Mentor Texts with Lynne & Rose
  • Home
  • About Lynne & Rose
  • Our Books & Video
  • Grammar Matters
  • Presentations
  • Bookings
  • Blogging with Rose
  • Blogging with Lynne
  • Your Turn Lessons
  • Notebook Entries
  • Books Too Good to Miss
  • Endorsements
  • Links

A Welcoming Space

4/21/2015

5 Comments

 
Picture
        I had walked by the campus of West Chester Friends School many times before, admiring the vast, old buildings, wrought-iron fences, and open spaces for play. Recently, I had the opportunity to enter that space to share some books with a preschool class. My first stop was the office. It was a welcoming space, bright and airy and full of the light. Tall windows on every outside wall welcomed the sun. Picture books lined the wide windowsills and still more books were nestled in a magazine box next to a comfy couch. Many were titles I knew like Storm Angels, and What Is a Flower, so I felt at home. On the shelf under a low table was a basket filled with small toys – action figures, Legos, finger puppets. The walls were filled with pictures of former students on graduation day, the girls proudly holding yellow roses that matched the boys’ boutonnieres. There were pamphlets describing the school, along with books and magazines about Quaker education and philosophy, in other areas throughout the room. I took it all in and realized that this space and everything in it signified what was held to be most important here – books, play, place, peace.

            As I sat on one of the comfortable upholstered couches waiting until the class was ready for me, my thoughts turned to the countless parents entering this space for the first time, like me, except that they were most likely in the process of determining a future school for their little one. This first impression, this welcoming space, certainly would have contributed to their making a positive decision.

            We know how important space is in a classroom. It says so much about the way things will go and the opportunities our students will have. Every once in a while I think it is important to look around and think about what messages spaces convey to us and others whether it be at home, at school, or in the world.


5 Comments
Holly Mueller link
4/21/2015 03:08:44 am

School and classroom spaces definitely convey messages, and the school you visited sounds divine! I need this reminder at this time of year since my classroom looks much messier and disorganized than it did in the beginning of the year! I need to put the same care into it all year long - not just at the beginning!

Reply
Lori Sheroan link
4/21/2015 03:18:21 am

Space and place have always been so important to me; and I love the way you phrased your final sentence, "Every once in a while I think it is important to look around and think about what messages spaces convey to us and others whether it be at home, at school, or in the world." I definitely will spend some time thinking about the messages my work spaces and spaces in my home are sending out to others.

Reply
Tara link
4/21/2015 04:52:40 am

So, so true - the space is a reflection of us, and kids take note.

Reply
arjeha link
4/21/2015 05:27:29 am

Space---how we use it and how we arrange objects in that space does say so much about us. I always tried to have a welcoming classroom.

Rose, I am looking forward to hearing you and Lynne speak in Harrisburg on Thursday.

Reply
Linda Baie link
4/21/2015 01:25:45 pm

Through need, I took over a classroom this year for the first time in a few years. i moved into a lit coach position 5 years ago. The first thing the students & I did was arrange the classroom. With their ideas of what worked well, what was important to them, we created "our" space. Your words are so wise, Rose. From the entry to the classrooms, to our open spaces between the rooms, we do value how they welcome learning. Thanks!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rose shares her observations and reflections on teaching and learning.

    Archives

    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.