Kimberly Wood with inspiration book
Detroit-area art teacher Kimberly Woody has done a Feng Shui makeover in her high school classroom this fall. To improve student’s behavior and grades, Ms. Woody has incorporated the principles of de-cluttering and the five Chinese elements.
Woody said she believes feng shui will help her students focus, thus improving grades and behavior. "Not only does an orderly environment improve student learning, but it improves their psychological comfort," Woody said.
In the “fame and reputation” area of the classroom, she incorporated the color red and triangular shapes – symbolizing the Fire element which inhabits this space. In this space she will place her students artwork. In addition, her
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IMs. Wood in the "Fame" area of room
The five natural elements are essential to feng shui, the ancient Chinese art and science of arranging space to welcome beneficial energy while deflecting harmful energy. With Taoist roots, Feng Shui proponents believe that “to live in harmony with nature will bring good fortune.”
"I fully expect it to work," Woody said. To prove her theory, she will compare student's grades from last year to this year, and do a series of student surveys.
Ms. Woody learned about feng shui from the book "Feng Shui in the Classroom" (Zephyr Press, 2004). "When I was reading it, I thought, 'That would be perfect; I can do that.' "
Many classrooms are overloaded with visual clutter, which, in turn, creates mental clutter. With a more streamlined classroom, students are more able to focus with limited distractions.
"If the classroom environment comes first, learning and behavior will follow," Woody said. "This is an area that is neglected in many classrooms."
Educational experts also say classrooms affect learning. Mohegan Principal Jim Fields was skeptical that Woody’s overhaul would have an impact. But when he toured the finished classroom, he retracted his skepticism. "The room looks great," Fields said. "It's very calming. You walk in and it's kind of peaceful and I think it'll be a nice experience for the kids."
Woody even found some research that backs it up. A 2007 book, "Comprehensive Classroom Management: Creating Communities of Support and Solving Problems" (Allyn and Bacon, 2007), found that well-arranged classrooms could decrease the amount of time teachers spend on classroom organization from the usual 35% to 40%, to about 15%, leaving more time for teaching.
Fields agreed with Woody that classroom environment is a key element of student success. "The environment that any teacher or school provides for a student is basically the first step on their road to success, or failure," Fields said. "When you give them the environment where they can be productive, they'll live up to that expectation."
Original article by Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki, September 1, 2009
Copyright @ 2009 Detroit Free Press, September 1, 2009
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