#1 Check School Requirements
Before getting your heart set on a classroom theme, you should check with your team or administration. Some schools have mandatory themes that run across the school. My third year of teaching, my school joined a program. Fifth grade was assigned Europe and each classroom had to represent a country within Europe. I did a Parisian theme and loved it, but it was a huge switch from what I had done the year before!
#2 Meet with Your Principal
If possible, schedule a meeting with your principal. Write down questions you have about your classroom. Keep it short because principals are busy at this time of year too. Here are some questions that you might find helpful:
- What are some things you expect to see in my classroom?
- How will you observe my classroom when you come in for my observation?
- Is there a few exemplar teachers you would recommend I see for classroom set up?
My first year of teaching I sat down and asked these exact questions! Many of the things I already knew: I would be observed on my objectives being posted, and the expectation was that they were easily located, easily read, and easily understood. I also found out that I needed to have the date clearly posted on the board. This meeting will put your mind at ease and guide your vision.
#3 Think of Your Happy Place
Is your happy place a rainbow, DisneyLand, the beach, the library, the Hogwarts castle? Where are you happiest? It's important that however you decorate and design your classroom make you happy. You will spend about 70% of your week in your classroom. Wow! That's a lot! So your classroom needs to make you happy for 185 days. It needs to be a place where you can feel joy so that you can pass that joy onto our students.
#4 Save Money
Your happy place should not cost you millions of dollars. Target's Bulleye's Playground, Michaels' and Hoppy Lobby's app for coupons, the Dollar Tree, and even thrift stores are a good place to talk. Your classroom shouldn't break the bank. Here's the deal. Things get ruined. Whether it's a leak in the ceiling, too much sunshine, or a super upset student on a rampage, things get ruined. Set a budget and stick to it! If it involves you remortgaging your home, set a new budget!
#5 Keep Students in Mind
While creating your happy place, remember students need to learn here. No matter your theme it should add to the learning experience, not detract from it. If students are too busy looking around or staring at things, your classroom is distracting. I recommend, no matter the theme, that you pick a color palette of 2-3 colors. Remember: your anchor charts will add color. Your students will add color. You will have students with ADHD who are unmedicated. You will have students with sensitivity to certain colors. You will have students with a tendency to daydream. Be sure the environment you create keeps these students in mind!
Document your progress! Enjoy the experience! Best of luck teacher friends!
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