When Setting Up Your Elementary Classroom

Transform Your Classroom into an Encouraging and Supportive Space

The colors and setup of your classroom send the first message to anyone who walks in. Let it be one of warmth, acceptance, and community.

Picture you and your students walking into a classroom that feels like a sanctuary—bright, organized, and filled with positive energy. As you step inside, you can see the evidence of a strong community and support system, not just for your students but for you as well. This year could be the best year ever, and you have the power to make it happen!
Happy students in an encouraging and supportive classroom
Picture you and your students walking into a classroom that feels like a sanctuary—bright, organized, and filled with positive energy because you set up a classroom where your children can thrive.

As an elementary teacher, you are the hero of your classroom. You have the incredible ability to shape young minds and create an environment where students can thrive. You spend so much time thinking about and worrying about your students and their success. Of course, you want your classroom to be ideal. And you know that by thoughtfully arranging it, you can make a lasting impact on your students’ lives. You will make sure that this school year is the best one yet.

Ways to Transform Your Elementary Classroom: 

Plants lining the classroom windows making the room a calmer and more enjoyable space.
Adding plants and even a tiny water fountain creates a more calming and aesthetically pleasing classroom environment. Connecting to Nature can reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being for both you and your students.

Incorporate Nature.

You may not have considered it before, but adding plants and even a tiny water fountain creates a more calming and aesthetically pleasing classroom environment. Connecting to Nature (if you are a word nerd like me, it is known as biophilia) can reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being for both you and your students. 

Plants are visually pleasing, and they can even improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen while filtering icky air pollutants (and you know the classroom has air pollutants). Experts also say that the presence of plants can enhance students’ focus, concentration, and cognitive function.

The gentle sound of flowing water from a fountain can further reduce stress and anxiety, creating a more calming atmosphere. 

Gather a few natural elements just inside your classroom door to set the mood. A houseplant (a peace lily is my favorite), a Himalayan rock salt lamp (like this one), and a small water fountain (check this one out) will honestly make the biggest difference in your classroom.

 

 

 

 

Quote over child upset and looking sad because he needs a safe space in the classroom.
Imagine a student feeling overwhelmed by emotions. As the loving hero that you are, you’ve prepared a calm-down corner—a safe space where they can manage their feelings.

Add a Calm Down Corner:

Imagine a student feeling overwhelmed by emotions. (And more than likely, you don’t need to imagine because you experience it regularly) As the loving hero that you are, you’ve prepared a calm-down corner—a safe space where they can manage their feelings. 

While setting up your elementary classroom you remembered to include a small space for a stress corner.  You’ve set it up with comfortable seating (a neat pillow and something to hold onto like this), soothing colors, tools like stress balls (these are so cool), coloring books (and neat coloring tools), and breathing exercises. This haven helps students regain their composure and return to learning. And this  shows that you care about their emotional well-being. Consider having a mood meter or a way for students to rank their feelings and maybe even write them down (Look at these ideas) .

The calm-down corner can take up a little space. The perfect spot is a small, quiet corner of the room, even tucked behind a table, so an upset child is not a focal point for others (but you need to be able to see them). Add a calm-down corner to your beginning-of-the-year lesson plans so you can show and model how to use this spot correctly and allow time for your students to practice using it. Then, you and your young students can reap the benefits of such a thoughtful setup all year.

Use Positive and Encouraging Sayings:

"You Are Loved" quote on a rock for the positive and encouraging classroom
Your words have power. By placing positive affirmations around the classroom, you lift your students’ spirits and boost their self-esteem.

Your words have power. By placing positive affirmations around the classroom, you lift your students’ spirits and boost their self-esteem. Meaningful phrases like “You can do it!” and “I have faith in you” remind them daily of their potential and value. These sayings transform the classroom into a space where positivity reigns, and every student feels encouraged to do their best.  

More than likely, your wall space is premium real estate. You already have charts, word walls, and content boards, so you may be thinking that you don’t have room for different messages (plus it could look junky and visually crowded) But, there are multiple places in the classroom where you can include positive and affirming messages. It’s not just on the walls.  

Include a welcome message outside the door, next to the opening, that visitors see when entering your room. This message is the first opportunity for others to know and understand you. This welcome message is also perfect for linking your name with your students. A display with your name and all your student names together is a great classroom community builder. Let everyone know from the start who belongs to your classroom.

You can include positive sayings on the student nameplates on their desks, encouraging messages on individual work folders, and motivational quotes around the inside of the classroom door that your students will see as they leave the room. (Like these ideas). You can write sayings on the board, a different positive message each week, and even include reminders to be kind and make a difference as part of their homework assignments.

Positive and encouraging sayings should not only be read by the students in text around the room. Your students should hear and feel them daily. Get into the practice of greeting each other warmly each morning, encouraging each other throughout the day, and cheering each other on through all the classroom challenges.

Creating a Sense of Team:

Building a sense of community is one of your superpowers. You love your students and are helping them create an encouraging classroom. So, as you are setting up your elementary classroom, you’ve visually connected your name to your students and have multiple lessons and activities that help foster a strong team spirit. A “Class Family” board displays everyone’s name, reinforcing the idea that you’re all in this together.

Whether you design team flags for individual table groups, a classroom cheer or motto, or simply ask for everyone’s opinion each morning on a class survey, you make every student feel like an integral part of the group. This unity transforms your classroom into a supportive and cohesive team.

You make sure to leave space where all of your students can gather together for classroom meetings. Ideally, it will be where all of your students and you can sit in a circle on the same level and see each other. This space can have multiple functions, but you know the importance of classroom meetings. You include a gavel (something like this) for your class leader (class president) to call the meetings to order, and you include in your plan a unique ‘talking piece’ (an item like this) to manage the talking and help with listening during circle times.  

Keep your room Organized and be Careful with your Use of Colors:

Reminder:  When you are setting up your elementary classroom remember that the calmer they are, the easier they can learn, and the nicer your classroom will flow. A clutter-free, organized classroom reduces stress and enhances student focus. You’ve meticulously organized supplies, used storage solutions, and kept the classroom tidy. Bring a few lamps and string fairy lights (like these) around the board to combat the solid overhead lights. 

Being the impressive educator that you are, you’ve created a balanced and inviting environment. Choose calming colors for large areas and vibrant hues for accents. Think of nature’s colors. It uses broad blues and greens but with little pops of bright colors here and there. 

Bulletin board paper can anchor your wall displays, visually contain them, and make them stand out without overwhelming your students.

Happy students in an organized classroom.
A clutter-free, organized classroom reduces stress and enhances student focus.

Teacher Friend,

You will create an encouraging and supportive environment that you and your students will love, setting the stage for a successful year. Your efforts will profoundly impact your students. This year, your classroom will be a place where you and your students can thrive.

 So, hang up your cape, Super Teacher, and get to work.

Cheers to your best year yet!

Kinla

 

Continue your use of encouraging sayings in the classroom by using this Positive Alphabet.  Perfect for your ABC display and for headers for your word wall words.

Show your students how much they matter to you by planning Student Celebrations all year long.  Teach your students how to celebrate each other and create a tighter and more encouraging classroom community.

Complete your classroom setup by filling it with encouraging and student-centered decor.

Keep up the good work!

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