The concept of room transformations started right there, in Hope King’s classroom at the famed Ron Clark Academy, in Atlanta, GA. Due to an increasingly large number of teachers visiting her classroom every year, the concept is gaining popularity and is spreading fast among educators.
“Room transformations are a way to change up the classroom decor in order to bring students into a new (simulated) environment that will set the mood for and support the content”
-King, W. and H, The Wild Card
This concept can be used by any professional coming in contact with students, as long as they have an actual room, and are working on specific skills or concepts. However at the moment room transformations are mainly used by teachers in the regular education setting. The general idea behind this concept is to drive engagement for difficult or unpopular topics or skills, through hands-on engaging activities, with the ultimate goal of making real-life connections.
Classroom transformations drive engagement and here is why they work:
1. Our bodies are designed to move.
2. Some people think best when they are moving.
3. Classroom transformations fully engage diverse types of learners, from visual to kinesthetic ones.
CLASSROOM TRANSFORMATION ARE GREAT IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SETTINGS
The concept of room transformations was introduced in literature in reference to the regular education, and to this day there is no research showing the impact or even evidence of room transformations used in the special education setting, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work with our students. I often thought of this concept as a fun way to engage students, but if we want to somehow classify it I am wondering if it would it be considered an instructional strategy? A teaching method? I am even tempted to go as far as calling it an excellent assistive technology strategy. And why not? Think of the definition: assistive technology means “inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids”. Room transformations are based on curriculum and the content we teach. If assistive technology helps people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and more, then classroom transformations are yet another way of assisting our special needs students by making the content more accessible and more concrete. Classroom transformations use hands-on learning activities. They deepen understanding. They allow students to make cross curricular connections and to experience a subject from a new perspective, using all types of intelligence (kinesthetic, musical, logical, interpersonal, etc). Why would they not work with our students? Since research show that engagement is key when it comes to learning, classroom transformations fit the special education needs perfectly. Also room transformations bring the element of fun and magic into the classroom. Our students can enjoy it just as much as any kid in regular education!
Room transformations revolve around the elements of surprise and novelty. Teachers who are using this approach drive engagement by bringing the magic and the unexpected in the classroom, leaving students wanting more and more. Students work in groups or pairs to solve different tasks with various levels of complexity, they unlock treasures or prizes in order to advance to the next level, and never have time to be bored or misbehave. Even though the students perform writing tasks, complete recording sheets and even worksheets, they don’t think of it as work because of all the props and costumes that make it fun and interesting.
HOW TO PICK A THEME FOR A ROOM TRANSFORMATION
Content can be tied to just about anything. Decide the concept first, and then add whatever content/skill/strategy/essential standard you are working on. Any content that is popular among students (music, movies, video games, food, board games, etc) can be used. If students love the theme, the engagement will be even greater. You can also pick your theme based on the unit you are teaching. I did a room transformation on a Cinderella guidebook unit last year. It matched the content I was teaching in its entirety, with no elements of novelty, and that was ok. Everybody loved it. Even regular ed students had some lessons in my room enjoying the displays.
WHERE TO START A ROOM TRANSFORMATION
First, I decide what space to use and what for, then I prep the room. Next I gather the materials. They can be store bought items, parent donated items, co-worker lent items, DIY items or you can just ask in the community. Many businesses love to donate! The next step is setting up the space and testing the environment. You want to make sure that the allotted space works fine for your students in terms of navigating around, reaching materials, safety, etc. If I am happy with how everything looks and works together, I go ahead and just …teach!
A lot of teachers are afraid of room transformations. They think they are too costly or too time-consuming. They can be a bit time-consuming. That is correct, especially if you want to do it right, and not just decorate your room, but also meet the RIGOR for your content. On the other issue, I don’t necessarily agree. I can tell you that your room transformations don’t need to break the bank, unless you want to be all fancy and cute, but most of the time, I’ve learned that students don’t care about fanciness. Sometimes they don’t even notice the finest details that you spend hours on crafting. It’s mainly the adults that do! Students are happy with just a few minimal decor items that transport them for a while to a different imaginary place. Now I do have to warn you: once you start, there is no going back. You will get addicted and so will your students! I dare you to go ahead and try one! Bring that magic to your classroom! You’ll love your students’ precious reactions! Don’t wait for pixie dust! Create your own magic. You have that power! You are IT! And your students will reward you with an unprecedented amount of enthusiasm and hard work!
For examples of room transformations I’ve created for my students, please visit ROOM TRANSFORMATIONS.