What should each and every Kindergarten teacher know about start-of-the-year wall decor? More so, what wall decor remains on the wall all year long? Also, what wall decor remain on the wall year after year? Here is some Start of the Year Wall Decor Ideas.
Alphabet Wall Decor
First, you must have an Alphabet that connects to phonics skills. You will refer to it every day, multiple times a day. Place this in a prime location, especially in a place you know phonics instruction will take place. The first thing I place on my walls is alphabet wall decor.
If you get to select your alphabet, here are my suggestions. Look for an alphabet that shows the correct print for each letter. That letter q printed the wrong way doesn’t help little eyes. Also, consider an alphabet that shows an image to match the letter sound.
X for xylophone might look nice, but it is less meaningful than an X-ray or even a fox. I always look at the c, g, j, and s letters particularly. I also don’t like to see blends in my alphabet. No cheese for c for Shoe for s. I love alphabets that show both long and short vowels as well since we cover both in kindergarten.
Next, I take my alphabet and cut out die-cut stars using construction paper. Each week, I cover a new letter so I tape on a die-cut star to that letter. I don’t take it down or move it to the next letter.
Instead, I leave it up and build on each letter week after week until EACH letter has a die-cut star. This is helpful for any collaborative teacher who works with you so everyone KNOWS the letters you have covered so far.
When we start our phonics activity, we go over each letter we have covered and the sound it makes. Those stars become a huge help to me too!
Numbers Wall Decor
Next, I highly suggest adding a number poster to a wall. I love to use my number line close to my calendar because I teach most of my math skills during calendar time, so having this number support here is helpful.
Next, consider finding number posters that cover your specific standards. My specific state’s standards call for number recognition from 0-30 using numbers, ten frames, and base ten blocks. I also prefer number posters that are color coded for odd or even numbers. More so if they help with counting by 5s and 10s as well.
Since I also teach my students counting skills to 100, I need to include something visual to 100 as well. Obviously, I do not have the wall space to house 100 posters. I have separated 0-100 pieces I print, cut out, and tape up one number a day to create a long number line. That is helpful to cover MOST of my number sense standards in a fun way!
Shapes Wall Decor
Next, I highly suggest adding shape posters to your walls. Then, I include both flat and solid shapes on my wall. We also refer to a diamond as a rhombus in Kindergarten, although our preK curriculum states the term diamond. Look for the option YOU need. I love using the actual shapes as well as a real world image to connect element.
The shape posters is a great way to display images and shapes they will use all year long in the math skills as well as their writing skills. Shape posters most likely do not need prime real estate for your wall decor.
Word Wall Wall Decor
Lastly, I know you will need a great word wall! Now, in the past, I have made a word wall that included all the words I needed for the whole year. I love that because I put them up once and I am DONE. Additionally, my advanced students have more words to refer to than we have covered. This is so important for words like “eat” and “because” since most Kindergarten students can not spell them correctly. Having the words on the word wall is a great tool!
Finally, this year my team told me that we add the sight words that we cover each week to our word wall. I added these sight word headers ABC looking headers on my walls with extra space below each one. This will allow me space to add the actual sight words below each letter each and every week.
Classroom Reveal
Great advice, thanks.