Teacher’s Brain

Month: August 2020

Teacher Tips for Back to School with Social Distancing

Back to School, Distance Learning, Teaching Tips

Are you ready to get back to school with your students? Returning to school safely is going to make teachers think creatively when designing their classrooms! There are so many unknowns, but I know for sure that being organized and clean is going to play a big role in our Back to School routine this school year due to the pandemic.  Look at some teacher tips for back to school with social distancing in mind.

Here are some classroom decor designs and teacher tips for you to ponder!

Returning Back to School Safely

1. This is a kindergarten teacher’s classroom by Lacy Jenkins. She decided to make the protectors in a fun way to be less intimidating! Lacy used PVC piping and clear shower curtains to make her dividers. Learning will be like a beach in this classroom!

beach themed classroom

2. How creative is this Teacher’s Brain? Jennifer Pierson transformed her desks into jeeps using cardboard boxes and clear shower curtains! The front of each jeep has a removable white plate for students to write their names on each morning for daily practice and check-in. Learning will be a smooth ride in this classroom!

jeep themed

3. Kaycie Huffman uses yoga mats, plastic serving trays, and individual bins for supplies to keep her students learning safely in the classroom.

Classroom Design ideas with Yoga Mats for Social Distancing

4. Let’s talk about how obsessed I am with this amazing makeover by Schoolgirl Style! The colors scream happiness. There is social distancing happening, and it tells students some fun is going to happen in this space. (PHOTO: @eccampbellphotography )

life is sweet in Kindergarten classroom decor

Visual Editable Schedule for the ClassroomCheck out this amazing editable class schedule that can go with any classroom decor!

5. Having sub material is going to be very important this year if you are in the classroom! Mrs. Henry in First ( @mrshenryinfirst ) has a great way to prepare for those unexpected absences!

sub folder ideas

6. Look at this Teacher HACK! Masks and shields muffle your voice, so @mshannahengelke found a wireless mic headset so kids can hear her from across the room. She also said she, “feels like a pop star from the 90s” wearing it. #micMASK

microphone masks for teachers

7. Use a Back to School Checklist to help you remember all the things you need to do before your year begins. Grab this FREE one with FLOOR MARKERS HERE.

                  Back to School Social Distance Checklist                                 6 feet apart floor markers

Thank you to Rena Wooters for sharing this adorable DOOR  and Bulletin Board DECOR for the classroom! It’s Going To Be a BRIGHT Year! I love this door and board! It is such a happy visual for students.

Classroom Door Decor

Bright Bulletin Board First Grade

 

 

Also, read these for some more Teacher Tips for Back to School with Social Distancing:

 

Back To School Classroom Decor Tips

Back to School, Teaching Tips

One of the best parts of getting ready for a brand new school year is choosing your classroom decor! It is so fun to plan out how things will be laid out, what colors you will use, and  what you want your students to feel when they come into your room. 

Using your classroom decor to make your classroom a warm and welcome environment is especially important if you have younger students. Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade kiddos are likely to be feeling extra nervous because school is so new. Many kindergarten students are experiencing school and being away from their parents for the first time. We want to make them feel welcome, excited, and comfortable with our classroom. 

Here are some tips for decorating your classroom

  1. Plan it out early. Start thinking about what you want to do with your classroom in the summer. This gives you time to lay it out and find the supplies you need and have them ready when it is time to decorate. 
  2. Pick a fun theme. Themed classroom decor is a fun way to make your class memorable and stand out to your students! You can do themes that are more specific like Under The Sea, Zoo Animals, and Rainbows. Or you can do a more simple theme like bright colors!
  3. Make it welcoming. A warm and inviting classroom can help ease those first day jitters. Your students will love coming to a room where they feel happy and comfortable all year long.
  4. Add to it as you go. It is great to use your wall space for fun decorations, but keep some spots bare. You can add to your classroom decor as the year goes on. 
  5. Let your students help! This is a fun way to make the students feel more relaxed and like they had a part in their classroom decorations. Come up with some fun crafts that they can do that go along with the theme. When they are done, display it on your walls! 

I created this fun Hawaiian Beach Themed  Classroom Decor Bundle to help make your decor planning easier!

This editable decor bundle will bring a relaxing and calm feel to your class.  This includes 6 resources using Hawaiian pictures and watercolors. 

classroom decor

classroom decor

classroom decor

Included you’ll get: 

  • Welcome banners
  • Tropical word wall
  • Growth mindset posters
  • Labels
  • Table numbers
  • Center posters
  • Hawaiian photo alphabet lines (in cursive and print)
  • Name tags
  • Editable classroom jobs
  • Number posters
  • Where Are We signs
  • How I Get Home sign
  • Calendar set with watercolors
  • Editable Power Points

Get your Hawaiin Classroom Bundle here! 

classroom decor

Do you have any tips for decorating your classroom? Share them in the comments below!

For other back to school tips, check out my post here.