Creating a Theme

Journey Westward!

Simple flower arrangements throughout the room provide a
cheerful atmosphere for the students.

Summer is super exciting for me as a teacher. First, I have the opportunity to recharge my "battery" and spend time with the family. Although our summers are busy (I often lament that I need to go back to work so that I can rest), I enjoy taking time away from the stress and labor of teaching. The second reason that I love the summer is because I spend MANY hours in every thrift store within a 40 mile range. Thrift stores are the bomb!!! For those of us who work in Title One schools, thrift stores have provided many extra items for our classrooms that we could not have afforded otherwise.  I have purchased furniture, picture frames, books, puzzles, storage containers, rugs, and much more from local resale stores.

Planning for the next year is a fun part of the summer break for me. Once a theme is determined, my creative juices begin flowing. This year, my theme was Western. I thought that I would give you a glimpse into my classroom so that you could gain some inspiration from this fun subject matter.

I have two assistants who work with me in our self-contained classroom.  I designed this area for their use.  It is important to have a very organized area for them as they maintain a lot of data while aiding in instruction throughout the day. This space is used for one-to-one instruction and assessments throughout the school year.

Western Classroom Setup

A themed classroom does not have to be overloaded with items on the walls or on bulletin boards. In our special education setting, it is less distracting if we limit text and simplify instruction. Even general education teachers need to be aware of over-stimulation in the classroom.

Morning Area, Writing Center, and Helper Board

I hope that you have enjoyed this tour of my Western classroom theme.  May your summer be filled with rest, dreams, and anticipation for the upcoming school year.  Happy Summer Break!!!

the uncommon classroom teacher

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