Greet students at the door in the morning. Nothing says you are happy to see them like a big smile and greeting as they walk in.

An organized, efficient, inviting classroom library is a beautiful thing. 

Here is one quick and easy way to provide another seating option for students. 

Providing limited choice may help some students be successful. 

Classroom environments send a clear non-verbal messages to students and are worthy of our time and attention. Here are four things to consider. 

Physical distancing makes a huge impact on our classroom design. We pulled this design tool from our archives to help with planning. 

These exercise balls provide alternative seating and have many benefits.

Being creative in the classroom can help students find their most comfortable reading space.

These must see pictures of Patrick Desrocher's classroom may be the inspiration you need to do a little redecorating.

This library makeover took place in a local middle school.  

This simple do-it-yourself idea is great for Word Work and Word Walls.  

Want to create a library system that students can manage independently? This one has worked in all grades. 

Our file cabinets serve three main purposes.

Students designed these labels for the classroom library.

These three simple considerations will help you decide what is and isn't still worthy of being in your classroom library. 

A few tips to break it down, and make it less overwhelming.

Get practical tools to help students manage their emotions and refocus.

Use this lesson to introduce the concept of respectful communication to your students. Get a choice of six printable posters.

Establish a conducive and engaging learning environment, foster effective communication and active participation among students.

Freshen Up Your Classroom with Free Nameplates!

International Day of Happiness is next week. Download one of these printables to get to know students better.

Try this idea to add more kindness to your classrooms!

Consider these key aspects when assessing and cultivating a positive emotional climate in your classroom.

Want your classroom library to be the heart of your room? These six steps will help. 

Print off one of these menus to help your students remember the strategies they have been taught.

Now is the time to take first steps toward designing a classroom space that best supports students and their learning. 

Meet Steph!

We streamed a first-grade classroom setup live via Facebook. Did you miss it? Don't worry, you can watch it again and again right here.

Here are some ideas for organizing the teacher space so it will work for students too.

Take a look at how teachers in one Michigan district set their classrooms up and review the 7 components that we think are most important/essential. 

Our rooms leave a powerful first impression. But what about the doors leading into them?

Janet Scott shares some options for making the best use of small spaces for small groups and one-on-one conferring. 

Give students opportunities to refresh and enjoy their learning environment.

What are the priorities when it comes to classroom organization?

Creating a brain-based classroom design is a powerful way to support learners of all types, increase engagement and motivation, and much more. 

Here is a systematic way to set up or reconstruct your room. This system really works for us, and we think it will help you as well.

Whether you are mentally or physically setting up your classroom for a new school year or rearranging during a current school year, you may be inspired by the variety of seating options featured here. 

Discover two simple ways to get items you need for your classroom.

What do you do when students want to choose the same spot to work? 3 ideas to help you out. 

Kelly Yahr takes us on a tour of some of her favorite classroom solutions for supporting student learning.

Besides adding beauty, plants in the classroom have proven health benefits. 

Having many options ensures students can choose well each and every time. 

Every student deserves a learning environment where he or she feels comfortable and can excel. Today we introduce a new series to challenge ourselves to create one.

Rethinking your system for how and when you collect interesting words may help turn your students into Word Wizards. Trish shares six ideas.

Watch as Ms. Anderson walks us through the thoughtful design choices that make her space both functional and inviting for students. Get inspiration for your classroom!

Step into this fourth-grade classroom with us to see what Prepared Classroom looks like when it is up and running.

Watch as Kid Teacher Hadley teaches SPACE at home.

Create an environment where all students can thrive with five actionable strategies.

Implement five actionable strategies to build a positive classroom climate.

This idea might be one you could use. Take a look!

Take a look at a quick and interesting way that one teacher takes the temperature in her room on how students are feeling.

Peek inside Janet Scott's K-2 Intervention Room with Janet and Gail Boushey to see how it's set up and reflect on possible improvements.

Looking for ideas to make end of year classroom library maintenance efficient and collaborative?  Take a look at these simple suggestions. 

Teach students to find a good fit spot to work. Share this video with students and download a poster.

Download a form to use when learning student name pronunciation. 

The look and the feel of our classrooms have evolved as we've learned how to best build stamina and independence in students.

If you agree that movement is important, see how classroom design can help.  

Do I really need a robust classroom library? The answer is yes! Read on to find out the why.

Build your classroom libraries while parents are spring cleaning! Take a look at a few steps to get started. 

Watch this creative idea from Karen Shannon.

Download our new I PICK poster and hang it up in your room and library! 

Read this before planning your getting to know you activities. 

By popular demand, printable Spanish CAFE headers! 

Clare Landrigan graciously allowed us to crosspost this recent article and video from her website. Instructions and a template included. 

Five environmental things can be tweaked to ensure students thrive in our classrooms.

Evaluate how you can boost the welcome factor of your classroom and school with this two-video set.

Here is a list of secondhand finds that can become classroom treasures.

Add interest with creativity and found objects.

This easy idea can be a source of valuable information and raise accountability in your classroom. 

Here are some clever way to prepare for a new school year.

 Five fundamental components, when put together, lead to the essential elements of trust and respect.

Heather, a fourth grade teacher, has embraced the concept of community supplies and has graciously agreed to give us a tour.

Joan and Gail turn Carrie's desk from a place of disorder to a lovely workstation for Carrie and her students. 

In our quest to support our Spanish speaking teachers, parents and students, we would like to introduce you the CAFE Menu translated into spanish.

Shannon Campbell shares some alternative seating options for her fifth-grade students with Gail.

 If you want to add a touch of warmth and respect to your classroom, you might want to try this simple and effective idea.

Setting up a classroom quickly and with minimal clutter and visual noise provides time to focus on other important work. 

The bulletin boards in our classrooms used to look like a kaleidoscope of activity causing high visual noise for students. Here is how our rooms look now.

Shannon Campbell just may have you searching for a chandelier.  Here is why!

When students walk in the door they will experience a room ready for their learning.

Follow these simple directions to make your own lamp.

These 5 essentials can help transform a room.

Simple choices can make our classrooms calm, inviting places to learn. 

Using the power of sound. 

Spring Cleaning isn't just for home.  Here are some tips for spring cleaning in the classroom.  

Student artwork has the power to transform our classrooms.

Two teachers share how they revamped their rooms after attending a live workshop with The 2 Sisters.

Here is a great idea for keeping notebooks organized and functional. 

Learn about the wise Ellin Keene and why we love her.

Here's a classroom hack that makes labeling shelves a cinch. 

Julie Ahrendson shares how personalized writing notebooks inspire her students to write.