In-class learning is not only dependent on how the teachers teach, but also on the surrounding environment. For instance, a 2016 research paper shows that students learn better when their classroom has views of trees. And it is not just the space outside the classrooms that matters here. The interiors of the classrooms are vital too.
School children will feel more eager and interested to learn in a classroom that has a fresh look. Older classrooms do not give the same vibe to them as the new ones do. Thus, once every few years, schools need to renovate their old classrooms and give them fresher looks.
If you are running a school, and wondering how you too can do the same for your students, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss 5 simple steps for renovating your school’s classrooms. Doing so will help give them a new and appealing look.
Table of Contents
#1 Look for Damaged Walls, Ceilings, or Floors
Before you can start renovating, you first need to identify the areas that need fixing.
Start by checking the walls. Look for cracks and other forms of damage. See if any part of the wall gets damp. Do the same for the ceilings. Then check the floors. See if they feel uneven or have cracks developing on them. Stomp the floor a few times with your feet to see if the tiles or plaster covering the floors break or pop out.
These areas require a lot of time to renovate. In many cases, you will have to break and rebuild the wall or floor entirely. Fixing them will not suffice. Hence, this should be your priority. It takes more time to check and renovate these areas. So handle them first before you move on to something else.
#2 Repaint
Once you renovate the walls and ceilings, paint them. Choose an attractive color. However, make sure it is suitable for a classroom.
For junior classes, pick bright but flashy colors like yellow or sky-blue. The rooms for senior classes can have light colors and shades like white or maybe light grey. Avoid using dark colors like red, violet, or pink. Although appealing, these colors will make the rooms look dark. It will become hard to run academic activities in such classes. You will also need to install more lighting in such rooms.
#3 Bring in New School Furniture
Pick some new school chairs and tables for the students and the teachers. Stackable chairs for schools are very popular right now. So you might want to look into those. Apart from being durable, these chairs are comfortable as well. Besides, they also have a simple yet elegant look to them. You should opt for these school chairs if you are going for a modern and sleek look for the classrooms.
You can also install shelves or lockers inside the classes if you want. Steel would be the appropriate choice for lockers, while wooden shelves would look best inside a classroom.
#4 Bring in New Accessories and Technology
A new whiteboard would suit the new classroom walls best. However, you can always clean the old one properly and install it as well. For new technology, you can check what your classrooms were missing for the last 4 or 5 years, and install them accordingly. Maybe you did not have a smartboard or a projector before, or perhaps you want a new fire alarm or smart classroom doors. Now is your chance to install all those things in your school.
#5 Fix a New Classroom Layout
You have your classroom chairs and tables, and all the other accessories are in place. Now you have to decide on a layout for the classroom. It should be such that it can accommodate all the students in your class. At the same time, the classroom space needs to feel a bit open. After all, you do not want to suffocate your students by putting in more stuff or having a compact seat arrangement.
Place each classroom chair at an equal distance from the other. With COVID lurking around, you might want to double the usual distance between two chairs. Students should have a clear view of the board, even if they are sitting in one corner of the room. Also, there needs to be an adequate amount of overhead lighting for each student.
Once you are done with all this, your school classrooms will have a new and fresh look. Kids will love coming to school and doing their classes in this new environment.