As a teacher, it is your job to build a cheerful and warm learning environment for students all year round. Fortunately, you can decorate your classroom so students can learn in an organized and visually appealing environment. Even if your budget is small, you can still make your classroom a fun place for students to learn and grow.
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Method 1 of 4: Determining the Classroom Style
Step 1. Decide what kind of atmosphere you want to build
Make your teaching philosophy the basis for classroom design inspiration. For example, do you want to create a comfortable atmosphere or do you want to look professional in class? Do you want students to feel calm or excited? Use these questions to determine what kind of atmosphere you want to build.
- Cozy classrooms have a “friendly” and warm décor, while professional-style classrooms feature basic colors with some educational posters.
- The quiet classroom atmosphere has a minimalist design, while the more vibrant classroom atmosphere features bright colors and a variety of posters.
Step 2. Choose the furniture arrangement according to your teaching style
Consider how you and your students interact with one another. You can arrange benches in rows to limit chat, group benches to encourage collaboration or collaboration, or large circles to help with class discussion. You can also create systems for different types of groupings, but make sure your classroom can accommodate the groupings you want to apply.
- Make sure the placement of the teacher's desk, bookcase, and organizational furniture is correct so as not to interfere with the arrangement or arrangement of student seats.
- For example, you could place the teacher's desk at the front of the class so you can observe all students and build authority. You can also place the teacher's desk at the back of the class so as not to intimidate students. Meanwhile, the position of the bench on the side of the class can create a balance between supervision and student comfort.
Step 3. Adjust the decor according to the age of the students
It is important that you adapt the décor to the age of the student because the décor can affect how students learn and behave in class. Children should feel happy and brave to learn, while teenagers should stay interested in the lessons while maintaining their responsibilities.
- Bright colors, interesting shapes, and educational reminders can help younger students. For example, you can set up a multiplication table in your class.
- Junior high school students may find inspirational posters and classroom settings enabling them to be independent.
- High school students may not really like the "cute" classroom interior. However, the balance between a comfortable class atmosphere and a professional interior can be a more appropriate choice.
Step 4. Incorporate the subject matter in the class decor
By reflecting the subject or material you teach, class decor can help students focus on learning or understanding the material. Choose posters, photos, and colors that match the subject.
- If you teach older children, the entire class can reflect the subjects you are good at. For example, a history teacher could select some inspirational quotes from historical figures and decorate the class with various historical timelines.
- For younger children, you can create several areas in the classroom for each subject. Because they study a wide variety of subjects in one room, your class needs to reflect everything they will learn. For example, you can set up a reading corner, math wall, word wall, history timeline, and science corner.
Method 2 of 4: Creating Classroom Decorations
Step 1. Use gift wrapping paper to line the door or bulletin board
Take a large roll of gift wrapping paper and prepare a piece of paper large enough to cover the classroom door or bulletin board. Make holes for door and window knobs (if any). After that, use adhesive tape to attach the paper to the door, or staples to attach it to the bulletin board.
If you want a solid-colored coating, use a roll of butter paper (or other wrapping paper, such as brown rice wrapping paper). Usually these products are sold in supermarkets or craft stores in white, brown, black, and sometimes “seasonal” colors like red, green, or yellow
Step 2. Create a border or frame using masking tape
Whenever you put up a poster or picture, or decorate a bulletin board or classroom door, use tape to make straight or zigzag frames. Simply pull the adhesive tape to the required length to cover one side of the door or board, then flatten it or arrange it by hand to create a straight or zigzag line. After making the frame, cut the ends of each ribbon.
- You can find duct tape, colored adhesive tape, or painter's tape at most home and craft supply stores.
- There is a special craft adhesive tape known as washi tape (washi tape). This product is suitable for making borders or frames.
Step 3. Make a paper ball to hang from the ceiling
The propeller is an interesting classroom decoration and can be easily made by children. Decorate several colorful paper plates, then cut out in a spiral pattern from the outside to the center of the plate. Make a hole in the center and use string or ribbon to attach the propeller to the classroom ceiling.
