How to Decorate a Classroom

Help your students feel engaged and ready to learn as soon as they set foot in your classroom. Decorate the walls (and ceiling) with vivid, educational and entertaining displays to ignite their imaginations and encourage active learning and class participation.

Instructions

1. Hang charts that reinforce basic skills they'll need throughout the year. The value of coins, the proper form of cursive letters and the meaning of proofreading marks are just a few pre-made charts you'll find at a teacher supply store. Ensure they're not facts (like multiplication tables) that students can simply copy during tests.

2. Post the daily class schedule to keep students on task and help substitutes on the days you're absent. Decorate it with snapshots of the kids actually participating in those activities.

3. Create a poster of the classroom rules. Add a sticker chart to reward good behavior and present small toys or treats when students reach a certain number. Also post color-coded cards you'll change for negative behavior with consequences like missed recesses or notes to parents.

4. Display seasonal embellishments for a festive touch. Try twinkling lights, inflatable ornaments hung from the ceiling, pictures of students opening presents and class-decorated snowflakes in winter, for example.

5. Showcase student artwork, creative writing and photos from field trips and class activities to personalize the room. Design a mini-gallery by displaying drawings and paintings in inexpensive frames.

6. Add posters of appropriate pop culture icons if they're not too distracting, and if your school allows it. A cool touch here and there will make the classroom a fun place to be.

7. Ask your students to help. Gather input on which projects and posters they'd like to see on the walls. Consider leaving one corner blank, allowing a different child to decorate it each week.