Back to school season is officially upon us, and before you know it, it will be time to decorate your high school classroom. Unfortunately, just about every resource that you can find to help you decorate your classroom (like anything else in education), seems to only pertain to elementary teachers. As a high school teacher, should you even bother decorating your classroom? And if you want to decorate your high school classroom, how do you go about doing so without making the room look baby-ish? If you’re dying for some answers, read on.
Does Decorating Your Classroom Really Matter?
The short answer is yes. The long answer: Before my third year, I pondered this question when I looked at all the posters I still had left to hang. Does it really matter if I decorate my classroom or not? Not decorating would save me so much time and energy. At that point, I was already more than halfway through the project, so I stuck with it.
That first day of school, I knew it was all worth it. My students from the previous year came in at different times throughout the day to say hi. They told me how happy it made them just to be in my classroom and how much they missed being there. They said they liked how my room was always so bright and colorful. Since that point, I never looked back.
High school teachers seem to have a common fear about trying things that elementary teachers routinely do: it’s too baby-ish for teenagers. Even though it may feel silly, it is definitely worth it to decorate your classroom. Even teenagers love beautiful spaces.
Use Routines & Procedures Determine Your Classroom Layout
Before you buy anything for your classroom, before you begin decorating, you must plan out your classroom routines and procedures. In a recent post, I detailed my routines and procedures, and my process for organizing them.
Once you figure out your procedures, you can begin planning your classroom layout. Your classroom layout should support your procedures. For example, as part of my entry routine, my students gather their supplies on their way into the classroom. To support this procedure, I keep a bookshelf that holds their supplies close to the door. It is essential that you prioritize the functionality of your classroom over its appearance.
As you lay out your classroom, consider these questions:
- How will I arrange my desks? (Rows, groups, pairs? There are pros and cons to each. Keep your routines in mind, and which arrangement will help your students best carry out those routines.)
- What do my students need to be able to access regularly? Where is the best place to keep those items?
- Are there any changes I can make to maximize the space and/or flow of my classroom?
- Do I need my own space in the classroom? How can I achieve that?
Decorating Your High School Classroom
Now for the fun part! There is no right or wrong way to decorate your classroom. You need to consider your personal tastes, and what makes you happy, BUT remember to put the needs of your learners first. For example, if you have students that are easily distracted by wall decor, keep the wall decor to a minimum. Think about your students, and what you can do make sure your classroom is inclusive of them.
There are so many fun, creative things you can use to decorate your classroom. Some are purely for looks, but don’t forget to incorporate your content! I love making content-related posters and wall decor for my classroom, like geometry posters, math bulletin boards, and bulletin boards for geometry. The things that I want to reference all year long will stay up on my walls permanently. I often use hot glue to affix them to the cinderblock walls. Any content that I want to reference during a specific unit will be hung on my bulletin board for the duration of the unit, and then replaced when we begin the next unit. Also, I love to decorate with inspirational quotes. I have a set of quotes that I switch out weekly, and quotes that I hang up all year long.
It’s Your Classroom Too
I vividly remember that my favorite teachers growing up were the ones that shared about their personal lives. Adding personal touches to your classroom will allow students to get to know you and help build relationships. You can display favorite photos of your family and pets, photos from vacations and special experiences. Students love looking at these. I like to keep such photos and mementos behind my desk where students will not get distracted by them. There will likely be times in the year where your classroom feels like your second home, and it is okay to make part of your classroom homey.
Your Classroom Setup is a Constant Work in Progress
We tend to agonize over our classroom setup at the beginning of the year, and forget one thing. We can make changes at any time. As the year goes on, you may find a new way to arrange your classroom that works better. Do not hesitate to change it. Your students will adjust. Keep this in mind as you set up and decorate your high school classroom. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
For more insight into how I setup and decorated my high school classroom, check out my High School Classroom Tour here:
