Find a cute and easy theme for your elementary, special education, or middle school classroom.
Are you looking for a calm classroom theme? I have five beautiful and unique classroom decor bundles that will help create a peaceful, engaging, and beautiful home away from home in your classroom! These five bundles will be a perfect way to create a calm classroom vibe!
Inspiration, tips, and sources for creating a nature themed classroom for your middle school or high school students!
Create a tranquil feel for you and your students with these calm classroom decor themes! Use nature inspired decor for a peaceful vibe.
Find everything you need for creating a superhero classroom including DIY projects & more. Superhero Classroom Decor Ideas for Transformation
Find a cute and easy theme for your elementary, special education, or middle school classroom.
Looking for a boho rainbow classroom theme? Find everything you need in this 1,600+ page boho rainbow classroom decor pack. You won't beli...
If you have been following along this summer, then you know just how much I love having a classroom theme! In THIS post, I told you my top three reasons for having a theme and in THIS post, I shared four ways to save money while decorating with a theme. Now, as promised, I want
There’s just something so magical about looking at learning as an adventure, and that’s the exact notion I wanted to highlight in this travel-themed classroom. I worked with the classroom decor that this room already had, so I was able to put together a high school adventure-themed classroom in just one day! When I saw ... Read More about Adventure Themed Classroom: An Eclectic Travel Classroom with Boho Vibes
Make learning an adventure.
And the award for best classroom goes to…
Show them the world from your classroom.
Into the woods ... in the classroom!
This moon craft is great for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, or older kids. It's a great art extension during a space theme in the classroom.
Have you ever walked into a classroom that was so visually overwhelming it made your head spin? From bright colors to busy patterns, classroom decorations can either enhance or hinder student learning. But did you know that a calming environment can actually have a positive impact on academic performance? Studies have shown that the right classroom decorations can reduce stress, improve focus, and even encourage creativity. SPOILER: I've included a link to a set of FREE calming classroom posters at the end of this post! Let's delve into the science behind calming classroom decorations, see how to create a calming environment, and explore the benefits of incorporating natural elements into your classroom décor. Research has shown that a calming classroom environment can have a positive impact on student academic performance. But what exactly is the science behind it? According to a study by the University of Salford, the physical characteristics of a classroom can impact student learning by up to 25%. This includes factors such as lighting, temperature, and yes, even decorations. A calm and organized classroom can help reduce stress levels and improve concentration, making it easier for students to retain information. By incorporating natural elements and soothing colors, teachers can create a calming atmosphere that reduces stress and improves academic performance. Calming decor in a classroom isn't just about adding a few plants or muted colors. It's about creating an overall environment that fosters a sense of safety, comfort, and tranquility for students. To achieve this, teachers can take a few simple steps such as decluttering the classroom, utilizing natural light, and rearranging furniture to create a more spacious and open feel. Simple changes like these can go a long way in promoting relaxation and focus in students. By creating a calming environment, teachers can set their students up for success. A calming classroom environment can be achieved through various design strategies. Among these, color psychology plays a critical role in creating a soothing and relaxing space for students. Soft pastel shades of pink and purple are also known to create a calming effect and promote feelings of comfort and security. Certain colors such as blue and green have been found to evoke feelings of calmness, tranquility, and focus, making them ideal for classroom decorations. On the other hand, bright and bold colors such as red and orange can have the opposite effect and induce feelings of stress, anxiety, and restlessness. While these colors may be appropriate in some contexts, they are best avoided in a classroom environment where relaxation and focus are essential for learning. By understanding the principles of color psychology, teachers can choose the right decorations and color schemes for their classroom to create a calming and conducive learning environment. To create a calming classroom environment, choosing the right decorations is crucial. As discussed earlier, soft and muted colors are ideal for promoting relaxation