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Decorate Your Science Notebook

Students receive their science notebooks and take the time to make them their own. 

After completing this activity, students will

• begin their use of science notebooks with a sense of personal ownership.
• familiarize themselves with routines around using their science notebooks.
• Blank science notebooks (one per student)
• Colored pencils
• Full or half-page blank printable stickers (for covers that aren’t a good drawing surface).
• Stamps and stamp pads

There are many benefits to sharing students’ science notebooks – both with teachers and with other students. However, it’s important to balance this public aspect of the notebook with the personal. If students view their science notebook as their own, the notebook will become more than simply a place to complete assignments for the teacher. It will become the student's tool for recording observations, reflections, and other thinking around science.

Giving students a chance to personalize their science notebooks by decorating the cover at the moment they receive the notebook is a great way to start building this sense of ownership. Take a look at these example covers to get an idea.

• Be sure to have a blank notebook for each student.
• Do some thinking about where students will be keeping their notebooks, and what routines you would like to have in place around retrieving them and putting them away.
• Begin the activity with notebooks in the location where they will live between science lessons.
• Gather all decorating materials. Depending on your students’ previous experience with the decorating materials you choose to make available, you may want to wait to hand them out/have students retrieve them after the introduction, along with their notebooks.
• (Optional) Put blank stickers on notebooks to create a drawing surface. You can also have students do this themselves.
• Before giving students their own notebooks, tell the whole class about the science notebooks and the types of activities during which they will use these notebooks.  
• Have an example available and show them that it’s blank inside, with a blank cover. Advise students that soon they will be setting up the inside of their notebooks, but today they are focusing on the cover and making their notebooks unique and identifiable!  
• If necessary, have students prepare their notebook cover as a drawing surface by using a half-sheet or whole-sheet sticker.
• Use any of the materials provided to label the cover of your science notebook with your name , and decorate the cover with any design or image.  
• Have students retrieve their notebooks from where they will be stored for the rest of the school year.  
• Circulate around the room to be sure that students are on task. Remind students that they can use any of the materials available.  
• Give students at least 30 minutes to label and decorate, making sure that all students have their name prominently written on the front cover.
• (Optional): Give students some time to ask questions about the notebooks in general. You may want to ask: Do you have any questions about when or how we will use this notebook? What do you think this notebook might be useful for when doing science or learning about science?  
• Have students put away notebooks in the same place, using the same routine that they will use throughout the year.  
• Additional Time: Your students may appreciate some additional time later in the year to add to their cover illustrations. Consider reserving class time for this, including access to all of the materials used.

Fulton, L. & Campbell, B. (2004). Student-centered notebooks. Science and Children, 42 (3), 26-29.

Students draw their idea of "a scientist doing science."

Students insert a Table of Contents, number the pages, and complete their first reflective entry.

Students peruse sample pages from the notebooks of many different scientists.

Attached Files

Science Notebook Corner

Learn how notebooks can help your students think and act like scientists.

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Science Classroom Decorating Ideas

Right now, the world is wide open for kids who love science. But if students don’t feel connected with STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, and math) by 5th grade, 92% of males and 97% of females will lose interest in these subjects. 

Educational decorations for the science classroom can help motivate kids to investigate the field of science — and excel in their learning. With stimulating designs and easy-to-read layouts, kids will be naturally drawn to observe the information presented on each visual display. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at science-friendly classroom decorating ideas that can inspire young minds to create research questions, design experiments, and master the fundamentals. Let’s dive right in!

Using the Classroom to Inspire a Passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

Teachers are constantly wondering: “How do I get my students to actually retain knowledge?” or, “How can I get my students to engage with this lesson?”

While lesson planning and meeting those key “learning outcomes” of a curriculum are important, every educator dreams of opening a student’s eyes to the beauty of a subject or watching the way their eyes light up when they finally , viscerally, connect the dots on a problem they were struggling to solve. 

It’s why many educators do what they do. 

But smart lesson plans are not the only way to accomplish this goal. In fact, a key component of supporting a student’s educational journey is through their learning environment — and the elements of a classroom’s design have a lot to do with that. 

Specifically, classrooms that support the best outcomes for their students include elements that support a learner-centered, knowledge-centered, and assessment centered environments.

