Simplicity is necessary as a teacher of young children.
Picture 30 brand new kindergarteners in one classroom with 1 teacher and 1 brand new aide (a fresh May graduate who was hired the day after school started).
I spent weeks preparing, yet I still started the year in what felt like complete chaos and disorganization. Over the past year I’ve been slowly adding in ideas to make my life at school easier. Some of these involved taking the time to make something new, some involved buying something new…and some simply involved changing some of my normal routines.
In this blog, I’ll share many of my favorite simplifying techniques and products. For now, here is a peek at some of my classroom decor- Even my decor has been simplified.
Presenting…
Nature.
I know, it isn’t flashy and bright… But with nature as my theme, I don’t feel the same pull towards all the new and trendy patterns and products at the teacher store each year. I may buy a few small things, but the majority of my decor is simple, neutral colored, and with natural patterns and textures.
Rather than going all out to decorate for each holiday, I keep Mr. Moose up on my door all year long and decorate his antlers each month. It saves SO much time, and the kinders love seeing what he will wear next.
Grab this neutral colored ABC rug here. I’m waiting for the day that I can buy this one!
I LOVE adding in as many calm colors as possible which is why I bought the weathered wood paper you see on the bulletin board! I also used the extra paper to create a “bulletin board” on a blank wall. I cut it down a little bit just so it would fit in the laminator and ta-da- you have a simple, make-shift bulletin board!
To make the READ sign in the library, I used woven placemats I grabbed at a rummage sale. These bamboo placemats would make fun classroom signs as well! Just go on a stick hunt and pull out that hot glue gun.
In order to get some of the materials that I wanted was dying to have, I created a campaign on DonorsChoose.org. This added a bit of extra work, but this organization really is fantastic! They make it super easy to get the materials that you want and need for your classroom. They also have coupon codes that allow donors to have their donations matched.
I love the calm, neutral colors and the kinders really enjoy having “nature” all around them! š
More Back-to-School photos to come!
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