and concentration, while bright and bold colors should be avoided. When selecting decorations, it is important to keep the overall color scheme in mind and ensure that it complements the calming atmosphere. Nature-inspired decorations can be an excellent choice for a calming classroom. Elements such as plants, natural textures, and landscapes can create a soothing environment and promote feelings of well-being. Additionally, incorporating elements of nature into your classroom can inspire curiosity and promote learning about the world around us. Here are some calming classroom design mood boards to get you inspired... Rainbow_Rug /// Modern Curved Chairs /// Inspirational Poster /// Garland /// Binder Clips and Supplies /// Colorful Pens /// Ladder /// Wire Baskets /// Wall Clock /// White Lamp Plant Prints /// Forest_Tapestry /// Leaf Pillow /// Round Cushions /// Geometric Rug /// Geometric Lamp /// Baskets /// Tree Magnetic Photo Display /// Large Desk Calendar Hanging Clouds /// Cloud Banner /// Rug /// White Chair /// Feather Lamp /// Cloud Basket /// Artificial Succulents /// Blue clock Garland /// Posters /// Sunshine Wall Decal /// Reading Nook Teepee Tent /// Artificial Plants /// Seagrass Rug /// Chair Pillow /// Gold Metal Lamp /// Hanging Chair Natural Stripe Rug /// Bookshelf /// Basket Wall Decals /// Natural Chairs /// Plant /// Free Posters /// Lamp /// Bark Pencils /// Felt Bunting Mountain Rug /// Round Ottoman /// Mountain Garland /// Motivational Posters /// Desk Lamp /// Storage Baskets /// Letter Tray By carefully selecting the right decorations and color schemes, teachers can create a calming and conducive learning environment for their students. Plants, natural textures, and landscape-inspired decor can help create a relaxing atmosphere that promotes concentration and well-being. Adding plants to your classroom not only enhances its aesthetic appeal, but it also helps purify the air and promotes a healthy environment. You can choose plants that are easy to care for, such as spider plants, peace lilies, or succulents. Hanging or mounting them on walls or placing them on desks or shelves can create a sense of natural beauty and relaxation. Textures such as wood, woven materials, or natural fibers can provide a tactile feel that adds warmth and depth to your classroom. Using earthy and calming tones such as blues, greens, and browns can contribute to a soothing atmosphere, while pops of brighter colors can add interest and stimulate creativity. Landscape-inspired decorations can also promote a love for the environment and inspire curiosity about the world around us. Maps, photographs, or posters of nature scenes can immerse students in a world beyond the classroom, encouraging them to learn more about different cultures and ecosystems. An easy way to add calm décor to your classroom is to start with your own teacher desk. By thoughtfully selecting natural supplies for your desk, you can set the tone for a calming work environment. Here are some examples... Plant /// Botanical Mousepad /// Pencil Holder Organizer /// Highlighters /// Lesson Planner /// Desk Calendar /// Desktop Organizer /// Desk Lamp /// Free Teacher Positive Affirmation Cards /// Stapler ----------------------------------------------- In short, the science of calming classroom decorations shows that a well-thought-out and organized classroom environment can have a significant impact on student learning. By incorporating natural elements and soothing colors, teachers can create a calming atmosphere that reduces stress and improves academic performance. So...what do you think? Are you feeling inspired to create a calm learning environment? I sure hope so! To get you started, I created this FREE set of Calming Classroom Posters. Just add your information below and then check your email inbox! Thanks so much for stopping by! Mary Beth P.S. I've put together more classroom mood boards here. * This post contains affiliate links.
These are the top 10 3rd grade room transformations just for you. They are easy to implement, rigorous, and fun for third graders!
You want your classroom to be a colorful, cozy, and inviting learning space. You’d love to have a cohesive theme or at least a color scheme, so everything looks put together. But are themes childish? Aren’t middle schoolers too old for classroom decor?
Need help finding the best Boho Farmhouse Classroom Decor? You'll love this entire list that comes from Amazon!
Learn About the 7 Continents! Exploring the 7 Continents has never been more exciting! It’s a Small World Continent Study is filled with over 35 activities to help your students gain a greater understanding of the seven continents. This 130+ page unit is filled with great resources, posters, printables, activities, and projects that will open […]
You want your classroom to be a colorful, cozy, and inviting learning space. You’d love to have a cohesive theme or at least a color scheme, so everything looks put together. But are themes childish? Aren’t middle schoolers too old for classroom decor?