[ Image Source ]

Here are the essential hallmarks of these three principles for an effective classroom design:

• Learner-centered: Environments that pay careful attention to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs that learners bring to the educational setting.
• Knowledge-centered: Environments that help students become knowledgeable by learning in ways that lead to understanding. Instruction focuses on understanding what students’ initial preconceptions about the subject matter. From here, it focuses on the kinds of information and activities that help learners develop a lasting understanding of disciplines.
• Assessment-centered: Environments that provide opportunities for feedback and revision. Assessments should be aligned with learning goals.

As it turns out, this is a significant benefit for both learners and educators. It means that the decisions that you, as the educator, make about the environment can make a huge difference for your students’ learning success.

On the other end of the spectrum, learners can feel empowered because these decisions about what to include in a classroom to support knowledge and assessment is “learner” centered. In other words, it’s about how students are responding and the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs that they bring to the environment.

“Research has found that learning environments play a crucial role in student success. Several factors can affect learning ability, including seating, light, noise, and even colour. Students who study in a positive learning environment have been shown to be more motivated, engaged, and have a higher overall learning ability.” — How Surroundings Affect the Way You Study , Ella Hendrix

Knowing this, educators like you can do a lot with powerful classroom decorations. And that’s especially important when it comes to STEM subjects — only 6% of seniors in high school pursue STEM subjects in college. While the need for quality scientists rises, the number of students who enter the field remains low.

However, science classroom decorations can help ignite a passion for the subject in a fun and highly accessible way. The more exposure students have to STEM at a young age, the more likely it is that they will contemplate choosing a science-related career as they mature.

4 Learner-Centered Science Classroom Decoration Ideas

Sproutbrite’s collection of vivid classroom posters will keep students thinking about scientific principles and facts while in the classroom. Students can observe the visual information presented in the decor from any seat in the room!

Here are some excellent posters you can use to decorate classroom walls and encourage young minds to investigate the world around them.

Stem Engineering Design Process - Science Poster Pack

When it’s time to introduce students to the scientific method, start with Sproutbrite’s Stem Engineering Design Poster Pack . This colorful pack of decorations uses fun, quirky robots to teach younger children the basic principles used to investigate the world of science.

These posters introduce STEM to elementary students using a kid-friendly and eye-catching design that makes science and engineering look fun. With unique characters and bright colors, students are bound to think about ways they can ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve things in the world around them.

Classroom Science Banner

When you need a more detailed description of the scientific method, look no further than the Classroom Science Banner . Sproutbrite designed this comprehensive visual display to provide students with essential steps for exploring research questions.

Not only does this set include an easy-to-read visual aid for the scientific method, but it also exposes students to other fundamental principles within science. The Science Matters Poster pulls information from the periodic table, which exposes students to five elements: Scandium, Iodine, Europium, Nitrogen, and Cerium.

Exposing students to these essential principles early on will increase a student’s interest in scientific discoveries!

#2: Celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Statistics indicate that most students lose interest in STEM topics without repeated exposure before 5th grade. Before science teachers can address this problem and inspire kids to pursue knowledge in the science classroom, students should know what STEM stands for.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math STEM Banner Pack

Students are exposed to STEM topics repeatedly throughout their education, but not everyone knows that the acronym refers to science, technology, engineering, and math.

This rainbow banner pack displays key tasks involved in STEM and uses fun words like “experimenting,” “achieving,” and “formulating” to entice students into classroom participation.

Sproutbrite’s STEM Banner Pack takes the visual display one step further by including pictures of tools associated with each category. Scientific instruments, rulers, microscopes — students can expect to use all of these items when exploring STEM topics during science lab experiments.

#3: STEM Principles with a Creative Twist

Students might be surprised to learn that art can be incorporated into STEM topics. Artistic individuals show creativity and imagination, two important traits to have when designing experiments and investigating hypotheses.

STEAM Banner Pack

A crucial part of learning science is imagining new ways to handle problems, exploring possible solutions, and engaging with materials to design experiments — which are all tasks related to art, too!

Sproutbrite’s STEAM Banner Pack puts a new spin on STEM topics by including Art as a prominent feature. The rainbow of colors encourages students to look and identify with different descriptive words. Every student can find at least one word that will spark an interest in science!

Use this vivid visual display to show students that science is a multidisciplinary study with tons of opportunities for creativity!

#4: Learning About the Solar System

Science isn’t just designing experiments and testing hypotheses — it’s also learning about space exploration and the universe surrounding us. Earth is full of unknowns, and there are potential scientific discoveries everywhere we look, but the universe holds trillions of planets just waiting to be discovered!

