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As a new teacher, setting up your classroom for the new school year is an exciting yet

overwhelming task. Creating an environment that fosters learning, motivation, and success is

crucial for both you and your students, and in this article, courtesy of K12 Educators Inc., we'll explore some of the best tips new teachers can utilize to set up their school room for success. Additionally, we’ll provide some common sense tips on how to remain organized throughout the school year to best serve your students at all times.

1. Create Motivational Posters

Based on the grades you are supposed to teach for the year, design posters that feature

empowering quotes and illustrations from personalities students can connect with. Try to include a variety of quotes from professionals in various disciplines, such as sports, science, the arts, and more. If you’re looking for a great platform that makes it easy to design compelling posters, this page deserves a look.

These posters will serve as great decorations for your classroom, throughout the year. You can also ask students to print their favorite quotes and hang them across the classroom.

2. Define Your Teaching Space

It’s best to have a concrete plan regarding how you’ll arrange your classroom based on the

subjects you are assigned to teach.

Ideally, it’s best to divide the classroom into various sections. For instance, you can add shelves to create a designated classroom library in one of the corners. Additionally, keep plenty of open space near your desk, which can be used to conduct meetings with students during group activities.

Remember that there should be no areas of the classroom where students will be unsupervised, especially if they are young. At a minimum, set up your classroom in a way that all students are in your eye line at all times.

3. Utilize Technology in The Classroom

As reported by Life Hack, students can be divided into six types of learners, this includes visual, auditory, reading, kinesthetic, social, and multimodal. Integrating the use of technology in your classroom can help to create a welcoming learning experience for all types of learners, enable them grasp difficult concepts, and make sound progress in their academic journey.

A computer, monitor, and projector are a few of the common technologies used in modern

classrooms. However, consider virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology as

well if your school permits it.

Additionally, online platforms such as Kahoot, Wordwall, and others can also be used to

conduct interactive in-class activities or lab sessions. Make a plan for the type of technologies you plan to use in your classes and test them before the school year to ensure you’re familiar with how to moderate the content.

4. Minimize Clutter

According to research, a cluttered or disorganized classroom creates a stressful environment for students, which negatively affects their mental health and makes it difficult to learn and maintain focus.

Hence, as a teacher, one of your main priorities will be to create a clutter-free classroom.

This can include:

● Removing all excess furniture, books, and decorations from the classroom

● Ensuring that desks are spread apart, providing every student an individual space to read and learn.

● Minimizing noise distractions in class, which means requesting everyone to keep their phones on silent and limiting the use of laptops and tablets by students when not required for academic purposes.

5. Establish Clear Rules and Routines

Establishing rules doesn’t mean you need to be strict at all times, rather it involves setting clear expectations regarding the coursework, grading, and classroom policies that everyone,

including you, will work collaboratively to maintain for the duration of the school year.

Rules and routines help to establish a structured learning environment for students of all ages, making it easier for you to conduct lectures, plan assignments, and provide guidance and assistance to students who need it during and after classes.

As a new teacher, naturally, you'll feel excited for the upcoming school year. Utilizing technology and minimizing clutter will be two great ways to provide students with the best learning experience. As for your classroom, consider decorating it with motivational posters and learning resources that will support your students throughout the school year.

-Article by Laura Pearson