall, I feel like the set up of Mr. M.'s classroom works really well for his subject area. The inclusion of the lab benches as well as the desks is an integral part of bringing the lesson to life in my opinion.

What would your dream classroom include?

Danielle