For educators, working and teaching in a harmonious classroom environment not only makes sense, it can improve the quality and meaningfulness of their instruction. Feng Shui for the Classroom translates ancient Chinese interior decoration concepts to the school, providing teachers with strategies and suggestions for improving harmony and positive energy in their classrooms. The text gives suggestions for arranging the ideal classroom in such a way that the chi, or energy, can move freely. Key features of the ideal classroom are minimal clutter, many plants, calming sounds, and mobiles for movement. A room map, called a bagua, dictates the placement of color, furniture, and learning centers in the classroom. Feng Shui for the Classroom is appropriate for teachers of all grade levels who want to transform an impossible classroom arrangement into a focused learning environment.
How it all started: I taught Interior Design to high school students before my district asked me to use my elementary certification to teach two 7th grade language arts classes. The marriage of those two disciplines helped me to find out how Feng Shui can so effectively transform a classroom environment and to write about it for other teachers.
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Are you ready to see Feng Shui in action? Click on the title of this section to see a lesson plan that will help you to energize the diversity area of your room (the corner to your right as you walk in.)
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Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is the ancient Chinese method of interior decoration that promotes balance and well-being in our environment. Literally translated, it means “wind” and “water.” By using the guidelines outlined in my book, your classroom can become more relaxed, thereby fostering learning and reducing disciplinary issues.
I was a skeptic at first. I thought Feng Shui was all hocus-pocus. But then I got a particularly difficult group of 7th grade language arts students. I started adding Feng Shui remedies to different areas of my classroom. I began to see the students calm down after they had been in my room for a few minutes. Even the subs who covered for me reported that my classroom felt inviting and the students were reasonably well-behaved.
Chinese philosophers believe that “chi” is the essence of energy in the universe. It has a profound effect on our environment – both positive when channeled well and negative when not channeled well. Scientists know that the pineal gland is influenced by various magnetic fields that produce neurohormones to control biocycles. Therefore, the ancient Chinese philosophers who studied the movement of chi and the scientists who studied the effect of magnetic fields were actually interpreting the same phenomenon.
Chi must be free to move so it can improve health, wealth, and wisdom. If it moves too quickly, it will speed away from you. If it becomes stagnant, it will have no positive effect on you. In my book, I help teachers understand how to help chi flow smoothly around a classroom.
In a classroom, you have objects that you don't ordinarily find in your average home or office. Desks arranged in a row channels the chi in straight lines, redirecting away from the students. There is usually an overabundance of wood and metal in a classroom. Feng Shui cures can help overcome too much of one or two elements. Finally, most classrooms are very yang, which creates a hyperactive environment. Adding some yin to balance the yang will calm you and your students.
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