Setting Up Your High School Classroom Spaces

A high school classroom is a sacred, powerful space for both teachers and students. Whether you are setting up for the start of a new year or rearranging and rethinking the way things currently function, here are three key ideas to keep in mind.

1. Functional Spaces Over “Decor”

Filling up a cart at HomeGoods, Target, Amazon, or your local teacher store can be a tempting way to get your classroom ready for students to arrive or to refresh your space, but try to pick and choose carefully. After years and years and multiple classrooms, I’ve found that functional spaces that look pleasing are much more effective than decor alone.

TRY AN FAQ CORNER:

If you have a section of your classroom that needs some decor, why not kill two birds with one stone? Pictured here is my FAQ station: the place where students come for their most frequently asked questions. The two birds? A color-coordinated, on-theme wall covering AND regaining some of my sanity back. You know that feeling of training your students on all of your routines and expectations for months, only to be asked, where do I turn this in? just a month later? After a while, those kinds of questions can drive me nuts, so instead of getting frustrated, I simply point over to this section of the room. Students can scan the QR code and see the answer to their question (it’s a video of me!).

TRY A “TAKE WHAT YOU NEED” TABLE:

To make students feel part of the classroom is the entire point of building an inviting classroom. The goal is to create community AND beauty, so I starting building a special space in my room called the “take what you need” board. This space has a table and bulletin board where students can grab whatever they need AND donate to the space as well. From coloring pages to hard candy, to note cards with inspiring messages to hand lotion, I keep all kinds of items here to help students feel comfortable and cared for.

2. Expect the Unexpected

Whatever you do, don’t get too comfortable with any arrangement! As teachers, we learn that everything can change in an instant. When putting your classroom together, keep FLEXIBILITY in mind at all points. Flexible seating, flexible use of spaces, and flexible lighting are all incredibly helpful as you navigate through changing expectations and situations in the classroom. I’ve written a bit about my Amazon favorites before and have truly enjoyed these touch lamps to replace the fluorescent ones that my classrooms have always had.

3. The Classroom Library

If you’re setting up a high school ELA classroom, a classroom library might be on your mind. I’m here to give you permission to pump the breaks on building an entire library. Your classroom library can be something as simple as your favorite reads on a three-tiered rolling cart. Here’s how I downsized my classroom library when I moved schools after ten years of teaching.

4. Phones & Technology

While handling cell phones and charging cords and iPad carts might not come to mind first when you’re thinking about classroom decor, remember that these functional components of your teaching day should be a part of what you consider when putting your spaces together. Think about how and where your students will have access points to charging (or not!) and what you plan to do when students use their phones (or not!). My cell phone policy is actually blended into my classroom decor as I use a shoe hanger on my whiteboard for kids to give their phones a break and charge during class. I’ve also found great success with a power strip that has charging ports for power cords and USB cords.

What other considerations do you have when putting together a classroom space for high school students? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!

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