One of my buddies I met at Space Camp does a house competition with his students and I kind of love the idea. I'm thinking about trying it next year. Since I teach science, the houses would be named after famous scientists or astronauts, I think. I did a group competition last year, but he mixed his houses so that every group had members of every house and I think that might be kind of fun too. I haven't thought about it too hard yet.
My theme is usually: anything goes! My borders on my bulletin boards have always matched the subject/project that is being displayed. I love colour! For the upcoming year, I thought I would experiment and go with a Comic theme. I am making it less superhero related. I didn't go all out, though. I used black paper to cover the boards and comic theme borders. I am also covering my bookcases with Con-Tact Paper to match the theme. I plan on keeping half the room in the theme, but I will change the borders on some of my boards throughout the year as at Christmas time everything comes down and Christmas theme and lights go up. I like change. I am actually really liking the black background. Our 2/3 teacher did this and I always liked it in her room so thought I would try it. I love changing bulletin boards, so can always change it up.
I'm looking forward to seeing how their art and writing "pop" on the black background. I love trying new ideas.
I would love to do a Harry Potter theme but nervous about parents not liking the "witch" component. Especially if I am at a Catholic School. So I might do a Broadway/Tony Awards theme. Huge musical fan here
No. But pick a few colors you like if you buy containers, bulletin board fabric, etc. so your room will look like you planned it all out! My mom teaches high school and she has yellow, green, red, and blue colored bulletin boards and decorations. The kids always tell her that they love her room.
Yeah my lead teacher told me that whatever money you get from supplies every year, use it to buy consumables that will be used that year. Buy anything like posters, books, printers etc with your own money so you can take it with you. Don't go overboard but that is the stuff you want to have no matter where you are
My new P has decided we will have a school-wide theme having to do with superheroes/powers. I'm not sure what I will do with this. I'm also not terribly concerned as I don't have much space to decorate. I need my walls for informative posters and word walls.
I think that mandating anything like this causes unnecessary stress or work for teachers with more important things to worry about. I mainly started this thread because, looking at teacher blogs and supply magazines, it seems like everyone has some kind of theme or beautiful decoration scheme. This thread made me feel better! I do think my classroom looks good - no theme, just colorful.
I love themes but I teach lower elementary and I find that you see more themes in lower elementary. I pick a theme and keep it for several years with adding more each year as I see the need. This year, I added very little and I have spent the least amount of money that I have EVER spent.
