Getting your first teaching job can be exciting. But if you’re anything like me, the ink is barely dry on your contract when you’re already thinking about classroom setup.
- What should my theme be?
- Should the desks be in groups or in rows?
- What supplies should I buy?
- Where will I put everything?
It can be overwhelming. Luckily for you, I put together a free checklist to help you get your room set up. It’s everything you need to get set up before students walk through the door on day one.
With the checklist in your pocket and these seven steps, you’ll be able to walk into the first day of school ready to go.
Step 1: Classroom Setup Supplies Checklist (What’s Already in the Room?)
Depending on who was in the classroom before you, there might be some supplies left over. This is great, because even if they don’t exactly match your style, they’re things that you don’t have to buy!
Things to look for:
- Lined paper
- Markers
- Pencil sharpener
- Stapler
- Paper trays
- Books (if your classroom is expected to have a classroom library)
- Desks (student desks and teacher desks)
- Garbage can
- Recycle bin
Your school PTA or office might have a fund for classroom setup, so be sure to ask before spending any of your own money.
Pro Tip: Not every school has a recycling program, and so might not have a recycling bin. It’s something to ask about if you don’t see one in your classroom.
Step 2: Clean Your Classroom
Hopefully the teacher before you kept the room neat.
But maybe the room was used for summer school programs. And maybe the previous teacher left a partially-used shaving kit in one of the cabinets. (True story. Also, ew.)
My first classroom was a disaster.
Besides the aforementioned shaving kit, there were goldfish crackers in the desk drawer, baby clothes in the file cabinet, and this hot mess of a closet:
Even if your classroom looks neat and clean, it’s a good idea to run a cleaning wipe over high-touch surfaces like desk tops and doorknobs, just in case those areas haven’t been cleaned since Covid.
Step 3: Start Your Classroom Setup with Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards are one of the first things I like to set up in a new classroom.
More than just about anything else, bulletin boards set the tone for what kind of room – and what kind of year – this will be.
As you’re considering your back to school bulletin board decorations, consider using fabric instead of paper as a backing.
Not only does fabric look really classy, it also lasts longer and stays bright even after years of direct sunlight.
Step 4: Set Up Classroom Supply Storage and Organization
Now that your room is starting to look like a classroom, it’s time to decide where to put the supplies.
Hopefully you found a bunch back in step 1, and by now you’ve had a chance to order the other supplies you need.
(If you need some ideas on what supplies you might need or want, check out the room setup checklist, a free guide to getting your classroom set up before the first day of school.)
As you set up your classroom supplies, think about how students will be using them.
Frequently-used supplies like the pencil sharpener should be placed somewhere central that’s easy to get to.
Supplies that aren’t used as often can be tucked away in cabinets or arranged on side counters that aren’t as easy to get to.
Step 5: Finish Your Classroom Setup with Decor
An important part of classroom setup is remembering that you (and your students) are going to be spending most of your waking hours here for the next 10 months.
Some of the best advice I got was when I taught 8th grade ELA. My co-teacher said, “We want this to not feel like a classroom. We want it to feel like home, or like a place where they want to spend time.”
(We decorated our classroom like the beach that year. The next year, it became an enchanted forest.)
You don’t need to go all-out like we did (my co-teacher built a floor-to-ceiling tree in the back of our classroom), but your room should at least feel unified in its decorations.
One way to do this is to coordinate your bin labels, posters, binder covers, and bulletin boards.
There are plenty of classroom theme ideas out there, but I made a classroom decor set for the “calm cactus” theme. It’s full of soothing colors and soft illustrations, perfect for upper elementary or middle school classrooms where students still need support and enjoy a decorated classroom…but they’re over cutesy graphics and bright colors.
Step 6: Arrange Student Desks Right Before School Starts
I like saving this until the end, as close to the first day as possible.
Some schools have custodial staff who come in to clean the floors or the desks, and sometimes desks move around the school.
By waiting until the last minute (which I normally don’t advocate for), you’re saving yourself the effort and energy it takes to redo your seating chart for the seventeenth time because you lost two students and gained five more.
If you can, try to have one or two more desks than students on your roster. That way if someone moves in midyear, you’ll already have a desk for them.
Empty desks are also helpful if you need to give a student an alternate seat or provide a central location for paper distribution or collection.
Pro Tip: While you’re arranging student desks, take note of how much gum is (or isn’t) under them. Then during the year, if you find gum under the desks, you’ll have an idea if it’s old or new.
Step 7: From Classroom Setup to First Day Ready
Honestly, this step can take place while you’re waiting for step 6 and class lists to be finalized.
Some schools have the first day planned to the millisecond, whereas others leave it up to the teachers to decide.
If you have a team, talk to them about what events usually take place during the first day of school.
If you’re by yourself, plan a few icebreakers and get-to-know-you activities, along with time to unpack supplies and get a tour of the school.
You’ll want to make copies of your class list, a welcome letter for parents, emergency procedures, and the bell schedule.
When all of that is prepared, you’ll feel confident walking into school on day one.
And if you’re worried about forgetting something, I’ve got you covered. This free room setup checklist gives you a list of everything you need to prepare before the first day of school.
Still worried? Leave a comment below and I’ll help you out!
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F.A.Q.
The first step in classroom setup is taking stock of what supplies are already in the room. This helps you avoid buying things you already have and plan your budget more effectively.
It’s best to start classroom setup as soon as you get access to your classroom, ideally several weeks before students arrive. This gives you time to clean, organize, and adjust your layout.
Common classroom setup supplies include paper, markers, staplers, pencil sharpeners, storage bins, paper trays, and student desks. Some schools also provide classroom libraries and technology.
Yes, many teachers prefer to complete bulletin boards and decor early in the classroom setup process. This helps establish a theme and makes it easier to organize the rest of the room.
Desks should be arranged based on how students will use the space. Many teachers wait until just before the first day of school to finalize seating charts in case enrollment changes.
