What are some good themes I can use to decorate my classroom?

Question

I am a 4th and 5th grade math teacher and I want to use a theme to decorate my classroom, everything from the door to the desk name tags to the bulletin boards. However I am drawing a blank on a theme. I don't want it to be just math. I want something fun and interesting so that when the students enter they feel like they are almost leaving the school and becoming immersed in another world. Any ideas would be great. Thanks.

I like the ideas so far. I just wanted to add that I teach at a very small, low socio-econimic school, that has a large Amish population- in case that might influence your ideas. (I was also hoping to have the room ready for when they arrived the first day.)

Answer 1

Okay, just hear me out. I think the theme should be...food! I know it sounds psycho, but so much of math can be related to food. I remember that my fifth grade teacher had a sort of food theme throughout her room. She had pictures of pies that were split to show fractions, and she had the room decorated with pieces of poster board that were shaped like food (they actually had math on them). The room was decorated in bright colors and when we had free time, she had some educational games by a computer for us to play with. Whatever the theme is, make it relatable to your students. You could probably find posters with cartoon characters appropriate for kids that age, so maybe your theme could be "relating education to entertainment." Whatever the theme, make sure the room is bright and full of colors. Plain rooms give kids the heeby jeebies and make them feel uncomfortable in the setting which affects their work.


Good luck, and I hoped I helped!!

Answer 2

Besides having a board set aside for a math. theme, you could have a maths. corner with all the various teaching aids and clocks etc. You could also have on your maths. board, numbers going around the inside of the edge or the maths signs such as multiplication sign 'X' etc. all along the wall underneath the boards. Other ideas: Welcome back to school board/ Our World- about the students' way of living etc./ multiplication wheel/ pie graphs or charts/ a educational video library for the class. On the wall you could also have a multiplication ladder (or division) where there are some equations with out the answers- and in an envelope ( a big colourful folder), also stuck on wall, you can have them stick on answers for a class activity. On the door you could have either paper flowers with long green stems . The ones I had (one time - I made them) had green wire stems, yellow flowers with orange in the middle. I put three long stemmed flowers horizontal wise across the door with with 3-4 inches space between them, and then place three other flowers vertical wise in the same way. The you spread your green leaves here and there on the stems. It gives a great design- like a lattice. You could do loads of other things too it is by no means limited to a few.

Answer 3

I am currently a senior early childhood major from Ohio. I understand that you teach in an Amish community? I remember that when I was in fourth grade, my teacher did a unit on the rainforest. She decked out our room with vines, trees, flowers...Just the whole nine yards. It really felt like a jungle in the classroom and it is one of my fondest memories from 4th grade. I am 22 now and as you can see, it left a lasting impression on me to this day! You may also consider including anything tropical with the rainforest idea. Have you ever purchased anything from Oriental Trading Company? They have oodles of decorations and crafts that you may purchase things for a rainforest room or at least get ideas on how to make your own things!

Good luck! A year from now, I will be raking my brain for ideas to decorate my classroom! I think the rainforst is a fun idea and is a place that most likely, children in the Amish community are not as familiar with! Have a great school year!

Answer 4

I suggest you go to a teacher store to get ideas. You don't have to buy the materials if you want to make your own, it would just give you some ideas. If there isn't a teacher store near you, go to carson-dellosa.com or teachercreated.com or any other you know of and just look at the bulletin boards things they have for sale. There are dozens and I know most anyone could make one just as good or better than what you can buy.

Answer 5

From my general understanding, this grade level is immersed in their music, favorite movies/movie stars, cartoons (the more older ones), and sports. Instead of guessing, have your students help you pick out a theme. Ask them, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to respond to you. You're a smart teacher, as you've already figured out that if a student enjoys coming to the classroom they will be more productive. =) Good luck.

Answer 6

Nature - Math and Science are so easily intertwined, plus kids at this age still love puppies, horses, dolphins, etc...
Also by using Nature as a backdrop, you can use distance, circumference, shapes etc.. using stones, trees, mountains etc.. They could bring things into to contribute to the classroom design for the year.
Animal prints are easy to find, on fabric, notebooks, stickers, etc... Small lamps strategically placed around the classroom, with nature-themed shades. Mats and rugs with same theme. Also you can use pawprints of different animals for the kids' names, for mathematical symbols and theories, etc..
Good luck on the upcoming year....

Answer 7

I kinda like the idea of space, or a hawiian vacation, or a cozy library,

Answer 8

Escher posters

Answer 9

"Reading Takes Me Away" with scenes from all kinds of books- foreign locales, fantasy worlds, other planets, the future, etc.