This can be an interesting craft project to do with students at the change of seasons. You can update the decorations in the classroom and the kids can see the propellers
Step 4. Make a circular welcome banner out of paper to display in front of the class
Cut 7 circles out of construction paper (or thick cardboard), then write one letter of the word “WELCOME” on each circle (or 13 circles if you want to use the phrase “WELCOME”). Make holes in the left and right sides of the circle, and thread ribbon or string through the holes to make a welcome banner.
- You can hang the banner above the door or even hang it on the door.
- To give it a “depth” or framing effect, cut out larger circles of a different color to attach to the back of each circle.
- Feel free to make several banners for each different season or celebration, such as “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Eid!”.
Step 5. Write the rules and class goals or objectives on the poster
Each class must have a clear set of rules that every student can know. In addition, city or county regulations may require you to present classroom learning goals or standards that each student must meet. Make the poster colorful and attractive to match the rest of the decor.
- For example, for a math class, you could put up a poster with some equations that students must solve or master. Make sure you close this poster during quizzes or exams (if necessary). This is important to remember, especially if the poster that is posted contains the answers to the exam questions.
- For science subjects, you can hang posters showing the attitudes to follow and good laboratory rules.
Step 6. Decorate the walls with pictures that match the subject
Make sure every decoration on the wall has a function because students' attention can be distracted with too many decorations. Choose quotes, photos of inspiring figures, or pictures related to the subject to display on the classroom wall and encourage students to be interested in the material you teach.
- If you are an English teacher, you can post quotes from novels to be read in class.
- For chemistry class, you can put up a poster of the periodic table in front of the class because you will need to refer to it throughout the school year.
Step 7. Turn one of the bulletin boards into a “achievement wall” for students
Write each student's name on a card and post it on the bulletin board. At the start of the school year, ask each student to bring a photo of someone or something that means a lot to him or her. After that, ask all students to help you paste the photos under their names and tell stories about someone or something that means something to them.
This can warm up the atmosphere for young children and help them feel more comfortable in class because they can remember things they care about, even while studying in class
Method 3 of 4: Spend within a Budget
Step 1. Try to set aside 1 million rupiah (or less) to buy decorations every year
Some schools provide a small fee for each teacher to decorate the classroom, while other schools require teachers to use their own money. Determine how much you can afford to spend on materials and decorations. Generally, a fund of 1 million is considered enough to buy class decorations (for one year).
- Don't forget to prioritize class materials over decorations. Items such as pencils, paper, books, and folders are far more important to students' success than bulletin boards and colorful posters. Usually the school only provides these items in a certain amount so teachers need to buy additional items.
- Keep in mind that even if you have limited funds, you can still build a fun and warm atmosphere in the classroom for students.
Step 2. Visit discount stores for great deals on decorating supplies
Construction paper, adhesive tape, and markers are sometimes sold at high prices. Try visiting discount stores (eg “All 5 Thousand” stores) or head to the “cleaning” section of a craft supply store for discounted decorating supplies. Don't forget to ask the shop about discount offers for teachers!
Some items (eg holiday/celebration decorations) will be immediately sold at a bargain price after the holiday or celebration in question ends. Head to a craft supply store a few days after the holiday or celebration ends to buy special themed decorations that can be on display next year at great discounts
Step 3. Print an image from the internet to mount on the wall
Even though posters or pictures in shops are sometimes sold for very high prices, teachers can usually still use a printer. Read the lesson plans or class syllabus for a school year and look for pictures of important ideas, figures, and topics to be covered in the year. After that, print all the pictures and trim the edges before attaching them to the wall using adhesive tape.
- For a prettier look, you can create small “frames” on the sides of each image by attaching construction paper to the back. As another option, you can find cheap photo frames at thrift stores or garage sales.
- For example, for a history course, you could print black and white photographs of historical figures and hang them in front of the class. Throughout the school year, you can point to photos and talk about the person in question. At the end of the school year, you could ask each student to name the characters on the wall.
