Classroom Decor Ideas for the New School Year - #2 Woodlands Nature Classroom

I LOVE nature...I mean, I REALLY LOVE nature. Camping, going to the beach, walking in the woods...those things are my jam. I love it so much that I made it my master's degree. I took have my masters in science outdoor education. I want students to enjoy nature as much as I do and find respite in it as well. Nature was my inspiration for this decor. It is a woodland theme with muted natural watercolor elements thrown in as well. Let's take a look at some of the pieces inside this classroom decor set.  

Woodlands Forest Nature Decor

First up is the classroom cash. When I go with a theme, I like to go all in. It isn't just the decor, it is everything. That includes my behavior management system too. I created a set of classroom cash to use with this theme. The cash comes in different increments like real money, but with a woodlands twist. Another part of this is class coupons. I use my coupons in a classroom store. Students can use their money to purchase class coupons for privileges in the classroom. Some of those privileges include things like: take your shoes off in class, line leader for the day, trade spots for the day, show-n-tell/talent show, evens or odds on one assignment for the day, etc. Students go crazy over these coupons. I allow them to be used throughout the year with the expiration date just being the end of the year. 

These are my class book bins. Each student gets one to use to store their library books in. They may have 5 books at a time. I love keeping a neutral colored bin that goes with any theme...black has been perfect, and I have had it for about 5 years. Each year it takes just a few minutes to print out new tags with student names on them. I simply slip them into the pocket on the front of each bin and voila, they are ready to go! I also use these same tags on my classroom library bins.

 

Every early elementary classroom needs a numberline and this one is great in the muted watercolors that are used throughout the set. This line goes up through 120, instead of stopping at the traditional 100. I like my students to see how the numbers above 100 work too. 

Getting a student work display area is a cinch with these full color or blackline posters. I hang student work coming soon posters wherever I will be hanging student work after school starts. It gives each student a spot to add their own assignments in the days ahead and throughout the entire year. 

Students need reminders of keeping the right mindset. These growth mindset posters feature different animals and nature themed pictures with sayings on each one such as, "Mistakes are proof you are trying." or "If at first you don't succeed, you're normal." I love having growth mindset quotes in my class to encourage students to work through the tough challenges. 

This bulletin board display is perfect for the start of the year. Your class of students really IS embarking on an adventure together. This would be the perfect springboard for talking about their hopes and dreams for the year. 

Having math scaffolds are so important, especially as students are learning tough concepts. These multiples posters go up through the 12's and are one of the most used posters in my classroom as students learn their times tables and division facts. 

Having an affirmation station is just an added way to show students their worth. I like having one around a mirror so they can see themselves as they read the affirmations. I have bathrooms in my classrooms, so that is where I hang one. 

I keep a welcome banner on my wall all year. Students see it as they walk into the classroom each morning. It stays all year because I like students to know they are always welcome and a part of my class. 

I like to use voice levels in my classroom to help with classroom management. I can easily use this chart with a clothespin to clip onto the voice level they are suppose to be at. This also has a waiting room to help with class interruptions while teaching small groups as well. 

Up close of some of the growth mindset posters. 

Calendar and other Woodlands themed decor goodness...

You can check this woodlands classroom decor set here. 

3 Classroom Decor Ideas for the New School Year - #1 Bright Emoji Classroom

What type of teacher are you? Do you love a classic classroom look in muted colors? Do you prefer bold and bright colors? Do you want a uniform classroom look? Do you decorate at all? Whatever you do, this blog series of ideas will hopefully inspire you to add a little color to your classroom and give it a look that will excite your students. Let's look at the first option for classroom decor as you set up your classroom for the new year. 

Bright Emoji Classroom Decor

I have had so many fun designs for my classroom through the years. I like to change things up and keep things fresh. Most years I will go with a completely different theme. For several years, I wanted to do a fun emoji theme. I mean, how can I lose out? Students love emojis...it is a part of pop culture right now, so it would be perfect. However, it took me a while to figure out just how I wanted to do it. I didn't really know how to get the vibe I wanted onto the walls of my classroom. So, the idea just stayed there for a few years while I contemplated it. Finally, it all came together for me this past school year. I had a lot of fun combining black and white stripes, neon, and emojis into a place that my students were excited to learn in.

Start with these super fun name tags for your desk. You could also laminate these and give them out for students to use as bookmarks. 

My students went crazy for these classroom coupons. I also have a set of emoji classroom money as well (not pictured here). Use these to reward students for whatever you choose. Some coupons include getting a snack, being line leader, moving their desk for the day, doing show-n-tell or demonstrating a talent, picking their own partner, and many more.

We had a store once a month and students used the money they earned to purchase little prizes like stickers and shoe charms and they could also choose these coupons. 

Number lines are so helpful, especially in the early grades. This neon numberline ties in nicely to the bright emoji line by bringing out the neon colors used throughout the entire set. 

This was how I prepped my student work display before the first day of school. There was one poster for each student and later, the posters came down and their actual work went up. 

Each student in my class receives a book box. Several years back I chose to go with a neutral black color and add in name pockets that could easily be changed out from year to year, but since black goes with pretty much anything, I have been able to make these boxes unique to my theme each year. This one really popped against the black book boxes. I loved it...and so did the students!

Against my large bulletin board, I printed out some of the letters from this set to write the words: choose kind. I added growth mindset posters underneath to inspire the students throughout the year. We went through some of the sayings on the posters and I broke them down to make sure the kids understood the meaning. Then under the board I added large numbers that show the multiples. This was an invaluable chart that students referred to throughout the year to scaffold their learning of the multiplication and division facts. 

I found some super cute lanterns on amazon to hang around from the ceiling and they matched the theme perfectly! 

I even redid my teacher drawers to match my emoji theme. 

Of course you need a matching birthday chart too!

I reprinted labels for my library so they could match the emoji theme. These are the same labels I used for the student reading boxes. I just changed the words and put a number on each label. If you are interested in learning more about how to set your class library up in a way that self-maintains and is super easy, check out this blog post here about my classroom library.  

I have classroom bathrooms, so I hung up a coordinating affirmation station on the bathroom mirror. Students can read positive things about themselves as they wash their hands.

Have you ever used a voice level chart? These are game changers! I love how I can train my students to work at a certain level. In my class, we make the general level number 2, spy talk. That means the students can whisper if they need help or need to ask a quick question. They are NOT suppose to abuse the privilege by talking on and on. If the level needs to be lower or higher, I will let students know. Students can also cause the level to go lower by talking too loudly or too much. When that happens, I will drop the level down. If the level goes to number 1 (Ninja Mode) the students must work silently. I also found this little neon light. I light it up when we go to ninja mode as a visual reminder to my students that they need to stay quiet. 

One of the other things I train my students to do is to work without interrupting me when I am in a small group. Instead of interrupting, they may use the waiting space board. They will simply take the first available number and sit back down, doing what they can. When I get a chance, I will call the numbers one at a time and as they come to see me, they place their number back on the board for someone else to use.

I probably get the most use out of this piece in my classroom. I will not go without this ever again. These large numbers have smaller numbers inside showing the multiples. These have been a game-changer in math class. As students are learning and working with the times tables they have used these as a scaffold. They use them less and less throughout the year as they commit the tables to memory. 

Here is an up-close look at some of the growth mindset posters. 

This banner is not just kept on the wall at the beginning of the year. It is posted throughout the year to remind students that they are always welcome and that they belong. 

Your attitude determines your success has been the mantra of our class throughout the year. I kept this bulletin board up from day one until the end of the year. Students really do have power over their success. A good attitude and willingness to work had definitely determined how they do in class and in life. 

Do you notice the HUGE deficit of students not being able to tell time well using an analog clock? Yeah, me too! I want my students to be able to tell time well, so I remove all digital clocks inside our room and only have analog. These clock numbers are so helpful as students learn to tell time. The words showing quarter after, quarter to, etc. are also very helpful in scaffolding students to be successful while learning to master this skills. 

You can check out the Bright Neon Emoji Decor here.  This decor set comes with much more than you see here, including over 700 pages.

• Bulletin Board Letters
• Affirmation Station
• Binder Covers
• Birthday Chart
• Book Bin Labels
• Bulletin Board Set
• Calendar
• Class Reward Coupons
• Clock Labels
• Decorative Banner
• Desk Name Tags
• Growth Mindset Posters
• Waiting Space
• Student Work Posters
• Table Numbers
• Voice Level Chart
• Communication Binders
• Cursive Alphabet
• Manuscript Alphabet
• Word Wall

If you are looking for some of the other decor featured you can click links below to see the items or similar ones if the original is no longer available.

Emoji paper lanterns

Black and White Striped Paper Lanterns

Colorful Paper Lanterns

Neon Smiley Face Light-up Sign

Emoji Pillows

 

Mother's Day in the Upper Elementary Classroom

Mother's Day is this week and I have a hard time with this holiday in the upper elementary grades if I am being honest. Many of the projects and activities I have seen are perfect for lower grades, but a little too simplistic and cute for my grades. That got me thinking about what I love for Mother's Day. One big thing is words....words mean a lot.

My 3rd-5th graders are getting older and have developed skills for putting things into words. So, I decided to put together a little booklet with my class that moms can cherish for a lifetime. A book filled with kind words from the loves of their lives...their children. 

I decided that I would have the students use many of the same writing skills we have learned over the course of the year. First, they will create an acrostic poem using the word mom or some other variation, depending on what they usually call their mother. Next, they will create a portrait of their mom through their eyes, using what we have learned this year about drawing portraits. 

Students will also use their descriptive skills to create a descriptive paragraph about mom. 

Another part of this project is for each student to write a thank you letter to their mom thanking her for all the things she has done for them. Students will then create a narrative based on their favorite memory of their moms. There is an all about page that asks students to fill in the blanks to sentence stems like, favorite thing mom cooks, what I love about you, and Mom always says. The final part is an opinion piece about why their mom is the very best mom in the world. 

If this doesn't touch a mother's heart and bring happy tears to her eyes, I don't know what will. Moms are amazing and they deserve to be celebrated through thoughtful words. They don't often hear the positives. This will be such a fun surprise for every mom in my classroom. 

You can check out all the details over here if you are interested in learning more.  To save more, you can find the combo pack for Mother's Day and Father's Day for a discount here. 

 

Using Math Mysteries in the Classroom

Have you ever wanted to sprinkle more magic and fun into your math block? Have you ever thought, "I wish I could easily gamify my math class?" Have you ever wondered how you could get your students engaged during math time? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, then stay tuned, because I want to introduce you to one way that I am making this a reality in my classroom and how it could work for you too. 

Figure out Which Math Concepts your Students Struggle with Most

What would you say are some of the hardest math concepts that your students learn? I currently teach math for grades 3-5 and some of the hardest are these:

In third grade: rounding and fractions

In fourth grade: long division and fractions

in 5th grade: decimals and fractions

Turn Difficult Math Concepts into Engaging Activities

Once you have identified some concepts that trip your students up and are difficult for them to learn, you have some targeted standards to create engaging activities around. If you have been teaching for longer than a year or two, I am sure you could already identify these difficult concepts. They usually are the same from year-to-year.

Now you need to look at the standards and skills the students cover under these concepts. You want to use as many of these as you can in planning your engaging activities. Usually I like to find about four main concepts that I can use for each activity. I like to do it this way because I love using the engaging activities at the end of a unit, as not only a review, but also as something for students to look forward to. They are more willing to put in the hard work and learn what they need to if they know they will be able to apply their skills in a fun and engaging way at the end of the unit. Of course, it is also possible to sprinkle some fun in throughout the unit, but for now, I want to focus on the culminating activity. 

Examples of Concepts to Include in a Math Activity

For these examples, I am going to use the concepts from our fraction units. 

In third grade, I chose these skills:

• Equal or Unequal
• Unit Fractions
• Fraction Models
• Fraction Lines

In fourth grade, these are the skills I chose: 

• Comparing Fractions
• Finding Equivalent Fractions with Dividing
• Equivalent Fraction Models
• Finding Equivalent Fractions with Multiplying

In fifth grade, I zeroed in on these skills:

• Simplest Form
• Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators
• Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators
• Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers with and without regrouping 

Choose a Theme for your Math Activity

Keep in mind that you are doing this for the students. Think about what they would enjoy or what would benefit them. Sure, you can bring your passions to the table. That is one way to connect what you love to their curriculum. I have done this many times, but don't forget to consider their hobbies, passions and interests as well. 

Some examples of passions of some of my students past and present are: 

• Space
• Soccer
• Football
• Sharks
• Superheroes
• Video Games
• Certain Movies
• Certain Games
• Certain Books

Choose your Math Activity Type

When gamifying your classroom consider some of the following ideas:

• Escape Rooms
• Break Outs
• Mystery Activities
• Interactive Centers
• Games (Board or Card)

Putting my Math Activity Together

For this activity, I knew I wanted to try a mystery theme. I also knew that I wanted to do something with superheroes. I had names like "The Fractionator" Swirling around in my head. Superhero fraction names were coming at me left and right. So that's what I decided to go with. I also have a little boy in my third grade class who is absolutely in love with superheroes. That was an added bonus.

Once I had my ideas, I had to come up with a premise for my activity. Since superheroes save cities, I decided to twist this around and make all of the superheroes undercover bad guys and only one was a good guy. The trick was for each student to figure out which one was the good superhero and they had to find out quickly because time was running out to save the the city. 

With a set up like that, students were engaged immediately and ready to help save the city by solving math mystery puzzles using their newly acquired math skills.  

Math Content Activities

Students engaged in four different challenges to reveal a mystery clue. Each clue told them one of the superheroes that was an imposter. Their job was to solve each clue and reveal the real superhero, saving the city from certain disaster! As students completed a challenge, I checked their secret code and if they were right, they received the next challenge to solve. 

When all four challenges were solved, students earned a prize. More about that later. 

Setting the Stage to Engage

One thing I love doing is transforming my classroom and this was an easy one. I did not spend a ton of money to do this. I was able to print out a banner that said "Mathopolis" which was our fictional city that was under attack. I purchased a banner from Amazon to hang on my board. I covered a few boxes with colored bulletin board paper and added some squares to make them look like windows on buildings. I used the boxes to create a skyline for the city of Mathopolis. These were free to make using things we already had at the school. I had some masks that I had purchased a couple of years ago that I placed on balloons. I taped one to each desk to look like a colorful superhero. I attached a paper cape to the back of each balloon. Each desk had another mask that each student could use to get into character during our math activity. We had superhero music playing in the background. When students completed that challenge and solved the mystery, they received a Tootsie Roll Pop that had been turned into a simple superhero with colorful paper. 

That's it. That was the whole set up. You could do it all, or part of it, or not use any props at all, keeping it very basic. Here are some affiliate links to things I used in this transformation. I love finding pieces that I can reuse from year to year or use form other transformations as well. You can click the pictures to be taken to my Amazon storefront.

The masks I purchased are no longer available, but these are similar to mine.

 

Easy Classroom Transformations: Bringing the Angry Birds Back

I love a good classroom transformation. But let's get real, at the end of the year, I need to take the easy route. I still want to do transformations, but if I am being honest, I need them to be quick and easy. 

One of my favorite subjects to pair with a transformation is math. Math seems to be the subject kids tend to shy away from the most. Maybe it's just me, but I hear so many complaints about math. Last year I had a kid who literally asked me if we had to do math...every. single. day. I really wanted to make math more fun by spicing it up in several different ways....one of those ways is through the use of transformations.

One of my go-to transformations for the last quarter of the school year is Angry Birds. I mean, the kids love 'em and I can capitalize on that engagement factor to get some math done. The curriculum this time of the year takes us through chapters on area, perimeter, or even volume. I teach third, fourth, and fifth grades, so I have a lot to cover. Angry Birds are the absolute perfect way to celebrate their learning in a quick and easy way. Here's how I put it all together in very little time. 

What you need:

Boxes of various sizes, including some large and some tiny ones. 

Natural colored wrapping paper (this has the texture of a paper bag)

Tape, Sharpie, and colored paper

Angry Bird Printed pictures, or you can draw your own (which is what I did)

A slingshot

Ping-pong balls or colorful pompoms ( I prefer pompoms)

How to set it up:

1. I quickly wrap several boxes in the wrapping paper. This can be as many as you want or as few, but I would say build an area of stacked boxes at least 6-10 feet wide. 

2. Use the sharpie to draw fake wood lines to make the boxes look like wooden crates.

3. Cut pieces of colorful paper, writing point values on them. Tape or glue one to each box.

4. Draw or print and cut some characters from Angry Birds. I suggest doing this on posterboard or at least cardstock. 

5. Set up a wall of boxes in your classroom. Place the Angry Birds around and on the boxes. 

6. YOU ARE READY FOR FUN!!

The curriculum:

I made up a foldable for a recording sheet. Students use this to record the answer for each question as well as the points they earn during each round. 

3rd/4th Grade: 

For third grade, I used colorful posterboard to create different shapes to use for area and perimeter. Some shapes were divided into grids and students were to count the spaces to figure out the area or perimeter. Some shapes had side measurements and students had to figure out the area or perimeter from there. Some shapes had only one side measurement with the area or perimeter given and they were to solve for the missing side. I also included shapes with a varying number of sides for an added challenge.

5th Grade: 

In fifth grade, we were studying volume. I made up cards with pictures of boxes. Some had the length, width, and height. Students had to figure out the volume. Some pictures left off one of the side measurements, but students were given the volume and they had to figure out the missing side. 

These were all part of the standards that we covered in the unit we were studying. We did this at the end of the unit as a reinforcement and review. 

The Game:

Students first had to solve one problem. After showing their answer to me, if they were correct, they got a chance to shoot a ball or pompom, with a slingshot, at the stack of boxes. They could only shoot one time for each question. If they hit a box, they used their recording sheet to write down the amount of points they scored. 

Students who did not get the answer correct needed to go back and figure out what they did wrong and fix it before they could use the slingshot. Students went back and forth between solving a problem and shooting the slingshot. 

The Take-a-Ways

Because students had something to look forward to (shooting the balls at the boxes) they were highly engaged and eager to work hard to find correct answers. 

Easy transformations still work for engagement.

You do not have to spend a lot of time or money to create something magical. 

Connect student learning to student passions.

We did a video game transformation, so I paired Mario with Angry Birds....and check out this cute tray. It's a video game controller! How fun is that? 

Always be on the lookout for pieces you can use and reuse in your class. I bought these trays several years ago at the end of season clearance. I definitely would not have splurged on them for full price, but they were so fun and perfect for my gaming transformation!

Take this as a reminder, you do not have to kill yourself off doing all the things and trying to keep up with the instagram teachers. A little sprinkle of fun can be just as exciting for your kids.

April Fool's Day Fun in the Classroom

How do you celebrate April Fool's Day in your classroom? Do you celebrate it at all? I love getting in on the fun and playing little tricks on my class. I also like to squeeze in some learning while examining the history behind this holiday. 

