What to Look for in a Classroom -Blog 7

Blog Post 7 

What to Look for in a Classroom 

Alfie Kohn 

Reflection and Connection 

 

When I think of a classroom, I think of a place that is warm, inviting, and comfortable. It should be a space that celebrates its students by displaying their work and accomplishments, making them feel proud of the environment. In my opinion, children learn best through collaboration. I love classrooms where students can talk and share ideas, which is difficult to do when desks are stuck in rows. In his list, Alfie Kohn suggests that chairs gathered around tables are far better for facilitating interaction.He also argues that the teacher’s voice should not be the only sound heard. Instead of lecturing from the front, teachers should be walking around, guiding students toward answers to foster independent thinking. Students need to feel comfortable sharing ideas and answering questions, even if they are incorrect. 

This is a far cry from what my elementary school experience looked like. My childhood classrooms were filled with "Signs of Trouble" from Kohn’s list: 

  • Desks in rows. 

  • Total silence unless called upon. 

  • Punishment. I vividly remember having to write "I will not talk in class" 300 times.  


Back then, school felt like "The Broken System," where standardized tests and strict time management dominated the way we learned. I really did not enjoy school. It felt cold and just not a place I wished to spend my time at. I was “talked to” not “spoken with”, I was not able to think independently as our school day was carefully planned out with assignments and tests. 

A classroom should be a reflection of the students inside it. Walls should be colorful and covered in student work. In the video Precious Knowledge, the walls went a step further by reflecting its students' culture. I also believe organization is key. In the classroom tour video, I noticed how an organized room helps students thrive; they know exactly where to look for learning objectives, homework assignments, and materials. A well-organized, colorful room creates a sense of belonging and clarity. 

 

While I find Kohn’s chart interesting, I don't agree with everything. For instance, Kohn suggests that having rules created by an adult posted on the wall is a “reason to worry”. I disagree. It is important for students to have clear reminders of expectations; if they don’t know what is expected, how can they succeed? I found this article that talks about the PBIS model and how to set expectations based on positive behaviors rather than negative. Perhaps this is what Kohn meant when he created this list. Expectations vs rules. 

https://www.pbisrewards.com/blog/rules-vs-expectations-first-day-school/ 

I also don't believe sticker or reward charts are inherently bad. While I understand they can be viewed as a "ranking system," they are also useful for modeling behavior. If a student is meeting their goals and doing what is asked, shouldn't that be celebrated? I’ve seen these systems work very well in classrooms I’ve visited, acting as a positive tool for reinforcement rather than just a way to rank children. However, I understand the negative side as well. What are your thoughts on this? 

 

Comments

  1. Lizzie BoyntonMarch 19, 2026 at 11:26 AM

    Hi Tanya! I actually included the same classroom photo in my blog! It's so cute and exactly what I envision my classroom looking like in the future! I too want to create a warm, inviting and comfortable environment for my students. I also included the classroom expectations list and hope to have my future students all sign this and hang it up in the classroom. I agree with you that having an organized classroom will help students learn better and feel more comfortable. I have been in some very unorganized classrooms, and it definitely reflects on students' behaviors.

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