So, you are probably thinking by now that I really like classroom themes. Truth is, I don’t think themes are really necessary and they are not for everyone. Some years, I have had themes and some years, I haven’t. Themes can be fun, but beware, they can turn on you quickly. My friend, Tara, created an amazing patriotic classroom last year. Everything in her room was red, white, and blue. She created a huge American flag across the length of her classroom and decorated everything in the same color combination. By the time we reached May she hated it! I would laugh every time she told me that she wanted to rip it all down! By June, she did it – she pulled it all down and was relieved to get rid of it all. Tara was living in a space that didn’t fit her personality and her favorite colors weren’t represented.
My friend, Mary from Texas, emailed me and asked her to come up with a theme for her. After I looked at her classroom, I knew a theme would not suit her. Her walls were filled with student work and art. It was obvious that the theme would look a little ridiculous with her child-centered classroom. Together, we decided that we should just choose a pretty color combination that compliments the existing colors in her room. Pretty paper and pretty border would work best with her teaching style.
A cute and inviting classroom doesn’t necessarily need a theme. I am a huge believer in making your space represent who you are. Remember, your classroom is like your second home. If you decide to choose a theme, make sure it is something you love and would enjoy living in for an entire school year.
Tara now has a new theme this school year – an ocean theme. She created a classroom with beautiful blues and greens – her favorite colors. She made this theme represent a part of her personality. Take it from the girl who lives next door to her (me), she is so much happier when she walks into her new classroom!!! Make your room represent YOU!
Happy Decorating!
Melanie
xoxo
I love your website, your photos, your themes! Such fun!
One thing I’d share–and encourage you to consider including in posts–is that when I taught at the university demonstration school (a model school), our staff psychologist told us that if we had an ADD or otherwise special needs child in our classroom, we needed to dial back the explosion of color and “stuff” in general. It killed us–most of us who taught grades 6 down LOVED this sort of classroom delight, while the 7-12 teachers tended to have bland rooms. The explanation was that those kids need clean, simple, well-organized, and neutral-toned classrooms to avoid sensory overload and help the kids hang on to the best of their ability.
Blessings!
Marcia
I love this website. It is completely amazing. I am looking for a new theme for my classroom next year. I am a Special Education teacher. Any cute ideas?
Hi Melanie!
I just found your blog and I can’t believe how much we have in common! On an earlier post, I was thrilled to see you had a grapevine wreath on your door! i thought I was the only one who did that!
Question: when you decorated for the holidays, did you remove your themed decor and replace it with halloween/ Christmas, etc? Or did you work it all in? I sometimes feel that all the hard work goes to waste come October 1st! I take most of it down and fill the classroom with fall/ Halloween, then change it for Thanksgiving, then for Christmas…. then February comes and it’s all Valentine’s Day decor! How do you keep your theme while still being festive?