Classroom Makeover Beginnings

I finished getting my room ready for the summer yesterday. Everything is stacked, put away, and off the floor, ready to be waxed. I've decided to give my room a total makeover.

In the past I've had posters all over the place of things I thought were important for the kids to see: reading strategies, writing strategies, test-taking skills, etc. All of the things most of us put up. But when I asked the kids if they liked the posters, they said they loved them and used them a lot, but they felt it was too much to look at, almost information overload. The plan is to make it look more inviting to a 9-year-old, without being overwhelmed by all the posters. =)

I started with a theme, the forest, since I love the great outdoors. I wanted to make the room more inviting for the kids and myself, a place everyone is excited to go to. The first order of business was to put up some wall decals. I figured if they stayed up all summer, they will stay up throughout the year. Here's a before and after.

 Here's another thing I did before the school year was over. We've all seen the "Types of Writing" bulletin board on Pinterest, probably. I made my own version of the bulletin and changed some of the types of writing to fit more with what I teach. I also had this year's kids make some first drafts of each type of writing for next year's kids to read. The plan is to display two pieces each. I think it worked out nicely. I love the story title, "Chicks with Brains."