This is my first year at an all boys middle school. I am trying to come up with a classroom theme. Any ideas?
Well, the first thing that comes to mind: Sports (teams, banners, etc.) Olympics (Rings, Country flags, athletic events, etc.) Cars Animals (Lions, Tigers, Bears, (oh my) ) Medieval (Knights, Squires, Tournaments, etc.) Mythology (Greek/Roman/Egyptian gods, etc.)
Hi, and welcome. I've never taught all boys, (but I have taught all girls.) But, more than that, I have taught 7th graders. I think it's probably pretty rare that classrooms have a theme; I think middle schoolers think themselves far too sophisticated for themes. That said, if you're going with one, I would probably avoid the traditional cars, trains , sports types of themes. How about something like Exploration? You could tie in lots of history, some oceanography, space exploration... How about Change? You could include everything from Daylight Savings time to the election to Carbon footprints.
I taught all boys for 8 months and have been in the same environment, but still couldn't tell you what theme to chose. the only things I can come up with are the traditional ones, but I also think they're cliche. I didn't really have a theme, but later on I found a lot of awesome inspirational and positive quotes and put them on my walls. A lot of them had pictures, others i just printed. They really liked them and often asked me to print some for them. I chose the ones suitable for my guys (for example, avoided those that were talking about taking risks,living life to fullest, because obviously my guys already have done that in a sense). You can also just start with a classroom without a theme, and later chose one as you get to know your students.
I am at a traditional public school who boys make up 84% of my students. I have what I call a digital character shelves. I have cabinets going around my classroom and on top of them are all sorts of digital characters. They range from pokemon, mario, angry birds, mind-craft, guild wars, halo, and whatever else they can find. The only rule we have is the character must be first be in a computer program, and not a movie or TV show. I got my collection of these things from my students. I bought a set of Mindcraft foldables as a rewards for my students. One student had the idea to put them on top, and that is how everything started. Then they starting bringing in the rest. I have gotten mario and other video game type wall stickers and it is fun. I teach computer science, with a focus on mobile applications not gaming. Once I set it up, I will be happy to share pictures of it.
Have you researched teaching all boys. I just you to be fully prepared. I've been looking at it a couple of years and taught several units as single gender. This year I am actually scheduled all year for SG. I've been to lots of conferences and PD to learn about teaching SG. If you need anything let me know. I've got some presentations and power points the presenters sent me also. I use it when presenting to the kids and parents at my school trying to convince them to sign up for the program. (my school is not a single gender school. Just the classes I teach). I really enjoy it.
Maybe wait to set up until you have the class established, and find out what they like and what themes they come up with. It's entirely possible to end up with boys with no interest in cars, or who hate sports, or who don't play video games etc. I'm sure they'll appreciate you valuing their input.
