Are you looking for awesome and unique classroom decor themes? See what's trending among other teachers. We asked, they answered!
Teaching theme is not an easy task! Not only do students need to have a strong comprehension of the story's elements (like plot, setting, and characters), but they also have to be able to make inferences to find the author's message, since most themes are not overtly stated by the author. So, what are some of my favorite activities for helping kids understand theme? I'll list a number of them here. 1. Make an Anchor Chart Anchor charts are a great way to make learning visual and to have a record that kids can refer to when they need a bit of extra support. Theme may be defined in a number of ways. To me, the theme is the author's message or what he/she wants the reader to take away/learn from the story. It is a BIG idea, with a real-world or universal concern and can be applied to anyone. Besides talking about what a theme is, you'll also want to go over what it isn't. For example, some kids confuse the main idea of the story with its theme. To help students understand the difference, it's helpful to use stories that everyone in the class knows, like previous read alouds or classic stories like The Three Little Pigs. You can take each story and discuss the main idea (what the story was mostly about - specific to the story) vs. the theme (the lesson the author wants the reader to know - not specific to the story), to contrast the two ideas. The second area of confusion for some kids is that the theme is not specific to the characters in the story. In the book Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, for example. The theme would not be that...A little mouse named Chrysanthemum learned to accept the uniqueness of her name. The theme would be larger than the book and would be something like...It's important to accept oneself. Also, you'll want to explain to your students that often times, a book has multiple themes and there are several answers which work equally well to describe a book's theme. Since theme is very subjective, I tell students that I will accept any answer, as long as they have the text evidence to prove it. For example, in the book, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, one might argue that the theme is about friendship, another might say family, or even courage, or kindness. Any one of these themes would be right, and counted as such, since they each fit the story and could be supported by text evidence. 2. Use Pixar Shorts to Practice Theme Besides the sheer enjoyment which comes from watching these mini-films, your students can learn a lot about reading concepts from these. They're great for ELL students or for struggling readers, and for all readers really since the text complexity piece is removed. You can find these clips on YouTube, but you'll want to make sure to preview them first, so you're more familiar with the plot and are able to focus on theme questions. Here are some of my favorite Pixar Shorts for teaching theme: Piper Partly Cloudy Lava Boundin' 3. Use Mentor Texts Mentor texts are one of my go-to teaching tools as picture books are able to portray examples of just about any reading concept you need to teach. One thing I like to do when using mentor texts for theme, is to vary the types of questions I ask. Rather than always saying What is the theme?, I might ask... What is the deeper meaning of this story? After reading this book, what do you think matters to this author? Which idea from the story do you think might stay with you? What did the author want people to learn from this story?... Once kids answer, you might say, Ah...so that's the theme! Some of my current mentor text favorites for theme include the following: Ish by Peter H. Reynolds I Wish I Were a Butterfly by James Howe Journey by Aaron Becker (a wordless book) Beautiful Oops by Barry Saltzberg The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed If you're looking for more titles, I have a FREE Mentor Text List for Literature which includes a page on theme which you can download from my TpT store. 4. Use Posters with Themes to Chart Book Themes I like to choose 8 - 10 common themes and place posters of them in the classroom. These are included in my Theme unit but you could easily make them yourself if you'd like. After we finish a class novel, a read aloud, or a mentor text as part of a mini-lesson, I like to have the kids discuss the theme of the book. Once we decide on the theme, I place a miniaturized copy of the book's cover (about 3 x 3 inches or so) under the correct theme poster. You can also make the posters more interactive by allowing kids to write titles of books they have recently read on sticky notes, under the posters as well. 5. Use Songs to Practice Finding the Theme I love to add music to the classroom whenever possible. Not only does it add instant motivation for some kids, but it is also just good for them in so many ways. There are lots of songs you can use to teach theme, from current pop songs to oldies, rap songs, and country songs. While all of these work well, I especially enjoy using Disney songs. Disney songs are easily recognized for some kids, have catchy, fun tunes, and have lyrics that need no censoring (yay!). You can easily find the lyrics online to project on a smartboard or document projector, and the song clips may be found on YouTube, Here are some of my favorite Disney songs which work well for theme: Hakuna Matata from Lion King Just Keep Swimming from Finding Dory Reflection from Mulan Let it Go from Frozen Something There from Beauty and the Beast A Whole New World from Aladdin 6. Introduce Short Texts Using Task Cards Using task cards for theme gives your students a great deal of practice in a short period of time, which makes them a perfect way to begin to practice finding the theme using text. I love the fact that students can read multiple task card stories and practice finding the theme 20 - 30 times, in the time it might take to read a story and find the theme once. You can do task cards as a center activity, to play Scoot, or as a whole class scavenger hunt. One thing I like to do for the scavenger hunt is to make sure everyone has a partner and to pair stronger readers with struggling readers. 