School classroom lighting is one the most fun aspects of my classroom. I love to use ambient lighting. What are ambient lights? How are they used? What makes them a good fit for the classroom? Students love them, and they create a calming effect in the classroom. Invite students into your classroom with some ambient lighting!
Classroom Lighting and Learning
Each year, I add some new element with lighting in my classroom that creates pizzazz, but also gives a welcoming and calming effect. I really like to flex my muscles here. It may be that I use a wireless remote control to turn it all on at once, it may be the place I put it, or simply just the colors that it gives off, but I have to bring the WOW factor. When I moved into my new classroom three years ago, I saw a video on a cloud light fixture that gives the effect of a lightning storm and can even move to music. I had to have it being that weather is a major part of many grade level standards, and also one of my topics to teach about.
Classroom Lighting Levels
I got my feelings hurt when I saw the price tag…. $500+. I did think right away, however, I know there is a way to make that without coming close to that amount of money. So, I got to work. That’s when I came across these little gems.
$13.98 on Amazon! This is a roll of paper led lights with a remote sensor and color changing remote. Each set has sticky adhesive and can adhere to almost any clean surface. Now that I had my light effect, all I needed was to build my cloud and hide them inside. I used a variety of white round paper lanterns that I formed together with zip ties. I covered the entire form with poly-fill after I installed the LED lights inside. Voila!
It really adds a nice touch to the mood in the classroom and has so many functions. A few other teachers have built a model after seeing mine, and they are using the color changing effect for classroom management! To think, I just wanted a cool storm cloud in my room. I was building a classroom management tool that will soon be picked up by a teacher resource company and sold for a hefty penny one day I am sure.
Classroom Lighting Research
What are ambient lights that make a difference? Using LED light rolls to replace my “old school” rope lights I had on my bulletin boards was the best decision I ever made. I had them wired to be remotely operated and love the glow of white lights that aren’t LED, but this new light set will still bring a punch and……….. it’s going to be the beginning of a unit for makers on building paper circuits. Here are a few pictures of the new installations. I have included a video of my entire classroom at the end of the post.
This is the side view which I end up using very often because of the location of the world map. Below is one more picture of the lights with an open circuit for those of you that have the joy of teaching how electricity works, and for those of you who don’t, without power going to the lights.
One of my favorite educational resource blogs is Makerspaces. Here you can find gobs of resources for all things maker and paper circuits. You will immediately see why these LED light rolls are a great way to introduce electricity through paper circuit projects. I can’t wait to get some of these activities underway this year and feature on my blog. Happy 2018-2019 school year! Let your light shine all year! What are ambient lights in the classroom? Now, you know!
Check out some of the other ways I keep engagement alive with these science resources.
Check out my ultimate guide for starting a STEM/STEAM classroom: 9 Steps to turning your classroom into STEM/STEAM classroom in any subject!