Free Printable I Spy Back to School Activity. Classroom themed activity or game idea for the first day of school for students.
Looking to turn your classroom into a farmhouse masterpiece? Checkout the 8 farmhouse essentials that every farmhouse classroom needs!
Explore easy classroom management strategies and ideas from other teachers to keep the classroom running smoothly and meet the 3 C's.
Pumpkin Name Craft Activity, Fall Preschool Activity, Fine Motor Skills, Pumpkin Number Order Activity, Preschool Classroom Name Activity
Free Printable I Spy Back to School Activity. Classroom themed activity or game idea for the first day of school for students.
Discover new classroom ideas for classroom management, decor, organization, storage, desk layouts, fun ideas and more!
Discover the perfect All About Me preschool activity designed for young kids! Get a free printable worksheet that's simple, engaging, and ideal for emergent readers. Download now!
Looking for a quick and easy review game? Try Pass the Chicken! Great for any classroom, this blog post shows you how to play the game and gives you a free list of music themed categories to use. FUN for music class or any classroom.
Amazing classroom decoration ideas including how to add a class fireplace, a beautiful teacher space, a classroom fridge and more!
Looking for fun Preschool Zoo Theme Activities for kids? Check out these 16 Hands-On Preschool Zoo inspired Learning Activities and Crafts for Preschool or Kindergarten.
this post contains affiliate links For many years, my classroom just didn't look or feel right. While I knew that the actions inside a classroom mattered more than what was on the walls, I also wanted it to look... well, at least clean and organized. Thus began a very gradual, years-long process of taking my room from a color-clashing mess to a comparatively calmer, semi farmhouse look. Some of the materials I bought, and some were reimbursed or bought by the school, but it did not happen overnight and was, again, a process of finding out what did and didn't work for seventh and eighth graders. Why this look? The colors and choices you see in my room were an attempt to balance several factors: Administrative Limitations: I wasn't allowed to go full-on flexible seating, and I also had only 5 authorized wall colors to choose from for ONE accent wall. Non-negotiable colors: I didn't have permission to paint, cover, or replace anything I wanted. In addition to non-negotiable carpeting, I had dark green cabinets to work around. Maximizing space: I teach middle school in a room that is NOT big enough, and I was desperate to maximize space for student desks, the classroom library, myself, and at least SOME alternative seating. The fact that I watched way too much Fixer Upper while on maternity leave (ha!) Things I Learned Before I dig into the photos and specifics, here are some of the biggest things I learned during the process, regardless of your theme: Have a color scheme and stick to it. The fewer colors, the better, unless you are actually embracing a rainbow or neon theme. Work with, not against, your classroom. As stated above, working with my non-negotiable cabinets made a world of difference for a cohesive look. Containers that match are worth your money. By "containers" I mean shelving, bins, folders, wall hanging files, or any storage. Buying a zillion of the same black milk crate REALLY helped not just my OCD but the overall appearance of cleanliness (ha) in my room. You might also like my older blog post, 7 Tips for Decorating an English Classroom Classroom Tour! Here are some of my favorite things, with links. (Some of the products shared are affiliate links, but many are not. All opinions are my own.) To see a complete list of products I recommend, check out my Amazon store. Also, follow my classroom decor journey on Instagram. I edged my whiteboard in black painter's tape for more contrast against the white walls I couldn't paint, and also used even thinner painter's tape to make the lines on the board itself. I used self-laminating sheets and magnets on the days of the week. I bought garlands from Hobby Lobby three years ago and use magnetic hooks like these to attach them to the board. These lights never recharged properly (see next photo below for my alternative), but I used painter's tape to create the "pole", along with a black hanging file, which I labeled with my Cricut machine and iron-on vinyl. These battery-powered lanterns with built-in timers have worked out MUCH better. I used the velcro-like picture hanging Command strips as well as these hooks to attach them to my wall. Pro tip: If Command strips don't stick to your