Set Up Your Classroom Space to Promote Learning and Engagement
Getting ready for another successful school year? Don’t forget to think about how your classroom is set up! In this blog post, we are going to focus specifically on dos and don’ts for classroom decor!
Just looking for decor? Head to my TPT store to see my decor bundles!
Whether you enjoy decorating or not, your classroom environment is closely linked to your classroom management. Even if you’ve never logged onto Pinterest in your life (which is perfectly ok!) you can use these tips to create a fun and functional classroom.
Do: Create a Welcoming Environment for All
Let’s get right to the point: the environment of the class starts with you. No matter how beautiful your class is, if your vibe is off, the whole class is going to be off. Keep things as positive, warm, and inviting as you can.
HOWEVER- whether you transform your classroom into a spaceship or you barely bother with bulletin boards, it is important that your room is clean, organized, and visually appealing.
People work best in clean spaces. Personally, I don’t like to eat at a restaurant with dirty plates stacked high on tables, or try on clothes in a dressing room with piles of dresses heaped on the floor. Clutter is unappealing and distracting. That being said, you don’t need to spend hours scrubbing and Marie Kondo-ing your classroom. Just be mindful of piles and disorganized areas. Large plastic storage bins are your friend!
Need help organizing your papers? This FREE set of drawer labels may be what you need! You can find them in my TPT store.
Don't: Overcrowd the Classroom
Even if you’re a decorating fanatic, white space is still your best friend! We’ve recently learned a lot about how classroom decor can affect neurotypical learners, and one big takeaway everyone should take notice of is that less is more.
This doesn’t mean that if you like bright colors you can’t use them! Just be thoughtful about how and where they are placed in your class. For example, keep the wall that the majority of your students face clear of all distractions outside of anything they need to see on a daily basis (for example, your alphabet line). This allows all learners the opportunity to focus on the task at hand.
Balance bright colors with lots of white space.
Do: Consider Traffic Flow
When setting up your classroom, it’s important to consider the flow of traffic. Think about how students will enter and exit the room, as well as how they will move around during class. Arrange desks and furniture in a way that allows for easy movement and minimizes disruptions. You may also want to designate specific areas for different activities, such as a reading corner or a group work area, to help students stay focused and organized.
Don't: Ignore Storage and Organization Tools
My top tip for new elementary teachers (or any teacher looking for more organization) is: use number labels for everything! Assign each student a number, then use that number to label everything that student uses, from their desk to their books to their supplies to their technology…you get the idea! This is the easiest way to organize materials, and it will greatly diminish the time your students spend looking for missing items!
Oftentimes we think of decor as being, well, just “decorative,” but it can also serve the purpose of helping you label, store, and organize more effectively.
Do: Personalize the Space for Your Students
When decorating your classroom, make sure your students feel like the space belongs to them. When selecting a theme, think about if it’s developmentally appropriate or of interest to your grade level.
Also, leave room for students to add personal touches, such as a bulletin board where they can select their best work to put on display or a shelf where you feature family photos. These little touches go a long way towards creating a classroom environment that will make students want to be involved in learning.
Ready to Start Setting Up Your Classroom?
Be sure to check out my TPT store if you are looking for ready to go classroom decor kits with inviting themes and student-friendly fonts and elements! Purchase pieces separately or save by purchasing a bundle of ready-to-print items:
