On the other hand, it is best that they first carefully observe their existing patterns of behavior. Special versions of the floor plans can be produced by the children to show where certain behaviors most frequently occur. These might include a plan showing the greatest density of use. Another could show where arguments break out. Yet another might show the different degrees of talking in different parts of the classroom.
Children can also learn to make some simple bar charts of the data for different times of the day.
These might be useful in helping to rethink the organization of the class timetable. Such charts can initially be made with the whole class observing the process on a large piece of paper on the wall. The children can then follow this format to produce numerous charts to show other phenomena. Issues that had previously been your responsibility as a teacher will now often be raised by children and discussed more collectively. For example, children might point out why noise occurs at certain times or why children get involved in arguments about the use of equipment.