2013-2014 High School Math Classroom Decorations

Today I want to share pictures of my 2013-2014 high school math classroom decorations.  If you’ve seen my pictures from last year, you will notice many of the same elements in different places.  I tried to reuse as much of last year’s stuff as possible while still creating all new bulletin board designs.

High School Math Classroom Decorations

My goal is to create a welcoming, colorful, and organized math classroom.  One of my students from last year came by to visit earlier this week.  When she walked into my room, she exclaimed, “You redid your room!  And you made it even MORE colorful.  I didn’t even think that was possible!”

My Problem Solving Posters from last year have found a new home underneath my Smart Board!

This bulletin board is right outside my classroom door.  The poster at the top is from the dollar section at Target!

I reused my When you enter this classroom… door decoration from last year, but I added a cute polka-dot border window cling that I found at Dollar Tree.

The Wall of Pride bulletin board is based on a photo I saw on pinterest.  The idea behind this bulletin board is that students are allowed to post anything that they are proud of.  Last year, I had lots of students bring me pictures they had drawn.  This year, I wanted to have a designated place to hang these.  And, I’m hoping that students will post other things that they are proud of as well.

 Of course, my room would not be complete without my University of Tulsa flag!  

I’m pretty excited about this pink cart!  I picked it up at a yard sale this summer for $10.00.  If you look closely, you will see that it still has the labels from the previous owner.  I haven’t exactly got around to changing them yet.  This cart holds notebook paper, graph paper, protractors, bingo chips, index cards, and other random stuff that needs a home in my classroom.  

I also picked up these two basketball net shaped trashcans this summer.  My students were very quick to notice these and get excited!   

Mini-Trash Cans to use when we are cutting lots of little things out.  I’m hoping that if I set these on the tables, students will throw their trash in these instead of the floor.  

I’m trying out a new system for absent work this year.

Handy Dandy Magnetic Holders for My Dry Erase Board

New and Improved Dry Erase Grid.  I did a terrible job of keeping last year’s grid updated.  I’m hoping that since this one has less information, I will be more apt to change it on a daily basis.  

Every day, I write the date as a math problem.  My students HATE this.  This year, I am also posting a holiday each day.  I found an Internet site that lists all of the crazy, wacky holidays and what day they are on.  So, each day, I pick the most interesting one and post it for my students.  I’m still not sure how many students have actually noticed this.  I have had a few conversations with students who were extremely confused about why the board said “Sneak some zucchini onto your neighbor’s porch” day.  

For the Quote of the Week, I am using quotes I have already printed and laminated!  These quotes are stored in the back of my absent work box for easy access.  I’ve learned that there are never enough hours to get everything done in your classroom so it is important to make things as easy as possible on yourself.  

Here’s a look at my right hand wall upon entering my classroom. You can download the number line poster I have hanging on the wall here.

I downloaded and printed these great posters of the Standards of Mathematical Practice in kid-friendly language from Everybody is a Genius. 

Supply Table at Back of Classroom with Wire Organizer

Mini Dry Erase Boards – These are the most used item in my classroom!

Dry Erase Markers and Erasers (The foam hair rollers work remarkably well!)  

Glue Sticks and Scissors

Highlighters and Markers

Rulers

A box of colored pencils for each set of desks

Pascal’s Triangle Bulletin Board – Last year, my college algebra students searched for patterns in Pascal’s Triangle and attempted to design their own triangle.  I laminated their results.  

You can download these Truth Signs posters from my blog.

Bookshelf at Back of Classroom

Filing Cabinets

The Window of Calculators

Projects from last year that I couldn’t bear to throw away

My Wall of Windows

My Mom started this plant for me.  I wonder how long it will take me to kill it???  Let’s just say gardening and plant-tending is not one of my skills.  

Assignment Turn In Tray

One of the free posters I got in the mail this summer

More Math Posters. I wrote a post about places that will send you free math posters for your classroom.

Calculators Bulletin Board

My Growing Collection of Mathematical Toys

Welcome Sign Above Smart Board (And a reminder of which way is left and which way is right…)

Star Students Bulletin Board – Students will have their name written on a star if they score an 85 percent or above on a chapter test.  Their name will remain up there until their next chapter test.

 Here’s one last picture to show you the view from the front of my classroom.