Classroom Environment Impacts Behavior

Physical environment has a direct impact on behavior. Consider the following aspects of environment: space, temperature, visuals, texture, scents and sounds.

• Arrange the physical layout of a classroom (e.g., furniture, location of student work materials) to ensure that students can move easily throughout the room with minimal distractions and no ‘traffic jams’ during group transitions.

• Check to see that there are no ‘blind spots’ or hidden corners in the classroom where students are not visible to the instructor.

• Seat children with challenging behaviors in an action zone , locations where the teacher is likely to receive greater eye contact and physical proximity. This also creates a number of interactions in which behavior feedback and acknowledgment of understanding can be exchanged between student and teacher.

From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS)