5 Classroom Wall Essentials!

Hello again fellow educators, as mentioned before here is my second post focused on preparing your classroom environment for the 2016-2017 school year.

The classroom environment contributes to the academic and social development of each student who enters its universe. Therefore, we need to go beyond simply sticking or mounting subject charts as the means to create a motivating and stimulating environment. There are some elements which can be termed ‘Classroom Wall Essentials’ which are integral in helping to instill in our students a sense of responsibility, confidence, perseverance and cooperation.

Careful consideration and implementation of these ‘Classroom Wall Essentials’ can ultimately lead to classrooms where students are central in helping to foster a motivating and stimulating learning environment.

Classroom Wall Essential 1: The RULE CHART!

www.prekinders.com

Location: To the front of the classroom, where students can easily refer to them.

Purpose: to familiarize students to the expected behaviours toward others, while maintaining a safe environment to participate in learning (Marzano et al….2003)

Characteristics: The Rule Chart is generally introduced during the first week of school as the teacher and students become familiar with each other. In creating a Rule Chart, it is important to get an input from the students. In addition a few guidelines which can be followed are:

·        Always phrase your rules in the form of a positive statement.

·        Make sure that you do not exceed 5 major classroom rules

·        Ensure that the rules are stated clearly so that students can recall and learn them.

Classroom Wall Essential 2: The JOB CHART!

Location: A wall space which is easily accessible and viewed from anywhere in the classroom.

Purpose: to give students the opportunity to take responsibility and to ensure and maintain the smooth flow of instruction without interruption. The presence of a Job Chart provides the opportunity for students to engage in procedures and routines which engender the traits of responsibility and cooperation.

Characteristics: The role of each classroom job is clearly outlined to all students, since generally at the primary/elementary level students get the opportunity to participate in each capacity.

Some classroom jobs include:

·        Teacher helper

·        Lunch helper                    

·        Line leader

·        Paper manager (collects and distributes)

·        Library helper

·        Board eraser

·        Trash collector

Classroom Wall Essential 3: MOTIVATIONAL POSTERS!

Location: Any wall space in the classroom.

Purpose: to continually remind students that they are valued and loved, so to inspire and stimulate confidence in each child.

Characteristics: The Motivational Posters should be:

·        Eye-catching to students

·        Short phrases which can be chanted and learned

·         Promoting appreciation of self and others

·         Promoting positive attitudes to work and learning

Classroom Wall Essential 4: STUDENTS’ WORK

Location: Any available wall space at students’ eye-level

Purpose: to show students that their work is appreciated and they are significant in the learning environment.

Characteristics: In displaying students’ work in the classroom, it is important to:

·        Recognize ALL products and not just the exceptional products

·        Provide examples of the process and the product

·        Recognize the work of students by adding their names to their displays

·        Refer to displays during the instructional times

Classroom Wall Essential 5: SIGHT WORDS

Location: One or more designated wall areas which are easily viewed by students.

Purpose: to provide students with a word bank which they can easily access to improve in their reading and writing development. How students view themselves as readers and writers is integral to developing self-confidence.

Characteristics: The Sight Words are critical in students’ literacy achievement and must be:

·        High frequency words at the specific student and class level

·        Written in manuscript

·        Group alphabetically so words can be easily located

·        Grouped by subject area

·        Referred to often to ensure they are used by students in their oral and written communication

Fellow teachers as you prepare your classroom for your new students, I hope that you consider greatly the

 “5 Classroom Wall Essentials” mentioned in this post.

I would love to hear from you and see how you have implemented these classroom essentials.

Hope you are inspired!!

Get Started.....using a Classroom Theme!

 

 

Hey teachers! I know the July/ August vacation has just begun and thinking about your classroom is the last thing on your mind.

While this may be true, the reality is that preparing your classroom for the new school term is critical to providing a stimulating, enjoyable and appealing learning environment for your students.

This is the first of my posts related to helping you, my colleagues, in preparing a classroom environment ready to captivate and motivate students as they learn.

As you prepare for your next academic year, you should note that integrating a theme within your classroom environment is a creative avenue you can utilize.

 

Designing and arranging your classroom within a theme creates a cohesive and stimulating environment which captivates students visually and engages them. Classroom themes provide opportunities for students to plunge into a world of meaningful learning experiences. The themes can support curriculum goals or students’ interests.

At the beginning of the school year, your students should walk into a space which is delightful and interesting. The general layout and design of your classroom should be evident to your students from the get go. Let your students know that they too will contribute to the theme as the school year goes by.

Here are some guidelines you can follow as you implement a Classroom Theme.

1.    What are my Students’ Interest?

Knowing the interests and age of your students is very beneficial in helping you to decide on a classroom theme. Selecting a theme is not a daunting task, if you have knowledge of your new students. If you don’t, then the best theme would be one relevant to the curriculum. For example: a rainforest theme, patriotic theme, festivals or reading just to name a few.

2.    What elements are central to the theme?

You need to spend time researching and learning about the theme you have selected. Identify components central to your theme and how they can be used in the classroom. The elements should be replicas of real-life features and guide students to tangible and meaning exposures to the theme.

 

 

Elements in a Circus Theme Classroom- Ringmaster, Ring of Fire,
 Pennants

 

 

Circus Theme Classroom must have a Big Top

 

 

All aspects of the theme do not have to be presented initially, however, over the school year they can be incorporated.

Remember, in selecting your theme your goal is to provide students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the theme. At the end of the school year, they should be familiar with the words, terms and phrases related to the classroom theme.

·         For example:

 If working with a pirate theme you must include a ship, pirates, treasures, parrots etc. In addition, read books about pirates and their adventures. Extend learning by giving students opportunities to write about pirates.

If working with a space theme you must include planets, asteroids, spaceships, astronauts etc. Read books about space exploration and famous astronauts.

Space Theme Classroom with hanging planets.
Did you spot the astronaut?

 

 

Painting a lantern to make a planet.

 

 

3. What should be the focus?

Your classroom theme permeates every aspect of the classroom environment and therefore must be evident in the general and specific learning areas/boards within the classroom.

Your welcome board is the first introduction to your classroom theme and students and visitors are initially drawn into your ‘world’ by a visually appealing Welcome Greeting related to your theme.

·         If your entrance has a door, this is the best location to place your Welcome Greeting.

·         If you don’t have a door, like me, you can select a board or wall space to arrange and display your Welcome Greeting.

·         Your greeting should include a catchy phrase related to your theme along with students’ names or photos.

Infant Two Welcome Board

Grade 5/ Standard 4 Welcome Board

 

Another area where the theme should be evident in the classroom is the Library area. Draw students to this area by providing a cosy and comfortable nook. Support students’ reading and writing with books related to the theme.

Grade 4/ Standard 3- Space Theme Library Area

 

Infant Two- Circus Theme Library nook

 

Classroom areas labelled for Word Walls, Job Charts and subject areas can also incorporate the classroom theme into their design.

 

 

Infant Two Word Wall- Car Racing Theme

 

Infant Two Word Wall- Circus Theme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circus Theme- Job Chart

 

My Classroom Theme and Subject Areas

Circus Theme



Maths- We Are Nuts About MATHS!

Phonics- Popping Letters

Reading Corner

 

 

 

Hollywood Theme

 

Math Bulletin Board- Spotlight on Maths

 

Steps in Long Division- Directors Make Super Blockbusters
Divide- Multiply- Subtract- Bring Down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROLL CAMERA- Reading and Writing Bulletin Board
 

 

 

The Writing Process- Hollywood Theme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers remember to use these guidelines as you get started in planning and preparing you classroom as a fun and stimulating learning environment.

Hope you are INSPIRED!

.