This year our school theme is "soaring to new heights" so I wanted to keep the theme going and bring it into my classroom decor! This uplifting hot air balloon theme focuses on positivity and growth mindset. Bright colors and whimsical touches will inspire students and encourage their creativity. The sky is the limit with this classroom makeover! There are so many different directions you can soar in. Be sure to also check out the Up and Away Reading Corner and the DIY Hot Air Balloon Bulletin Board to take your classroom to new heights.
The key to a fun classroom theme is transforming unexpected spaces, like the top of cubbies or shelves. I added an artificial grass table runner along my cubbies. I used just a dab of hot glue to keep them in place. Add in some small paint cans to keep all of your colored pencils in order. This makes it easier for students to find their favorite color!
One of my favorite projects for this classroom transformation is our new Hello Third marquee sign. It hangs above our class white board with white tissue fans behind it. To begin I took marquee letters and spelled out THIRD. I removed the cardboard liner and painted each one a different bold, bright color. I chose, pink, tangerine, yellow, lime green and aqua to match the colors in my room. I also took black spray paint and sprayed the galvanized hello sign. Aqua paint helped to transform two rustic wood DIY signs. I attached them together in the back with a staple gun and a piece of wood to stabilize the sign. I attached the galvanized hello sign and the marquee letters to the wooden sign using hot glue. The bright, cheery colors on this sign are a perfect way to welcome my third graders.
DIY wood hot air balloons were painted in the same bright colors and hung next to the marquee sign. Once my students arrive, little baskets will be added and their pictures will sit inside the balloons.
Creating cozy spaces that your students will feel inspired by is key to a good classroom transformation. This classroom reading corner adds a little bit of whimsy with beautiful butterflies that cling to the window ledges. I used some heavy duty velcro to attach these to the window ledges. Colorful serene spaces will help your students to get lost in their favorite book. Be sure to check out the step-by-step directions to create your own Up and Away Reading Corner here.
Creating flexible seating options for your classroom is a must for students today. While I am not 100% for getting rid of standard desks I do love having options for my students. Yoga balls and low stools surround our reading table and our makers space area.
I've found that creating a themed bulletin board can help spread your theme throughout the classroom. Check out how to create your own Hot Air Balloons Bulletin Board here. Adding the see through sky backdrop to windows and doors helps to let light through while obstructing the view. This is helpful when you want to keep students focused and not distracted by people in the hallways. Add a colorful growth mindset poster and you are all set!
Creating a space in your classroom where students can explore and create is critical to a creative classroom. I love incorporating a maker space in my classroom. This year we added in a Lego® table and more STEM themed activities my students can build and explore. Using the large wooden box to hold the Lego® pieces helps my students see all the pieces that are available.
Using unexpected objects like paper lanterns and honeycomb tissue balls to create the hot air balloons around the room really adds some whimsy and fun. The bright colors make the room cheery and inviting. I even used the DIY hot air balloons above the student tables to denote the table colors. See how I made the DIY Hot Air Balloons here.
One of the most important areas in our classroom is our welcome station. This little area right by our front door is where I place important updates, class newsletters, inspirational ideas, etc. This is also our student message board. If a student has something to share they grab a post it and add it to our #tweet board. Throughout the day I can use these to add to our classroom conversations. Below the welcome board I also have plastic bins where students can turn in their homework, add notes to the office and sign in for the day.
To create this board start with covering your board with the bold blue better than paper then use the black and white stripe, Hello Sunshine rainbow border, and clouds border trim. I like to line them up and layer them prior to adding them onto the board. Just staple together for easy assembly. Add a few tassel cutouts to hide where your borders join together. For the top I used white tissue fans to look like clouds. I also added a colorful rainbow fan garland. The "Hello" cutout from Schoolgirl Style's Hello Bulletin Board Set is perfect for the top of this board. To balance it out add the "welcome" portion from the Welcome Pom Pom Banner to the bottom and you are all set.
This is one of my favorite spots because it's where I get to meet with my students daily for small group. Using colorful vinyl I created spots for my students to work in. They can use a dry erase marker and write on it or simply use it to show them where their space is.
Students can't have all the fun. Be sure to organize your teacher space with items that keep the essentials at your fingertips from highlighters, pencils and correction tape to glue sticks and staplers. Having a tray to hold all the essentials is a must. I love this tassel tray because it reminds me of a hot air balloon and gives my desk some added color! This colorful room transformation will have your students soaring to new heights this year. Be sure to check out the DIY Hot Air Balloon Bulletin Board and Up and Away Reading Corner for more inspiration.
