Classroom+Environments

=__Chair Bags __= When creating an inclusive classroom, changes to the environment are often one of the first things that will need to be addressed. The physical environment in the classroom will impact directly on whether an environment is handicapping a student (Foreman, 2008, p27). One teaching idea that I cam eacross to help an inclusive physical environment is called chair bags (Guardino& Fullerton, 2010). Chair bags (Guardino & Fullerton, 2010) are a simple idea of creating a pocket to put over the back of students chairs, ideally for primary school aged students. Having the pocket there allows for students to store their belongings somewhere conveniently located, as opposed to a locker, tray or draw in a different location. Students with a learning difficulty will be able to concentrate better in an environment with fewer distractions. Therefore; the fewer students that need to get out of their seats, the less disruption there would be during lessons (Guardino &Fullerton, 2010). This is where chair bags (Guardino & Fullerton, 2010)become a useful idea; they can hold pencil cases, workbooks, and discreetly hold individual activities for specific students. As Foreman (2008) discusses students with additional needs may need different activities in the classroom,based around the topic that the whole class is doing. The activity that has been created for the student could be placed in their chair bag (Guardino &Fullerton, 2010) earlier in the day and the student can turn around and get it themselves. These activities also apply for students who finish set activities fast or ‘fast finishers’ (Guardino & Fullerton, 2010). Chair bags (Guardino& Fullerton, 2010) would also be effective for some students with physical disabilitiesas they take away the need to walk to another location. The less storage needed in the classroom (i.e. wooden shelving etc.) leads to more space to create adequate sized pathways or other classroom adjustments. Creating inclusion in a classroom environment often involves big changes,combined with smaller modifications. Chair bags (Guardino & Fullerton,2010) are a great example of one of the smaller modifications that can be done that are teacher-friendly and student-friendly.

Foreman, P. (Ed.). 2008. //Inclusion in Action// (2nd ed).South Melbourne, Australia. Cengage Learning.

Guardino,C., & Fullerton, E. (2010). Changing Behaviors byChanging the ClassroomEnvironment. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(6), 8-13.Retrieved from AcademicSearch Premier database