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10 Amazing Classroom Decor Ideas for an Appealing Classroom Space

Classroom decor can either help your students or distract them. It's important to make sure that what you use matches your students' needs. In this post, I share favorite pins for classroom decor.

Pinterest is certainly buzzing with pins galore, and we teachers are spending our free time scanning those pins for the perfect classroom decor for back to school prep. We’re searching for those unit ideas that will be a slam dunk for our kids, and organizational tips to make our lives easier.

Today, you are in for a treat. I am linking up with Ashley at Just Reed for her Ten Pin Back to School Link Up. Ashley shared ten great pins for back to school, and I hope these ideas will help you as you’re thinking about classroom decor or classroom theme ideas.

Classroom decor ideas for Guided Reading

First of all, let’s focus classroom decor ideas to help guided reading organization. One thing that I find very distracting is unnecessary movement in the classroom. It seems my students are memory challenged when it comes to being prepared with their materials. By putting a cart beside the reading table, all materials are right there!  You can also use labeled storage carts around the room for students too. Each group can have their materials all together in one place. Check out THIS POST from Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits for other great guided reading tips.

smart cart resources and labels from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

Creating personal space with classroom decor

personal mats for flexible seating

Another idea for organization comes from Mr. Greg at Kindergarten Smorgasboard would have been very helpful to me last year.  I had a very small room last year, and during small group instruction, those students not meeting with me used some of the time for reading to self.  By using this bath mat idea, they could take the rug with them to find their own quiet corner for reading. Stores like Ollies and Big Lots offer cheap bathmats.

Using classroom decor for reading motivation

Next, I’ll share a decorating idea I love is  this tree.  As a reading specialist, so encouraging reading is crucial to my students’ success.  This reading tree can be incorporated into many themed classrooms.  I am going with a Wild about Reading theme. This reading tree will go in my reading nook for my students to recommend books to each other.  I am hoping  it will create book discussions  between the children.

Reading Tree

Noise level control classroom decor sign

voice o meter

In addition to the previous idea, this pin will help my students manage their volume.  When I’m working with students one-on-one or in a small group, there is a group of students working on their own. It’s so easy for the volume to creep up.  This Voice-O-Meter is a gentle reminder to respect your classmates who are working with the teacher. From Create Art with Me

guided reading support

Divided space for small group teaching

Because guided reading is a big part of my day,I love this idea from Adrienne at Adrienne Teaches for supporting kids in a small group. Dividing your table into sections helps students know their space and allows you to use that space as one big dry erase board. You can do word building, responding to reading, and even quick checks with questioning. All you need is a dry erase marker.

classroom decor for handling questions

Since kids ALWAYS have questions, but we ALWAYS have limited time, this pin might help. The time to answer questions and listen to stories can sometimes intrude into that valuable instructional time. ย For questions and comments that can wait, this parking lot idea would be extremely helpful. You can add magnets to the back to hang it on your chalkboard. Thanksย Math Coach’s Corner

parking lot for questions

quick status of the class

Fist to Five Check

Because checking for understanding is an important part of each lessons, I love this Fist to Five Check poster.  Often, we’re teaching away and thinking that our students are onboard. Then, you check the quizzes and learn they did not get it.  With this strategy might. you can take the guesswork out. Author Unknown

Favorite project ideas for back to school

Because I am in charge of  parental involvement activities, I want to share my all-time favorite pin idea.  Like a science fair, this book fair utilizes the tri-fold displays in a different way, to celebrate literature and reading. Read. Write. Mom! shares many more of these wonderful displays.

Celebrate Reading and Writing Night

Our school has Celebrate Reading and Writing Night. It would be fun to have  students share their writing in an assembly, and culminate the night with a tour the school to see the displays.

trifold displays for reading nights

flexible seating ideas for back to school

flexible seating for reading nooks

Whether these neat chairs end up in your classroom or in your child’s bedroom, the idea is precious!  What a great way to reuse old tires in a really cozy way.  This is a DIY that won’t happen this year, but I still love them! Thanks, Itsy Bits and Pieces!

back to school open house welcome wall

Finally, I’ll share this  pin you can use to celebrate the sweet children that will be entering our classrooms soon.  I think this wall display is perfect for open house night and a great way to begin the school year.  It’d be fun to repeat it at the end of the year for comparison on how your students grow during the time you’re together.

open house welcome wall

Looking for More?

My tens pins are complete.  I hope you’ll have a great time planning out your year, and perhaps a few ideas shared here will help make your classroom run smoothly. This link up was sponsored by: Just Reed Blog

Have a wonderful year!

other links you’d enjoy:

Back to School is a hectic time, and I hope these ideas help you out. If there is something special that you’re needing help with, be sure to mention it. Otherwise, best wishes for a fun year.

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7 Responses

  1. So many great ideas on Pinterest. For me, it's a real time burner! So glad you liked these too.
    Carla

  2. I can't wait to try it. Definitely check out her website to see all of the other amazing displays. Whether the parents helped or not really doesn't matter to me as that increases involvement. Plus, the kids learn how to put a professional looking product together…so helpful in the adult world.

  3. Thanks for linking up for Wishlist Wednesday! These sound like some great ideas for your room!

  4. Anytime…I missed it on Wednesday though. ๐Ÿ™‚ I just happened to catch in my blog feed from bloglovin and decided to combine.
    Have a great week!

  5. I LOVE your chart for understanding! Also, I had seen the Parking Lot before, but yours has a neat approachable appearance. Is there any place to download the words? I am not the neatest when it comes to that.
    Thank you for sharing!

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Hello and Welcome to the Comprehension Connection Blog!

I’m Carla, the author of Comprehension Connection. I’m a recently retired Literacy Coach and TPT author. I’m a Wife to a great guy, Mom to two grown children and two fur babies. I’m a Virginia Blogger, a Travel Lover, a Coffee Drinker, and a Gal who loves All Things Techie.

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