7. Add Some Writing After students have worked on theme for a week or two, I like to have students create their own short stories which show a strong theme, without directly stating it. This changes each student's role from a theme finder, to a theme creator and gives students insight into how authors create a situation that allows a theme to unfold. When I introduce this project, we refer back to the task cards we just completed, as an example of story length and rich content. In a matter of 2 - 3 paragraphs, students learn that they can include enough information to let our readers know our message. After students are finished creating these short stories, it's fun to share them in some way, to give more theme practice. Sometimes I have students meet in small groups to share out, with group members guessing the theme. Other years, I leave a stack on my desk and grab several if we have a few minutes. Either the students or I read the short story out loud, and the class discusses the theme. 8. Move to Passages, Short Stories, and Novels. Once we have scaffolded a great foundation for the understanding of theme, there comes a point where kids have to move on to text which is more challenging. I like to use page-long passages which I have created, before using short stories, and ultimately novels. If you're looking for some ready made materials to help you teach theme, here's a packet I love to use which works well for 4th and 5th Graders. Click here to read more about the Theme unit. Want some more teaching ideas and activities to teach theme? Click here to read Teaching Themes in Literature. If you like this post, make sure to share it with a teacher friend! Thanks so much for stopping by! 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This list of classroom storage ideas and hacks for teachers could be just what you need to help you feel more organized. The Teach Starter teacher team is here to help you save you the time it takes to set up your classroom before students arrive for the first day of school with some simple, cheap and clever storage ideas for the classroom.
Time to get creative!
Including mini-lessons on theme and ways to assess students' understanding.
Real-life kindergarten spaces!
Theme, central message, moral of the story... cover it with these anchor charts.
Transforming an ordinary classroom into an inspiring and engaging learning environment can significantly impact students' motivation and enthusiasm for ...
Apples theme learning activities and shelf for kids with lots of fun and hands-on ways to learn. Read more here...
Amazing classroom decoration ideas including how to add a class fireplace, a beautiful teacher space, a classroom fridge and more!
Time to inspire and motivate your students with these 4 fun bulletin board ideas that are perfect for schools, classrooms, or libraries!
If you’ve been wanting to create a natural, calming vibe for your classroom, you’ve come to the right place! My modern farmhouse themed botanical classroom decor bundle will achieve just that! There has been a real shift towards bringing the outdoors inside, within our homes and our classrooms. So what better way than to include botanical inspired classroom decor into your teaching space! This stylish Botanical Classroom Decor bundle includes everything a teacher needs to set up a calming, natural classroom with new resources being added regularly! These editable resources give you the flexibility to customize them to suit your individual classroom needs. Better still, it’s also suitable for all year levels – primary and secondary! Australian School font versions have also been included for the Alphabet Posters, Number Posters and Word Wall Headers for those Australian Teachers who are required to use state specific fonts like Victorian Modern Cursive and Queensland Beginners font in their classrooms. I wanted to create these stunning, nature-inspired educational printables as an alternative to the bright colors we are so used to seeing cover our classroom walls. Colorful, busy classrooms can often be overwhelming for some students. Have you been thinking about using a neutral color palette to invoke a sense of calm and add an earthy, nature-inspired feel to your classroom? Well, now’s your chance! Keep scrolling for a sneak peek at what’s included in my best selling Botanical Classroom Decor Bundle. Take a peek inside the Botanical Classroom Decor Bundle Alphabet Posters In the gorgeous neutral Botanical range, my Alphabet Posters will add a beautiful touch to your classroom. I created them with Standard Primary Font, as well as Cursive Font *and* all of the Australian State Fonts. I’ve got all my Aussie teachers covered! Alphabet Word Wall Headers With my Alphabet Word Wall Headers, you’re able to choose your preferred font and simply type in the words that suit your classroom needs. They’re available in all Aussie state fonts. Behavior Clip Chart In my Botanical bundle, you’ll also find an editable Behavior Chart. This is a resource I’ve received so much positive feedback about. Some teachers choose to use this as a visual way to keep track of students’ behavior. Using a peg with their name on it, simply move your students up and down the chart as a form of behavior management. It comes in an editable design that you can easily customize to suit your needs. Birthday Display Remember seeing your name and birthday up on the classroom wall as a kid? How good was it! That’s why I created an editable Botanical Birthday Display. Also included are a heading poster for ‘Our Birthdays’ and a Months of The Year Birthday Chart. Bunting and Bulletin Board Banners This is one of my favorite ways to transform a classroom, because it’s so simple! My Bunting and Bulletin Banners are so simple to edit – just type in your text to create calming *and* stunning bulletin board headers that bring the outdoors in! Classroom Calendar and Weather Display This gorgeous farmhouse themed Class Calendar and Weather display is sure to brighten up your Morning Meeting