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Without saying a word, classrooms send messages about diversity, relationship building, communication, and the roles of teachers and students. The classroom setup should be student-centered. Specifics will vary from teacher to teacher and class to class, but common elements include the following:

Classroom milieu. Classrooms should be decorated with multicultural images that mirror students’ backgrounds and showcase the diversity of our society.
Arrangement of furniture and supplies. The arrangement will look different depending on age group and subject, but all teachers can draw on these goals when setting up a classroom: supporting collaboration, fostering dialogue, encouraging ownership, and ensuring comfort.
Student roles and responsibilities. Classrooms will be most effective when they are structured to maximize students’ voices and participation.
Classroom norms. Norms and expectations should take into account different cultural and communication styles, gender differences, language needs, and the desire to challenge stereotypes. Students should be involved in setting classroom norms to generate buy-in.