Last minute classroom decor ideas

It is not too late to make your classroom a space students want to come to everyday. You being a welcoming person and amazing teacher is step one and most important, but the classroom’s environment comes in a close second.

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Tip #1: The Thrift Store is your Friend

Stop by your local thrift store this weekend for some awesome finds your for classroom. Other great options are apps like NextDoor and OfferUp. Just make sure your purchase is clean and bug free!

Tip #2: Everyone Loves a Theme when it comes to classroom decor

The ninth grade English team at my school does a Harry Potter style theme throughout the year complete with dividing the kids into groups: hufflepuff gryffindor, etc for competitions. Small touches like the owl on the filing cabinet really make the theme come alive in their classroom space.

If you’re looking to deck out your classroom in a Harry Potter theme you can do it on a teacher’s budget pretty easily on Amazon. The flag hanging in the upper right of the picture is lesson than $20 and can be purchased here. For less than $30 you can get Harry Potter Complete Hogwarts House Wall Banners, Ultra Premium Double Layered Indoor Outdoor Party Flag – Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw – 30"X 50" (4PACK)” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw flags.

Another popular theme is the beach!

This classroom combines the beach theme with some great thrift store finds. Have you tried Rust-Oleum Series Rustoleum 302594 12OZ Blush Pink Chalked Paint Spray,” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>chalk paint yet?! If you haven’t, it’s amazing. You can buy Rust-Oleum Series Rustoleum 302594 12OZ Blush Pink Chalked Paint Spray,” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>chalk paint spray paint and paint old desks like the one pictured above in bright welcoming colors!

Tip #3 Use the resources in your building to amp up your classroom decor

I cover my tables in white bulletin board paper and then have other teachers write welcoming notes on it for students to see when they sit down on the first day.

You can also check and see if your school has a poster printer. It is a new addition to my building and I love it! You can’t go too crazy because the ink is expensive, but I printed a six pack of posters to create a poster wall that supports a book that all 12th graders will be reading at my school this year: The Promise of a Pencil.

Tip #4: It’s okay if your classroom decor isn’t where you want it to be on day 1.

You can and will update your classroom all year long. Just because it doesn’t look exactly how you want it to on the first day of school doesn’t mean you can’t make small changes throughout the year to make it exactly what you want.

Here are some more posts you might find useful:

If you haven’t already checked it out make sure to these posts which will likely be helpful to you:

7 Morning routine MUSTS for new teachers

Last minute activities to fill those awkward moments

Keeping track of parent contact

5 Snacks teachers love

It’s ok to get teacheritis

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