After a year with many teaching from our homes, most of us are back in the classroom this year. Seems like a good time for a fresh start and new beginnings. End of the last year I purged a lot of stuff I haven’t used in years. This year due to a new board panel, I had to rearrange my set up. So whats are the “must have’s” and “think twice” when it comes to classroom decoration:

Must Haves for language acquisition

• Spanish Rejoinders: Let the students use useful phrases to react to situations around the classroom. There are some great rejoinder posters from Grant B.  or you can print your own from us. 
• Question Words and Common Expressions: My school has a poster maker so I print out these lists of useful words and phrases to hang up.
• Proficiency Level: Trying to explain the various proficiency levels can be difficult. To keep expectations clear to students, I use the ice cream analogy. I get requests all the time for the link to our bulletin board posters.
• Language Acquisition quotes: Free printable posters describing how language acquisition words and benefits of reading.

Must Haves for Culture / Classy Decoration

• Keep it classy and easy with cheap frames and old calendars.
• Shower Curtain Art
  • • • I saw this great idea on facebook and if you have a large classroom, you can cover 6 feet of space with these!
        
        Get these Frida curtains on Amazon: (Discloser: contains affiliate links)
        Frida wearing flower 
        Frida in Garden 
        Vintage Latin American Street
        Welcome to Cuba
        Costa Rica Volcan Poas
        Macchu Pichu
        Llama at Macchu Pichu
        South America Map of flags
        Latin America map with flag icons
• Obviously, flags are a must. Hanging them up is the hard part, but with tension rods it’s so much easier. Or buy a string set of flags on Amazon for cheap.
• Papel Picado
• Pictures from the Spanish Speaking world. Print out your own pictures and create an instagram inspired travel theme.
• Also, some inspirational quotes are always nice. Try vinyl wall decor:
  
  Costa Rica Volcan Poas
  Sé el cambio que quieres ver en el mundo
  Hoy es un día perfecto para empezar a vivir tus sueños
  Sonrie cada momento…. $5.99
  Todo es posible
  Sí se puede 6″ x 30″
  Prohibido rendirse

Think Twice before hanging up

• I see a lot of classrooms that are filled corner to corner with posters, decorations, and color. Sometimes it is best to keep it simple. An overly decorated classroom could be overstimulating and distracting to your students. 
• Cognates word walls. I’ve seen it and I’ve even done it myself. But if the word is true cognate students will recognize it when they see it. Is this the best use of your space?
• Word walls filled with words. Again, too many words on it might be overwhelming and how useful are those words you put up?

What are you most proud of in your classroom? What is something that every classroom should have? What is something that you’ve seen a lot and aren’t quite sure why? Comment below and if you have links to pictures, even better!!