Keep It Clean: Safety is always number one! That's why we want to make sure that our classrooms are free of clutter and potential safety issues. Be sure not to stack too many things on top of each other that have the potential of falling. Make sure that your seating arrangments allow for easy movement. Last but not least in this category, be sure to establish clear standards with your students on keeping the classroom tidy.
"Things You Missed" Station: This can be done with a file cubby or a bulletin board with folders hanging from it. This allows students to collect the work they missed if they were absent. Adding this station to your room can make getting missed work to students so much easier. You can also try to hand back graded work in this manner.
Teacher's Desk: This part of the room is meant to be your expressive space. Keep it appropriate and educational, but this is a great way to show students that you're a human being with a life and interests.
Display Student Work: Let your students know that their work is deserving of recognition. Keep this section updated to show that you're consistently invested in your student's accomplishments.
Be Aware of Noise: Everyone likes a good motivational quote, but staring at the same quote every class day can lose its luster. Keep posters related to content. If you want to have motivational content, keep it fresh. Post a motivational quote on a board that you can change out daily of weekly. Put yourself in the minds of your students. How will these decorations affect students taking a test, doing group work, etc?
"Things You Missed" Station: This can be done with a file cubby or a bulletin board with folders hanging from it. This allows students to collect the work they missed if they were absent. Adding this station to your room can make getting missed work to students so much easier. You can also try to hand back graded work in this manner.
Teacher's Desk: This part of the room is meant to be your expressive space. Keep it appropriate and educational, but this is a great way to show students that you're a human being with a life and interests.
Display Student Work: Let your students know that their work is deserving of recognition. Keep this section updated to show that you're consistently invested in your student's accomplishments.
Be Aware of Noise: Everyone likes a good motivational quote, but staring at the same quote every class day can lose its luster. Keep posters related to content. If you want to have motivational content, keep it fresh. Post a motivational quote on a board that you can change out daily of weekly. Put yourself in the minds of your students. How will these decorations affect students taking a test, doing group work, etc?