wall properly, use some sandpaper to gently rough up the spot a LITTLE, which does the trick for me. Floor cushions made from recycled material were from Target; the LED adhesive lighting under my whiteboard ledge can be found here and add great opportunities to turn off the overhead lights! The ledge trays were custom made by my husband, but here's the letter kit. Hubby also made a magnetic faux barn door for me. The photo stickers were made with my Sprocket printer. The Closetmaid storage bench came from Walmart (or Amazon), the bookshelves are from IKEA, and the stools are also from Walmart. (The standing desks were from the school.) Cart from Michael's (labels made with a Cricut with free font Harry P) Trays from Office Depot; I made labels in PowerPoint and covered them with packing tape. Poster free from the NaNoWriMo Young Writer's Program; white magnetic shelf from Amazon. Black crates from Lowe's - I used them ALL OVER my room. I made labels with self-laminating sheets, a hole punch, and binder rings. The vintage typewriter is a huge hit with the big kids, and not just my toddler! Container from the Target Dollar Spot, labeled by my Cricut I used dollar store frames to create a "dry erase" scoreboard; the library pockets were attached to cabinets with double sided tape. For more information about the scoreboard and how I teach grammar, visit my blog post about The Grammar House Cup. I made the Homeroom banner myself; Fadeless bulletin board paper has been good for two years now! I once read to put mirrors across from windows to bounce more light around the room. I don't know if that's true, but I did get a cheap long mirror from Walmart to put alongside a cabinet. This also cut down on student trips to the bathroom to look in a mirror! Energizer brand tap lights are a little bigger and leave more room for writing! I just did Sharpie at the time, but I know many people use Cricut machines for this. This message board has been a huge hit over time! Floor cushions (or patio cushions) from Target make a nice, cheap flexible seating option! This pencil dispenser was a big hit with students. The only downside is that mine often releases two pencils instead of just one. I used black dry erase Wall Pops to add some definition to this school-bought round table (and remind kids that 4 people should fit). The acacia SKOGSTA stools from IKEA are my all-time favorite and have been very durable the past two years (and are worth the $25 price tag, if you ask me). My mother sewed a custom table skirt for me, which we attached with adhesive Velcro. These OXO brand pop-lid containers are perfect for allergy-friendly candy. (One of these days, I will remember to make cute labels for them!) Thank you for visiting! Honorable Mentions Here are a few more of my "favorite things" in my classroom! Avery brand square labels (for my classroom library AND for Bitmoji stickers!) My favorite fidget of all time (quiet and not messy!) Jeopardy daily calendar GE Outlet Wall Plug Adapter Bingo daubers that I use to stamp papers (see this blog post!) Do you have additional ideas, questions, or comments? Share them below!
If I Were a Superhero Identify a few well-known superheroes with your students and brainstorm adjectives that describe these superheroes and their actions. After reviewing the list, ask students to identify people in their real lives that possess these characteristics. Ask students to complete this thinksheet and describe what kind…
Haven't tried a book tasting with your students yet? This fun reading activity is an awesome way to introduce genres in your elementary classroom or library!
This last week we began our geography unit in second grade. We began by learning the mapping essential vocabulary of map, globe, key, scale, grid, birds eye view. We practiced making our own maps and creating symbols for our map keys. The students love making their own maps of our neighborhood where the school is...
Do you teach a Community Helpers Preschool or Kindergarten Unit? You will LOVE this fun set of pretend play learning centers and no prep worksheets.
Get our Apples Pre-Writing Tracing Printables for more fun, engaging and exciting tracing activity! Trace the lines in the apples and
Come check out these classroom lighting ideas to reduce headaches and even spark creativity in learning. The lighting in your room should match the task!
If you're looking for free printable worksheets for preschool & kindergarten, then look no further. Here are links to all of the printable worksheets that I've created for preschoolers and kindergartners. You'll find cutting and tracing, color by code, and of course everything in between.
