# @edutopia on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CvpSVlesq6h
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/8179012-edutopia-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/0ce8b2b273.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-08-07T13:30:13.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Edutopia (@edutopia) — https://gondola.cc/edutopia

## Caption

Heavily decorated classrooms can feel overwhelming for students, bombarding them with too much visual information and interfering with their memory and ability to focus, research shows. ⁣⁠
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This doesn’t mean your walls need to be entirely empty—there are still plenty of opportunities to create a warm, welcoming classroom. A good rule of thumb, say a team of U.K. researchers who analyzed 153 classrooms, is to keep 20 to 50% of available wall space clear, and decorate the rest with an uncluttered assortment of meaningful items. ⁣⁠
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Here are a few guiding principles we gathered from the research:⁣⁠
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🎨 Display student work: This will help kids feel a greater sense of responsibility for their learning—and prompt them to remember the material. ⁣⁠
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⭐ Feature inspiring role models: Putting up images, stories, or quotes that feature heroes and leaders can help students feel a greater sense of belonging and aspiration, especially when their own backgrounds and interests are represented. Avoid token or stereotypical representations though, they can damage students’ self-esteem. ⁣⁠
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📊 Use visual aids: Anchor charts, maps, and diagrams that reinforce lessons can boost student learning, but remember to remove ones that are no longer relevant. ⁣⁠
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📌 Avoid displays of student scores or grades: These types of data walls can backfire for struggling students, causing them to feel ashamed or demoralized. ⁣⁠
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☀️ Let in natural light: Research shows that exposure to natural light in classrooms can boost performance, so keep windows clear of decorations—unless there’s a problem with glare or outside distractions. ⁣⁠
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🖌️ Balance wall colors: No need to stick with four white walls. Try painting a single feature wall in a bright color, keeping the rest muted. ⁣⁠
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Check out link in bio for the full article. ⁠
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#TeacherTips #BackToSchool #TeacherTip #TeacherClassroom #ClassroomDecor

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## Tags

teachertips, classroomdecor, teacherclassroom, backtoschool, teachertip

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