Classroom Design--Steele’s Six Functions

Corinne TilleyMarch 3, 2015Practicum AFirst Grade

Security and ShelterThe “security and shelter” function allows students to feel comfortable and safe in their classroom. Students who feel safe are more receptive to learning.

This is an example of a retreat corner. Students who feel overwhelmed, upset, or just need to be alone, can sit on a soft, comfortable couch alone or with a stuffed animal buddy until they calm down or feel better.

Social Contact

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The function “social contact” allows students to have contact with each other at an appropriate level. Students who talk to each other can learn from each other.

This classroom has a similar setup to the classroom I visit. Four students sit at a table where they support each other, help each other with work, or just talk freely when their work is done.

Symbolic Identification“Symbolic identification” serves to tell students who they are and what is expected of them. Too many store-bought posters and materials can be overwhelming to students, which is why this teacher makes most of hers herself.

This handmade poster is designed to tell students who they are and to encourage them. It tells them that they are smart, awesome, unique, that they can do anything, and that they are here to learn. Students who are reassured of their abilities are more likely to live up to their potential.

Symbolic IdentificationThese handmade posters lay out rules, the consequences for breaking them, and the rewards for following them, clearly and in an easy way to understand.

Students know what is expected of them at all times and are learning responsibility for their actions.

Task Instrumentality“Task instrumentality” serves as a way to create a classroom environment that represents the way the classroom is supposed to function, and facilitates it.

This classroom is set up with a large, open space spanning from the door to the back of the room. The pathway to the door is clear and unobstructed, and the large rug area allows for whole class lessons close to the teacher where everyone can hear and see clearly.

Smaller groups in the open rug area are also far away enough from the desks, reading corner, and computer corner so that they won’t distract others or be distracted.

PleasureClassrooms that serve the “pleasure” function will be aesthetically pleasing to students without overwhelming them. Students would much rather spend time in a classroom that looks nice than in one that does not.

This classroom is by no means flashy, but the zebra striped rainbow border around different colored bulletin boards and continued rainbow themed color schemed throughout add a fun flare to a potentially dull room.

GrowthThe “growth” function should facilitate cognitive development and overall achievement in students.

This literacy center is clean, comfortable, and fun to be in. Students have a wide variety of books to choose from in many different subjects, from Dr. Seuss books to biographies to storybooks about school. Because students have so many options they are more likely to pick up a book to read on their own.

GrowthWhile having a wide variety of reading material is always a great idea, students may find themselves over or underwhelmed by the books they have chosen.

These are “book boxes” tailored to every student’s specific needs. Any book chosen from a student’s book box is guaranteed to be familiar, unintimidating, and appropriate for their reading level.