Gratitude Journal Day 16 - Windows

Today, I am grateful for windows in my classroom. 

In my first six years of teaching, my two classrooms had a wall of windows and I really enjoyed seeing the sunshine, cloudy days, rain, or snow falling throughout the seasons. 

The last three years before this school year, I had an interior room that did not have any windows and I believe contributed to my poor mental health, along with other things happening in my life.

This year, this, almost literal wall of windows is beautiful. 

Knowing the science behind learning and teaching psychology about learning, mental health and physical health, natural light is a necesity. I cannot believe that we allow children to be in rooms for hours throughout their days without natural light. This concept is absolutely wild to me and makes me think that as a society we do not like children.

I have not turned my overhead lights on all school year and will continue to just use the couple of lamps I have, only. 

The natural light is beautiful and I want my students to be in an environment that is calming and good for their mental health.