Area and excite your students as they change the interactive pieces around each day! It’s such a simple tool for helping students learn about days of the week, as well as seasons and weather. Classroom Labels If there was one thing I couldn’t live without as a teacher, it would have to be labels! They’re *essential* for keeping a classroom organized, right? Use my Botanical Classroom Labels on your students desks, bag tags, tubs, math and literacy resources, teacher and office supplies, organize your storeroom tubs, cupboards and more! They come in various shapes and sizes – such as round, rectangle, small, medium and large. Wanna know my favorite thing about these labels? You can even create your own calming affirmation station for your students to look at and be inspired by each day! Classroom Jobs Having classroom jobs has always been a hit with my students. They thrive on having a sense of responsibility and ownership over their classroom. My Botanical Classroom Jobs display is a simple and stunning way to make this happen! Display them in your classroom and change them as frequently as desired. 100 Days at School Tally Reaching the 100 Day milestone is special. Each morning, this 100 Days at School display helps teachers reinforce early years number and place value concepts. *And* it’s also a countdown to one of the most fun days in Prep and Kindergarten! Door Display Your door display can be seen as the face of your classroom, so it can really help you set a calming and inviting tone for your room! The Botanical Door Display is of course editable, and also includes editable labels for you to type in your students’ names. Classroom Posters Use my Editable Botanical Classroom Posters to display your classroom rules or values, make Botanical themed binder covers, motivational quotes… the possibilities are endless! To make it as simple as possible to use, all you need to do is type in your text to create your own customizable nature-inspired posters to suit the needs of your class. Goals Desk Mat My Botanical themed Goals Desk Mats are a simple way to help students achieve their goals. They’re editable so you can update your students’ goals as frequently as you like! Group and Table Signs Get your students moving from one task to the next without any confusion by making your tables easily identifiable with my Group and Table Signs. Learning Intentions, Success Criteria, WALT, WALF etc This display can be used in two ways: you can simply type in your learning focus, print and display. Or, you could print blank sheets, place them in a plastic pocket and display them in your classroom. Just use whiteboard markers to record your daily learning focus and erase them to re-use the next day. My Learning Intentions and Success Criteria come in multiple editable designs so you can pick your fave! Number Posters My Numbers Posters have been a real hit lately, and it doesn’t surprise me – because my students have always found them so useful in my classroom. My Botanical Number Posters come in the following numbers: 0-20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100. Student Name Plates I’ve made my Student Name Plates available for all year levels. With this editable file, simply type in or hand write your students’ names! They include a number line and the alphabet in a standard font as well as all Aussie State Fonts. Teacher Toolbox Labels Keep your classroom stationery supplies organized with my Botanical Teacher Toolbox Labels. They’re of course editable, so you can customize your toolbox to store exactly what you like! Teacher Trolley – 10 Drawer Cart Labels Keep your teacher drawers organized whilst looking stylish with these stunning Botanical Modern Farmhouse Teacher Trolley labels. These nature themed cart labels have been created to PERFECTLY fit any ’10 Drawer Trolley’ as most of these carts are the same dimensions. I purchased mine from Kmart, however you can also get them at Spotlight in Australia. Visual Timetable with Clocks We all like to know what the plan for the day is right? So do our students! Keep your class on task and in the loop with what’s on for the day with this stunning Botanical Visual Timetable. Included is a PDF version – just print and go, as well as an editable PowerPoint version – just type in your own text and choose your own fonts! I’ve also added clocks if you wish to use them as a separate teaching point for your students. Welcome Signs These gorgeous Botanical Welcome Signs can be placed on your classroom door or window to welcome your students each day! There are various styles of welcome posters, so you can pick your fave, or alternate them as often as you like! Just choose your own font, type in your classroom name, print and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous nature-inspired welcome poster! That’s all, BFFs! I hope you loved getting a sneak peek into my Botanical Classroom Decor range. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to comment and ask below! If you’d like to grab the bundle for yourself, simply click here. Want to see more? If you’re curious about my other popular classroom decor bundles, you can check them out here: Boho Rainbow Classroom Decor Modern Rainbow Classroom Decor Modern Boho Classroom Decor DO YOU LIKE MATCHY MATCHY? If you are anything like me, then you will probably be dreaming about decking out your *entire* classroom in the matching modern farmhouse tones – right?? If that’s the case, then you’re going to love these additions that I have created specifically to match the natural vibes of my Botanical Classroom Decor Collection. Bulletin Board Lettering Creating your very own headers for your bulletin boards and classroom displays has never been easier, using this editable lettering pack. It’s so easy to customize and edit – simply type in your letters using the pre made templates and print! I’ve also included a video tutorial to take you through the process step by step. Botanical Themed Reading Group Organizers Keep your guided reading groups visible and organised for both yourself and your students by using these natural and calming posters and labels in your classroom.
