The atmosphere within a kindergarten classroom should be conducive to learning. You might find posters to motivate the students, such as "You Can Do It," or posters encouraging students to read. Other decor found in the classroom is often made by students in the form of thematic art projects and examples of student work which fosters pride and confidence within kindergarten students. Bulletin boards and the common gathering area of the classroom might include a calendar, weather chart, short sight words, numbers and their values, and alphabet letters.
A variety of learning tools, also called manipulatives, contribute to the comprehension of concepts and are often found in kindergarten classrooms to give students the opportunity for hands-on lesson activities. Manipulatives include blocks, snap-together cubes and counters, among many others. Dramatic play items, a listening station with headphones and books on tape, and artistic supplies also foster a wide array of learning and are commonly included in a kindergarten classroom's supply inventory.
The orientation of desks arranged within the classroom can say a lot about the teaching strategies used by the kindergarten teacher. Desks that are separated into rows and columns may be used for individual assessments but often do not promote a teamwork-type of teaching. Desks grouped into threes or fours allow children to collaborate on projects and assignments and encourage the development of social skills as well as educational skills. Desks arranged in a semi-circle may suggest that the teacher often lectures in front of the class, which may not be ideal for a kindergarten classroom.
Picture and introductory reading books should be aplenty in a kindergarten classroom to encourage a love of reading and literacy. The alphabet and some blended sounds may be displayed for student reference. You may find an area of the classroom devoted to individual reading with comfortable seating such as beanbag chairs or floor pillows. The common gathering area of the class often contains a rug for child seating, and may also present the alphabet letters; this is where the teacher reads aloud stories that pertain to thematic units or subject areas.