Step 4. Display student projects and work in class
As the school year progresses, you may want to change the class decor, but you don't need to buy new equipment. Instead, replace the bulletin board with an exhibit of student projects, assignments, or class activities. Include a small description of the assignment and make sure you hang each student's work.
- If permitted, take class photos while students are working on projects or assignments throughout the school year. Print the photos taken and post them on the bulletin board in the “ongoing projects” section.
- Keep in mind that you should not post assignments that display grades.
Step 5. Purchase some additional furniture and decorations from a thrift store
If you need an extra desk for class or an extra bookcase to store more books, visit a thrift store, consignment store, or flea market. Choose items that are in good condition, but don't have to be perfect as there's a good chance they will be marked by the school as class inventory!
Keep in mind that usually repainting old furniture generally costs less than buying new furniture. However, sometimes you can get great deals from the “end” segment of furniture stores
Step 6. Reuse household items for use in class
Items such as empty jars, magazines, old books, trash cans, trays, and even cardboard can be used in class. Make sure you thoroughly clean the items you bring to class, and remove or remove your personally identifiable information from magazines and books.
- For example, you can use an empty mason jar to hold pencils, markers, or rulers on a student's stationery desk.
- You can use old magazines or broken books to make collages and class decorations.
- Items such as cardboard boxes and trash cans can provide additional storage for small classes, without requiring you to spend a lot of money.
Method 4 of 4: Installing Special Purpose Decorations
Step 1. Choose a color scheme for the base color of your bulletin board and other classroom decor
To prevent the bulletin board from distracting students while studying, choose 1-2 colors that will be used for decoration. After that, use these colors in other class decorations so that the class appearance looks unified and directed.
- For example, you could choose yellow and white as your main color scheme and create a white bulletin board with a yellow border or frame. After that, you can use yellow accents in class to direct students' attention to important aspects or materials.
- If you teach biology, you can choose green and dark blue as your main color scheme. After that, you can create a green bulletin board with a blue border (or a blue board with a green border). Choose posters that feature trees, lakes, or other earth-related images.
- You can also use official school colors as a classroom color scheme for a quick source of inspiration.
Step 2. Make additional “stations” or desks for additional items that students may need
Set up student desks at the front or back of the class that will hold pencils, sharpeners, adhesive tape, staples, hand sanitizer gel, tissues, and additional paper clips that students can use. With this equipment desk, they don't have to ask you when they need extra supplies or forget to bring a pencil to school.
You can also place a "ticket" in and out of the bathroom on this table so that students must take the card before going to the bathroom during class
Step 3. Use chests or baskets to store folders of files, books, crafts, and papers
Organizing messy things in class can be difficult at times, but a versatile wooden crate could be the perfect solution for you. Look for 2-3 chests or baskets sold at discount stores, then place them around the classroom. Label the chests or baskets so students know what they do (eg red basket for books, blue basket for paper).
- For example, you could create a chest or basket labeled “Substitute Assignment and include five folders labeled Monday through Friday (or until Saturday if school lasts six days). Throughout the week, put additional work papers from class activities in the appropriate day folders so that children who are not attending class or not attending school can retrieve course material from that folder.
- If you plan to read a novel in class, you can put a copy of the book in 1-2 crates or baskets at the front of the class so the children can get the book before it is read in class. With a chest or storage basket, books will stay safe and can be kept in the same place.
Step 4. Place bookshelves to store items that don't have storage space
Sometimes classrooms are not equipped with shelves or cabinets so you may need to bring your own wardrobe. Find a sturdy bookcase and fill it with books for your subject (or other items students may need). However, do not fill this bookcase with these items every day. With this step, items can still be used when needed, but cannot be taken carelessly by anyone.
- For example, you could store art or craft supplies in a bookshelf and ask students to collect them as needed.
- For senior classes, you can keep supplementary resources and reference books in the cupboard to encourage students to want to learn more.
Step 5. Set up student mailboxes for younger children to make sure they take their work home
Assign a number to each student that matches the number of the mailbox slots, and put all the assignments that need to be taken home into the mailboxes. Have them collect their assignments in a folder at the end of class or week, and check to see if any students have forgotten to bring their assignments or letters.
