In his book, Calm, Alert and Learning: Classroom strategies for Self-Regulation, Stuart Shanker talks about how aspects of the school environment can be a hidden (or not so hidden) stressor for students. Light or dark, cold or warm, noisy or quiet, soft or hard environments can cause stress for children, not to mention their own internal, emotional conditions.  At McNeely, we are experimenting with creating micro-environments, within the school and within each classroom, and providing students with some CHOICE of how they work and learn.  We say SOME choice, because there has to be flexibility.  Choices have to work for the group as well as the individual.  When students are comfortable, they are able to FOCUs on their learning, and not be distracted by other stimuli.  This is not about compliance, but about learning - improving academic outcomes through social-emotional education.