When you are next visiting a live classroom, or standing in your own, I want you to take a moment and close your eyes. Take in all the auditory information around you, and note the kinds of sounds in the space.

Can you hear the discussion of students? Can you clearly hear the teacher from any of the students’ places at desks or on the mat? When one person is speaking, is it otherwise silent, or is there a hum of other voices? What other background noises are present? Are students loudly taking o...