So this week I've been in school.  It's shut but I'm taking the opportunity to move rooms (we've an NQT starting in Sept and I decided to put her in a room next to our department 'hard man' - it worked a treat for me when I was an NQT with children giving me the total run around!).  I'm moving from a triangular-shaped room (odd, but surprisingly, it works), into a standard box.  The walls are as blank as blank can be, so I took the time to start giving consideration to exactly what I should put on the walls.  There are loads of great posters and timelines on http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk (just search 'poster'), but as I've been sitting printing and laminating shed loads of brightly coloured posters, it's striking me that I should give this more than just cursory thought.  I know full well that there will be many times when my students are not switched on to the lesson (I go to lessons too, and I sometimes switch off!).  So, I'm thinking, why not take the time to really think about the kind of things I have on my walls so that it fires some imagination, or teaches them something even in that 'daydream'?  


I'm quite taken with the idea of a classroom that makes you smile as you walk in, and gives you lots to feast your imagination on.  I mean, how important is it that our students want to be in the room, and enjoy being in it?  So, I will admit, what I have already put up in the classroom is loads of pirate bunting, plus a mannequin in the corner, wearing full pirate regalia (I think it's going to give the cleaners a shock - it looks alive!) - see previous post below for the pirate-passion.  Already when I walk in it makes me smile... in a lovely childish way.  I imagine leaving with a party bag, with birthday cake wrapped in a napkin and a box of smarties (if you didn't go to birthday parties in the 80s and 90s, you'll have never experienced party bags at the end of the party - I loved them so much!).  If I can give the students that feeling - of fun, enjoyment, and just blooming well smiling, am I not half way there to creating a climate for learning?  I've already decided I'm also going to have a 'random object' box too.  My Dad used to do our assemblies when I was a kid (he's a vicar), and he'd always go everywhere with a box full of the most everyday but random things and my god, the assemblies were awesome.  From my Tinytears doll (was so proud when it got used in an assembly as THE baby Jesus), to some old twine from the boat (Dad sails too) everything provided a hook and way to engage our eager imaginations.  I want to to do that with my students.  


So, I'd love to hear anyone's suggestions for 'fun' and imaginative learning spaces (but with zero cost) - blog back if you've time: one line will do!