Since my family moved into a new house almost five years ago, we have worked to make it our own. We started with new paint and flooring throughout the house. Then we went room by room to add the final touches of furniture, art, and décor. But when we came to my office, I couldn't decide what I wanted on the walls, so I just left them bare ‚Ķ I guess I just wasn't ready.

Finally, after several years of choosing to do nothing, I figured it out. I wanted art that would make me happy and inspired because it meant something to me. I wanted to fill my walls with art created by my children—and that is exactly what I did. My walls are now covered with school art, table drawings, homemade cards and letters, and one of my favorite inspirational quotations right in the middle of it all. Now my office is complete, and it makes me so happy. I have a nice desk, two large bookshelves, a comfy chair and ottoman, and the most beautiful walls in the world.

Since my office transformation, I have noticed that I have more staying power. Whether I am reading the latest PD book, writing an article, or engaging with seminar participants, I feel more focused. I can work for longer periods of time because I am comfortable—and happy—in my setting. Comfort plays a role in stamina.

This observation directly relates to the classroom. When students are familiar with their surroundings and comfortable there, they can work longer. The stamina of a child sitting in a desk reading a book, compared to that of a child on a couch or in a bean bag chair, is noticeably different. We can provide familiar and comfortable settings in many ways.

1. Fill classroom walls with student work and anchor charts created with and by your students. It will create a familiar setting for students, and they're more likely to refer to work that they had a hand in creating.
2. Provide a variety of seating options—desks, chairs, carpet squares, bean bag chairs, couches, rocking chairs, pillows, yards of fabric, etc.
3. Allow students to choose their seat. Some children may want to sit in a desk, and others will prefer the floor, a carpet square, a couch, a bean bag chair, or even a box. Encourage students to reflect on where they read best, and help them find their good-fit locations in the classroom.
4. Add finishing touches such as plants, family photos, framed artwork, light fixtures, and curtains.

With just a bit of effort on your part, your classroom can be a place where students feel happy and inspired, filled with things that mean something to them. (Just like my office!)