Summer is here and if you’re anything like me, you’re already thinking about your classroom set-up for next year.
My first years of teaching were a blur, but I distinctly remember the excitement of getting the keys to my new classroom and walking in with wide-eyed wonder–desks pushed to one corner, bulletin boards empty, and an assortment of materials stacked in the cupboards. There was so much to do, but where to start? I knew how I wanted my classroom to feel and the routines that would make it run smoothly, but translating that into a physical classroom was a whole different challenge.
There was a lot of trial and error in those early years. I experimented with every desk arrangement imaginable, created new organizational systems for journals and homework papers, and even got rid of my teacher desk! I learned that the flow of the room needed to match how I structured my lessons and that what I hung on the walls of my classroom should serve to support and celebrate learning. Slowly but surely, I found a classroom design that aligned with my teaching style and helped students feel grounded and successful.
If you’re preparing for your first classroom, or you’re in your early years and still figuring out what works, here are 3 things you can do this summer to set yourself up for success. These ideas will help you build a space that truly reflects you as a teacher.
1. Design Your Classroom “Brand”
Since your classroom is a reflection of you, take some time to think about what kind of vibe you’d like to create. Are you really into nature? Bring the outdoors into the design of your room! Are the New Orleans Saints your football team? Decorate with black and gold! Your classroom aesthetic will set the tone for the year and create new ways to connect with students.
To develop your “brand,” consider the following:
- Create a name for your space like Campers Cove, The Writer’s Studio, or the Bear’s Den (to reflect the school mascot). You might also consider a name for your students such as, Campers, Storytellers, or The Pack.
- Identify colors or patterns that match your aesthetic and use them throughout the space. Think desk tags, bulletin boards, morning message slides, and newsletters. You could even use a tool like Canva or ChatGPT to design a personal logo or classroom mascot!
- Think about the tone and language you’ll use with students to reflect your brand. Will your class tone be playful, scholarly, or artistic? Start building a voice that reinforces your classroom identity in everything from daily greetings to anchor charts.
2. Think About What and How You Will Teach
Once your classroom begins to take shape, it’s time to think about what happens in the space. Your physical classroom should support your instruction, allowing for easy collaboration, smooth transitions, and well-organized materials.
To start planning:
- Take stock of supplies you’ll need for learning activities and ensure they are prepped. Determine what additional resources you’ll need to keep your space organized. More storage, comfortable seating, etc.
- Review your curriculum if you have access to it, or at the very least, familiarize yourself with your state standards.
- Sketch out your first two weeks.You’ll need to spend time up front co-creating rules/norms, modeling procedures and routines, and facilitating get-to-know-you tasks. Designate spaces in your room for procedures and bulletin boards for your class norms.
3. Visit the Neighborhood You’ll Teach In
My first years of teaching were in a neighborhood I was unfamiliar with, teaching students with a home language, history, and culture different from my own. One of the best things I did was spend time learning! Alongside other new teachers in my school, I toured the neighborhood, read about the history of the community, and visited the same restaurants and stores my students frequented.
To connect with your new community:
- Explore the neighborhood by attending an event, stopping by a local market, or taking a walk around the neighborhood. Showing up in shared spaces builds trust!
- Use the experience to spark place-based ideas for teaching. After your visits, you’ll have greater insight to design a math task using distances between local landmarks, include place names in your writing prompts, or reference nearby locations in science scenarios.
BONUS TIP
Be ready with strategies to renew your energy when you (inevitably) feel drained. The first 6 weeks of the school year are both exhilarating and exhausting. Be prepared for the roller coaster by thinking now about how you’ll renew your energy when things feel overwhelming.
- Use this wellness tracker template to make a plan for optimum nutrition, hydration, rest, and movement that will fortify you against burnout.
- Learn about key strategies to conserve your mental and physical energy throughout the day like choosing an “attention spot” and using whispering to calm students.
Preparing for your first classroom is an important event in your teaching career! By planning with intention and connecting with your community, you’re laying the foundation for a meaningful, joyful year of learning.
About the Author
Marcee Harris is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Sociology, as well as an M.A. Ed. in Education. Marcee specializes in curriculum development, maintaining and updating our course catalog, and partners with her Teaching Channel teammates to ensure customer success. Marcee is our resident expert for everything related to EdTech and the Science of Reading.
Fun Fact: Marcee used to be a professional cheerleader!
