Alter+or+Recreate+the+Learning+Environment

=//__Alter or Recreate the Learning Environment__//=

**What is it? **

 * ====Alter or recreating the learning environment is exactly what it sounds like. The teacher alters or recreates the classroom based on the topic of discussion. This strategy is great for when introducing a new topic because the students can clearly visualize what they will be learning about. ====

**How to do it: **

 * ====Before school begins, arrange desks like the inside of an airplane. As the students come in to the classroom, greet them with, “Welcome to Towson Airlines, please take your seats and our flight will begin momentarily.” When all students have arrived, half the students close their eyes and pretend as though you are traveling from the United States to whatever place in time, country, or event you are discussing. Provide maps, interesting facts, readings, anything about that topic that may be important for the students to visualize. ====
 * It does not always have to be an airplane. For example, if you are discussing the Lewis and Clark expedition you could have the students “travel” in canoes. The teacher could talk about the different animals, physical features, and landmarks they “see” as they are canoeing down the river.
 * If the topic of learning is the Europeans coming to America, depending upon where the school is located, you could even have the students walk outside and pretend they are exploring the New World. Ask them what they would feel like if they just landed on a new piece of land.

**Strengths: **

 * ====Students can visualize what they will be discussing with the descriptions from the teacher ====
 * ====If some students already know about the topic, they can become the “flight attendant.” ====
 * ====Gives a more comfortable feel to the classroom- not as structured as sitting in desks and the teacher lecturing. ====
 * ==== All students participating. ====
 * ====Great pre-assessment- teachers can see if students have any prior knowledge of topic. ====
 * ====Great engagement for students. ====

**Limitations: **

 * ====If teacher wants to take class outside, this strategy will be weather dependent. ====
 * ====Takes away from instructional time when putting the classroom back together. ====