My favorite part about getting ready for back to school is getting all of the bulletin boards set up around my classroom. Here are some of my favorite ideas.
The freebies have moved! Instead of having the freebies in a separate resource library, we have put all of our freebies in our shop. You can find the freebies by clicking right here!
Find a cute and easy theme for your elementary, special education, or middle school classroom.
Chart detailing monthly themes including holidays, seasons, and social skills. Helpful to plan activities for the entire school year. Appropriate for multiple age levels.
This printable All About Me poster is perfect for a preschool or kindergarten All About Me theme. This will be a keepsake for years to come too!
Prep for any absence with the substitute teacher binder! Use these editable forms to give the substitute teacher all the information needed!
If you’re midway through your summer break, I hope this finds you with a cocktail or mocktail in hand! But if you’re anything like me, you’re probably also starting to dream about what next year will look like. So today I’m sharing five of the best classroom themes you need on your Pinterest board. And don’t worry if it hasn’t crossed your mind yet, I’ve got you covered! Start With a Colour Scheme There are endless options when it comes to choosing a theme - but I see themes a little differently than some of the ideas you see on Pinterest. Rather than choosing an alliterative theme based on my name, like ‘Miss Jacobs’ Giraffes’ or ‘Chantelle’s Sharks’ I tend to start with an overall colour palette. It all starts with colour! Starting with a colour palette in mind means your theme is broad and can flex with the seasons throughout the school year. You can easily carry a colour palette through your different lessons, occasions, communications and displays, without having to hunt too hard for niche graphics and decor. (Thank goodness too - I’m sure there’s no such thing as good giraffe decor!). Take Cues From Home Decor Once I’ve chosen a colour palette, I then enable my Target addiction and have a little scroll through what’s new in their homewares section. It’s like a sampling platter of the latest trends and I find it sparks all kinds of ideas. (Tell me I’m not the only person to find Target inspiring!). Bigger home decor items help embed a theme with little effort - consider rugs, storage carts and bulletin boards for displaying student work. While I try not to buy too much, each year I grab a few things that I’d be happy to bring home after the school year is out. 1. Neutrals Classroom Theme Pinterest-Worthy Classroom Theme 1 The first Pinterest-worthy classroom theme is all about neutrals - think taupes, beige tones and lots of organic textures. This palette would pair best with my Spotty Neutrals, Boho Vibes, Earthy Rainbow and Boho Plants ranges. Here’s a perfect example of pinterest-worthy neutrals mixed with Boho Vibes lettering display and editable posters from @miss_grosse_! Products that will help you achieve this look: 2. Plant and Greenery Classroom Theme Pinterest-Worthy Classroom Theme 2 Next up - we have a green and neutral palette. Plants are huge right now - which feels like a funny thing to say, but it’s true! Mixing natural green tones with earthy neutrals feel fresh, modern and relaxing. This colour palette pairs best with my Boho Plants and Botanical ranges. Here’s a gorgeous example of earthy goodness from @teachingwithmissblechynden. Stunning! Products that will help you achieve this look: 3. Pastels Classroom Theme Pinterest-Worthy Classroom Theme 3 A pastel theme is always popular and for good reason! It’s calming, pretty and there are so many sweet office supplies and decor items available in pastels. If you want to be pedantic (*cough* like me), aim for pastels with a cool base or a warm base, rather than mixing both. It just ties everything together. The best MJLL items for a pastel theme are definitely the Spotty Pastels and Modern Rainbow ranges. A fantastic illustration of how pastel themes come to life with decor, from @teachingwithmissburford. Products that will help you achieve this look: 4. Rainbow Classroom Theme Pinterest-Worthy Classroom Theme 4 Rainbow themes are pure fun - almost anything goes! My tips is to choose a select number of colours so it’s not too overwhelming. And embrace clashing patterns! Modern hues of navy, mustard and