This school year marks my 20th year in education with 18 of those being in kindergarten. Over the years, I have learned how to design my space so that it is organized and functional for both me and my students. My goal is to create an inviting space with purposeful classroom decor that adds just the right amount of color without being over-stimulating. I’ve also learned what things in the classroom are necessary as well as things I can do without. In this post, I’m sharing my Kindergarten Classroom Setup Must-haves.
1. Calendar & Place Value Poster
Calendar time is one of the most important parts of our day. Not only do students learn the days of the week and months of the year, but they are also exposed to concepts of number sense.
A hanging flip calendar is a must! Never worry about changing the date again. This is available in the Watercolors Hanging Flip Calendar shown above or in the Composition Notebook Style Flip Calendar shown below. You may also print this Black and White Flip Calendar onto the paper color of your choice to match your classroom theme. I use an adjustable magnetic white curtain rod from Amazon.
Our Days of School Place Value Poster helps my students master number composition and making a ten. This is also available in a Watercolors Place Value Poster or Composition Notebook Place Value Poster. It has truly been a meaningful addition to this focus board. Each Day, we change the number and students give me equations that equal the number of the day. They learn to use the Number Line and Place Value Cubes as visuals to create number sentences. It’s amazing what they learn if you start this process on Day 1!
2. Alphabet
In addition to the calendar components, an alphabet is another essential for any primary classroom. These Realistic Photograph Alphabets are aligned with the Science of Reading and look amazing!
3. Birthdays
Next on the list is a Birthday Bulletin Board. Here are two of my favorites. Simply print, laminate, and attach mini-clothes pins with your students’ names and birthday.
4. Shapes Posters
Create another purposeful display using my 2D and 3D Shapes Posters. These align perfectly with our geometry unit in Math, and my students reference them often.
5. Number Posters
Similar to the shapes posters, Number Posters provide environmental print that my students refer to especially when forming numbers independently.
6. Large Crayons Color Word Wall
Adding to the list of meaningful print around the classroom, these Jumbo Crayons will not disappoint. My kindergarteners love referencing our Color Word Wall in their daily writing. The extra large size makes the words visible from their seats.
7. Classroom Library
I highly recommend creating a cozy book nook for your classroom library. My dad build these rain gutter book shelves for me a few years back, and this has become my favorite part of my classroom.
I display my We Put the Kind in Kindergarten Varsity Letter Bulletin Board here, and it’s one that I can leave up all year!
8. Affirmation Station
An Affirmation Station adds a nice touch to the classroom and promotes positive self-talk. These wall mirrors are fairly inexpensive on Amazon or at your local Walmart. Print, laminate, and decorate your mirror for an instant affirmation area.
9. Organization
Now that we have all the decor in place, let’s move on to my favorite organization pieces for a primary classroom. I want to note that these items are more costly than the printable decor. They are also not necessary for brand new teachers. Rather, these are things I would recommend investing in over time or adding to your Amazon Teacher Wish List.
Chair Pockets
Since I have tables without storage in kindergarten, these Seat Sack chair pockets have been a life saver. They store my students’ pencil cases and folders. Everything is organized and out of the way so that the kids have room to work!
Bins, Baskets,and Caddies
Really Good Stuff is my go-to for all things organization. They are pricier than others I have had, but they LAST. Some of these bins and baskets are over ten years old! Check out some of my favorites below. You can save $10 off $50 with code KORNER10 (affiliate link).
These Neon Picture Book Bins organize all of my fine motor materials and the Peach Book Bins organize my large picture books.
These Book and Binder Holders shown below work perfectly for storing my kids’ ipads.
I use these Neon Baskets for storing my math manipulatives.
The Blue Bins on top of the cupboards pictured below hold miscellaneous materials, and the Neon Paper Baskets organize my writing and craft paper.
10. Classroom Furniture & Carpets
Round out the list of my Kindergarten Classroom Setup Must-haves are my favorite furniture pieces and classroom rugs. As I mentioned with the organization pieces, these are things you will accumulate over time.
The photo below shows some of my favorite furniture including a large rocking chair that was gifted to me by my first class. I purchased the small rocker at a garage sale for $5 and had that, along with an old stool, painted to match. The stage was built by two seniors at our high school as their Senior project for woodshop class. I purchased the IKEA Kallax white bench last year with a gift card. Last, I purchased the pink alphabet rug with an end of the year gift card from my class to Amazon and I used my TPT earnings to cover the difference.
If you are at the beginning of your teaching career, remember that good things take time! It took me years to get my classroom to look and function like it does today. I try to add something I need each year like the bench or bookshelves, and I always do it on a budget. Shop the deals and discount stores, accept donations, and create your Amazon Wish List.
You can find the all printable classroom decor featured in this post in my Watercolors Classroom Decor Bundle or my Composition Notebook Classroom Bundle. These bundles contain all the purposeful decor shown in this post at an affordable price.
Overall, I hope you found this information helpful and inspiring. If you use any of my decor in your own classroom, I would LOVE to see a picture. I wish you the best of luck in your classroom setup.
