Let there be light: Does light influence transition behavior?

Let there be light: Does light influence transition behavior?Typical classroom transitions include changing textbooks, rotating between learning centers, and leaving the classroom. Instructional time may be lost during transitions. When students move between structured activities, their unstructured, transition time often becomes an opportunity for misbehavior. Students frequently become distracted, begin talking, or wander around the classroom. Handling transitions is an aspect of classroom management that is often difficult for preservice teachers and new teachers. When trying to teach rules and procedures, there is a struggle to find balance between establishing rules and procedures and the need to move through the daily curriculum. This six-week study conducted by a pre-service teacher, examined the effect of light on transitional behaviors in a K-1 classroom. Data, collected when students left the classroom and returned, was analyzed to determine if the amount of light in the classroom had any effect on appropriate student transitional behaviors.