How to Plan Your Music Classroom Decor
Ok, y’all...it’s time to talk about planning out your music classroom decor for the new school year! Now, before y’all jump all over me saying, “It’s July 2nd! I am on summer break!” I know, I know! It’s early, I get it. Buuuuuut, if you’re already getting inservice emails like I am, you know that it’s time to get in gear! So, if you’re still in full on summer mode, that’s cool. Make sure to pin this post or email it to yourself so you can check it out later!. In the meantime, have a pool day for me!
Are you guilty of spending HOURS in your classroom over the summer? Yeah, me too. That was pre-kid Rachel… I would change things every year, make sure everything on the walls matched perfectly, and obsess over every little detail. Insert post-kid Rachel… Now, I’ve lived and learned. I have staples that stay up in my classroom year after year so I don’t have to change much. Staples, get it? 😂 But seriously, making your classroom decor super functional will save you hours by not having to change it out year to year.
We are allowed to keep everything on the walls over the summer. This is so helpful in preparing for next year. Those of you that have to completely tear down and pack up your room...you’re a rockstar. That is HARD!
Pro tip: Take pictures of your classroom before you tear it down. Then you’ll know exactly where everything goes next year!
For the first time in 5 years, I’m completely changing the theme of my classroom. Because of this, my classroom is pretty bare right now. I’ll be working on it off and on this summer. So, make sure to stay tuned for a huge classroom reveal before school starts back! Are you switching up your theme this year? Email me and let me know what it is!
Get Your Classroom Decor Checklist!
Mix it Up!
Close your eyes and think about your ideal classroom. What does it look like? What feeling do you get when you walk in? My classroom walls are literally covered in decor...and I mean covered! Well, technically it’s pretty empty right now since I’m changing my theme. Check out what it *used* to look like.
The key to classroom decor is creating a good mix of functional displays and fun stuff! My students know where all the displays are that they need to reference (more on this in a minute) but I also throw in fun things too! Try to use all the space you can! Even my office door is covered in music festival and band posters. This is a fun personal touch that helps me make a connection with the kids.
Here to Stay
Think about your classroom. More than likely, you have two main types of decor. 1) Things that stay on the wall all year long and 2) displays that you change a few times a year. Let’s take a second and think about your decor that sticks around all year long. These displays should be things your kiddos reference all the time like:
- Standards & I Can Statements
- Classroom Rules & Expectations
- Rhythms & Note Values
- Pitches & Solfege
- Instrument Family Displays
Of course, your list might look much different than mine and that’s fine! Remember, work smarter not harder and leave up what you can for as long as you can.
My rhythm syllables and treble clef pitches are a perfect example of permanent decor! My students reference this each and every week so they stay up all year long!
Get Your Free Classroom Decor Checklist!
The next one is a little more tricky. What decor do you need in your classroom that can easily be changed every now and then? For me those are:
- Student Work Displays
- Hallway Bulletin Boards
- Recorder Rules & Expectations
- Orff Rules & Expectations
The biggest thing to remember about these variable pieces of decor: KEEP IT SIMPLE! You don’t want to be changing an intricate bulletin board every month. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
These recorder rules are a part of my Farmhouse Music Decor! I put these up for the duration of our recorder unit (usually about 8-9 weeks). Once the unit is over, I take them down and switch out the bulletin board.
Time to Get Started!
Okay...now that you have some ideas floating around, let’s get planning! Except for those of you that are still in summer mode! Y’all already pinned this to read later, right?! I created a checklist for you to make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row when it comes to planning your music classroom decor this year. This guide will help you decide what decor needs to be permanent and what will change. You’ll have your whole classroom planned before you even set foot in the building!
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