burgundy are fun, but then again, classic primary colours always will work too! I’d recommend my Spotty Brights or Tropical ranges for a rainbow theme. Check out this stunning Rainbow theme created using my Spotty Brights Affirmation Station and vibrant rainbow classroom decor, from @missj_primary_teacher. Products that will help you achieve this look: 5. Earthy Classroom Theme Pinterest-Worthy Classroom Theme 5 And finally - an earthy palette with rich berry hues, mustards, brick colours and emeralds gives a lovely lush aesthetic. And you’ll have plenty of MJLL themes to pair it with - my Spotty Neutrals, Boho Vibes, Earthy Rainbow and Boho Plants ranges all work with this colourway. How good are the earthy vibes in @teachingwithmissamanda’s dreamy classroom? Products that will help you achieve this look: One Last Thought Now I’m the first to admit that Pinterest doesn’t always represent the reality of our classrooms. In fact, it rarely does! So BFFs, let’s just agree to take Pinterest for what it is - a huge collection of ideas and inspiration. Our classrooms will always be busier, noisier and messier than those perfect pins we see, and that’s more than okay. If our students are happy, safe and learning - that’s all that matters! There are thousands of ideas on my Pinterest, so I humbly recommend you make the most of my addiction! And once you’ve landed on the colour scheme for you next classroom, make sure you head to my website to see which of my collections and resources will compliment it best. If you have any questions - I’m always here to help!
These ideas are on point.
Create a tranquil feel for you and your students with these calm classroom decor themes! Use nature inspired decor for a peaceful vibe.
Freebie Vault Login How do I login??? Keep Reading! Welcome to the freebie vault, Teacher Friend. As a thank you for being an email list subscriber and supporter of my business, I love to create and add monthly freebies for YOU to enjoy! It is absolutely free to join this community and to continue to […]
The weekend is family time. A fun weekend does not always have to go out there. Arranging some family-friendly activities at home could be fun too. If you seek activity ideas, here are the outdoor and indoor activities to hold at the weekend with your family..
Begin teaching theme with fables. Kids easily find story elements and consider how a character's actions affect the outcome.
Teachers post great ideas on Instagram for everything from keeping your room clean to getting kids moving. We’ve collected a few, plus hashtags you should follow.
Discover new classroom ideas for classroom management, decor, organization, storage, desk layouts, fun ideas and more!
A ‘Wow’ wall header to match our tropical theme. With editable leaves to add your own names.
Welcome to our class! I’ve changed some parts of my classroom this year and I have to say that I’m loving how everything turned out. Please note that this is my 12th year of teaching and I did not create this environment overnight. It’s taken years to accumulate and/or create everything that is in this ... Read More about Learning in Wonderland Classroom Tour
My first ever high school classroom was nature-themed, and I’m now I’m bringing it back for a middle school teacher in my area! While I don’t have any pictures from that teaching era, I can paint you a picture of what I looked like: I printed some of my favorite hiking pictures to display around ... Read More about Nature Themed Classroom Decor: A Calming and Plant Filled Classroom
Description With my EDITABLE Boho Plants Meet the Teacher template, you'll have a gorgeous teacher introduction sheet prepared in no time! Created in my Boho Plants theme, using minimalist and neutral tones, you're able to easily add information about yourself, such as: About Me, Fun Facts and Favorites. $$ SAVE $$ and grab these Meet the Teacher Templates in the complete BOHO PLANTS CLASSROOM DECOR BUNDLE available HERE What's included: 8 stunning editable meet the teacher template designs in Powerpoint format -with blank templates included - making it perfect for the dual language or bilingual classroom! (Eg: Type in Spanish or French etc) To edit: You must have Microsoft PowerPoint or equivalent installed on your computer. Simply type into the text box provided - it's that easy! Match your classroom style with meet the teacher templates in every classroom decor theme.
