Front Board Fun: Simplifying Classroom Walls for Better Learning

Hey there, teacher besties! Today I’m sharing how using my front chalkboard as a rotating content display has upped engagement and kept my walls looking clean.

We all want our classrooms to be warm, inviting, and visually appealing for our students. However, sometimes in our attempt to decorate our walls, we can unintentionally create a cluttered and overwhelming environment that can hinder student learning.

I thought about attaching a picture of my walls from my first few years, but it is just too embarassing. Not only is everything posted and the entire wall covered, but the clashing bright colors are a nightmare!

Today I want to discuss why simplifying classroom walls is important and provide some practical tips to help you determine what should be a permanent fixture on your classroom walls and what can be rotated or stored away.

Why Simplifying Classroom Walls is Important

First and foremost, simplifying your classroom walls can help your students focus on the task at hand. When there is too much visual stimuli in the classroom, it can be difficult for students to concentrate on what you are teaching. By simplifying your walls, you create a more calming and focused environment that is conducive to learning.

You are making a conscious effort to prioritize the most important information for your students. Rather than overwhelming them with information that may or may not be relevant, you are presenting them with the information they need to be successful.

How to Determine What Should Be on Your Classroom Walls

Now that we’ve established why simplifying classroom walls is important, let’s dive into a practical tip to help you determine what should be a permanent fixture on your classroom walls and what can be rotated or stored away.

Ask yourself, “Will students need to refer to this frequently throughout the year?”

If the answer is yes, then it’s likely that this information should be a permanent fixture on your classroom walls. For example, I teach departmentalized reading, so my class is constantly inferring how characters throughout our units feel. One of my permanent staples is an illustrated character feelings chart. My students are trained to use this and will walk-over mid-lesson to find a feeling that matches the character.

A Fun Tip for Your Front Board

How do I display anchor charts and information when introducing a new concept? I use my front chalkboard! The content stays up as long as I need it to (usually weekly) and then I switch it out for our new concept. Only some anchor charts make it to my permanent wall display.

This is a great way to showcase important information or learning goals without cluttering up your walls. Some examples of what you can display on your front board include:

• A weekly learning goal
• Vocabulary
• Anything you would put on a anchor chart
• Examples of the concept/skill paired with a text

By rotating this display weekly, you are creating a fun and interactive way for your students to engage with the material without overwhelming them with too much information.

Check out some of my boards below and follow me on Instagram to check out my weekly front board posts! (You can find me @Adrienne_Teaches)