As a teacher, the classroom you create is a reflection of your personality, and the students notice it first when they walk in. The atmosphere children are in each day affects their emotions and attitudes. When the classroom is warm and comfortable, you give them the best start to their day. Let’s look at a few ways to create a welcoming classroom for elementary students.
Help Students Learn Names
Some children might know each other, but others won’t. Supply the kids with name tags and play games to help them learn and memorize each other’s names so that everyone feels important.
Have Designated Spaces
Designated spaces in a classroom show the children that you understand they all have different needs. While one child needs a quiet corner for reading, another may need an arts and crafts area to create and focus. Here are some ideas for designated spaces in the elementary classroom:
- Arts and crafts
- Reading corner
- Quiet games
- Audiobooks
- Writing center
- Dramatic play
- Math center
- Science table
As you get to know the students throughout the year, these areas can change to suit their personalities.
Create a Colorful Room
Children love a vibrant, colorful space. Make your classroom fun, bright, and useful at the same time with the following ideas.
Start the Morning Right
Many schools begin the day with The Pledge of Allegiance. Even if they don’t, it’s helpful for teachers to have an American flag in the classroom so they can point to it when discussing history and other topics. Another benefit of the American flag in the classroom is that it’s colorful and bright and may give the students a sense of belonging.
Cover Your Bulletin Boards
If your classroom has a bulletin board or two, cover them with paper and decorations to draw the students’ attention. You can use these areas to change up the scenery as seasons and events change.
Welcoming Seating Areas
Plain desks are boring. Make the ones in your classroom fun so the children can’t wait to sit down. Colorful name tags on each desk are useful, as the kids love to see their names. You could also place different colored pencil cups on each desk to make grabbing a writing tool easy.
Other seating areas, such as on the floor for reading or game time, can use colorful rugs or a variety of bean bag seats.
Bring Nature Inside
Potted plants serve as decoration and have a calming effect. They also double as science as the children help water the plants and watch them grow.
Your Welcoming Attitude
No matter how you decorate or what supplies you offer in the classroom, in the end, nothing matters more than your attitude as a teacher. Showing the children your smile and engaging with them is the best way to create a welcoming atmosphere for elementary students.