April Fool's Day Fun

A few years back, I was at a school where the students took April Fool's Day to the extreme. Everywhere you went on campus, you had to watch out! As soon as you opened a door, a student might put a cup of water on top of it, waiting for it to fall and dump down on you. They even went so far as to sneak out to the parking lot and toilet paper the cars of their teachers! Luckily, I taught the little guys and was not on the receiving end of this one!

The teachers got in on it too. From the principal showing up with a tattoo sleeve, to the famous "brown E's" prank, and don't forget the April Fool's Day quizzes and word searches, the whole day was lighthearted and lots of fun.    

April Fool's Day Learning Activities

I want my students to have fun, and we do, but also why not bring some April Fool's Day learning fun into the classroom as well. It hit me that many kids love these little traditions, but how much do they really know about the holiday and how it all got started? That's when I decided to create a resource for them that did just that! My students were excited to learn about the holiday and the traditions behind it with lots of reading and writing activities!

Fun Reading and Writing Activities for April Fool's Day

The topics I used with my students included a section on the history of April Fool's Day. How , when, and where did this silly holiday get started? Next, we looked at what the holiday is like in different parts of the world. We also learned about some famous tricks that have been played. I included matching and comprehension questions to hold students accountable for their learning. 

As a response to the reading passages, students chose one prank and wrote about the steps

they would take to perform it. They also wrote about a prank they played on someone. 

In all, it was a fun way to learn, celebrate, and enjoy the holiday. 

Check out this blog post for more prank ideas for April Fool's Day.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this resource, you can find it over here. 

Books for the New Year - January Titles for Building Reading Comprehension

Books for the New Year

I am always on the lookout for new books to use for different seasons in my classroom. I recently ran across the book Because by Mo Willems. It is absolutely perfect and stunning for the new year. I am going to use it for goal setting and will also tie in some reading comprehension strategies and reading skills. 

I decided to try to find a book to partner with the book to Because. The book by John Lithgow called, Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo, was the perfect book to use. It has a similar topic and is lots of fun. 

New Year's Book Descriptions

The book, Because, is a beautifully illustrated book that features the story of an orchestra. It traces inspiration from one piece of music to the final moment when an orchestra is formed. It shows how just one person can have a huge effect over the lives of others. It is written in a simple pattern, but don't let that fool you! This book is packed with possibilities for older students like my upper elementary kids. 

The book, Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo, is a fun book that features an orchestra as well...only in this book some rogue animals take over the orchestra, reeking havoc in the process. 

 New Year's Partner Books

What I love about using these two books together is their easy link based on not only the orchestra, but how easily the books show a cause/effect relationship. They are perfect for linking together to compare and contrast. 

Lesson Planning for New Year's Books

I was looking through these two books with reading lessons in mind. I knew I wanted to connect the books not only to New Year's celebrations, but also to my curriculum. I looked for skills that could be incorporated. Here are some good ones.

First, of course, we will have a discussion about the points of the book using  basic questions as well as questions that dig a bit deeper and require making connections.

Next, using the book Because, we will work on cause and effect relationships. This book is perfect for that. Each page has a cause/effect sentence on it. We will branch away from those, writing some of our own. In the end, we can link back to the book, Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo for one last cause/effect.

For deeper learning, students will think about the effect (goal) they want to have for the rest of the school year. They will list out some causes....what will cause them to reach that goal. They will draw a picture of themselves completing that goal. If you visualize it and have a step-by-step plan, you can achieve it, right?

The book, Never Play music Right Next to the Zoo, is also a great way to review basic nouns and verbs. We will do a quick verb sort with this one. 

Another great skill to work on with these two books is comparing and contrasting. Using partner books allows you to have enough similarities, but there will be many differences as well. A Venn diagram is the perfect way to organize a comparison between these two books. 

Using fun picture books is one of my favorite ways to teach new skills and these two new (to me) books will be the perfect addition!