Classroom Spaces That Work- Chapter 7 by Kayla Stanek

Chapter 7

"Create a classroom that is safe and healthy as possible while still being welcoming, interesting, and conducive to learning." 

Common Health Hazards in the Classroom

The most common health hazards in the classroom arise from: 

• temperature, humidity, and ventilation
• cleaning products
• sponges
• markers and glue
• carpeting and upholstered furniture
• animals
• computer video display terminals. 

I was surprised to read that feathered and furry animals, such as hamsters, can cause health problems. These animals have dander, create allergic reactions and sanitation problems, and attract insects. If there are children allergic to feathered or furry animals, teachers can choose a fish, snake, turtle, or frog for a class pet. If there aren't any children who are allergic, teachers can have feathered or furry animals in their classroom as long as they are vigilant about animal care, handling, and cleaning (Clayton, 2001). I would have my students help me clean the animal's cage so they can learn one of the responsibilities of taking care of an animal.

Keeping the Classroom Clean 

Teachers can help by: 

• keeping the amount of furniture and materials to an appropriate minimum
• making cleaning up as easy as possible (Clayton, 2001). 

I think it is important for children to learn how to clean. I would model the skills for them and give them plenty of opportunities to practice, make mistakes, and try again. I would also make cleaning fun by playing cleaning games. Children take what they learn from cleaning their classroom and use it to take care of their homes and environment. 

Example in the Classroom

• The Queen of Clean occasionally walks around the room and looks for the cleanest desk after school. The students will find a note and a Pixi Stick from the Queen of Clean in their desk if it is clean. 
• The teacher says, "Magic Trash," several times a day, and the students scatter around the classroom picking up papers, organizing the book shelf, and many other tasks to make the clutter disappear. 
• Students can also have classroom jobs to provide a variety of cleaning roles so they aren't always doing the same job (McCumbee, 2013). 

Technology 

• School Clean Up is a free app in which a girl named Lily wants to clean up her school. She has to clean up the classroom, school garden, and lab. Students can give Lily a hand by playing this game and learn what messy looks like at the same time. This would be great to use with younger students when introducing cleaning. 

Resources 

• Clayton, M. (2001). Classroom Spaces That Work. Turner Falls, MA: Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. 
• McCumbee, S. (2013). Keeping the Classroom Clean [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.mrsmccumbeesclass.blogspot.com/2013/03/keeping-classroom-clean.html