Solar System Classroom Banner Pack

Inspire your class to reach for the stars with this highly detailed Solar System Classroom Banner Pack from Sproutbrite. Students will love discovering facts about the planets and the innovative technology created by scientists to explore the Milky Way galaxy.

Each poster contains a wealth of information in a powerful, galactic display.

One poster demonstrates the planets’ positioning in our solar system, moons in each planet’s orbit, and asteroid belts. The second poster supplements the planetary alignment visual with detailed facts about each planet's discovery and atmospheric conditions.

The final poster in Sproutbrite’s Solar System Banner Pack covers innovative scientific space probes and telescopes that have propelled space discovery. Show students that science has a vast realm of possibilities, from investigating the smallest particle in the universe to discovering new stars in the galaxy.

Sproutbrite’s collection of posters, bulletin board kits, and classroom door decorations intended to enhance learning and the master of concepts in science classes. From the scientific method to the details of the solar system, these eye-catching visual aids will have students pondering science’s fundamental principles and ideas and approaching the world with a more inquisitive mind.

Classroom decorations are the ideal conduit for inspiring a passion for STEM subjects because they’re highly useful: at a glance, students can reference posters designed to reinforce their learning with the most essential and necessary concepts. The key is to make the basic ideas behind the scientific process come alive and allow them to feel more comfortable with these subject areas.

So whether you’re looking to decorate a science lab, a homeschool science center, or a STEM-themed classroom, Sproutbrite’s high-quality visual displays brighten up a student’s learning space and support memory retention.

Explore Sproutbrite’s collection of best-selling products to find more vibrant, easy-to-read, informational decorations to add to your classroom walls today.

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7 awesome science lab decoration ideas on a budget

by Katrina | Jul 25, 2022 | Science | 1 comment

As we head towards a new teaching year (for those in the States) or another term (for me in Australia), thinking about science lab decoration can bring on some anxiety as you think about how much money it is going to cost you. As a beginning teacher, I made the mistake of thinking I had to buy a lot of things to make my lab look awesome. Over the years, however, I have learned how to be creative in my use of resources in order to decorate the science lab without costing me too much money.

Grab a coffee and relax while I share my 7 top science lab decoration ideas on a budget!

Disclaimer: This blog post, ‘7 awesome science lab decoration ideas on a budget’, may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases. This is of no extra cost to you and it helps me to continue writing awesome content for you! Read full disclaimer here .

7 science lab decoration ideas on a budget

1. have students create artwork.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make displays or add colour to the walls.

Having students create pieces that also act as science lab decorations not only brightens the room, but also allows students to have a sense of ownership over the room. 

Some ideas are:

• Lab safety rules posters
• Hanging mobiles 
• Subject-specific posters e.g. animal adaptations
• Famous scientists posters
• Get to know me bunting (freebie below)
• Models e.g. solar system, animal vs plant cells.

2. Utilize freebies

There are actually a lot of great free resources available for science lab decorations. It is worth doing a search for free posters and displays on sites such as teachers pay teachers.

Here are a couple of freebies from me:

• All about me science bunting activity

This activity is great to start the year and get to know your class. Plus it adds to your science lab decorations as DIY bunting! 

• Science variables posters

Variables are always a tricky topic that students often get confused. These posters are perfect for reminding students all year round about the different types of variables.

And here are some awesome science lab decoration freebies from some of my teacher-author friends:

• What’s my grade posters – Beakers and Ink
• Rainbow Hand Signals Posters – The Focused Teacher
• Analysing Data Anchor Chart – The Science Cubby
• Science Posters Freebie – Brower Power Science
• Teacher Toolbox Labels Editable – North Texas Kids Outside

FREE All about me in science bunting

Enter your email address here and I'll send you a FREE copy of my 'all about me in science' bunting activity.

This is a great way to 'break the ice' with a new class in a non-threatening way!

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3. Use decorations that will be used every year

For example, if you decorate your classroom with lab safety posters like these cute ones, then these will be used all year every year and are a great investment for only a few dollars. While I don’t usually like to laminate products because they will outlive both me and the students, Idid make an exception for my lab safety posters as I use them all year every year. 

In the same way, investing in some great glass markers means you can draw on the windows and make new displays as much as you want to! 

Wood wallpaper or any wallpaper to fit your classroom theme is also a good investment as it can change the whole vibe of a instantly for minimal investment.

4. Utilize the resources your school has

Many school teachers have access to school supplies that can be used in creative ways as science lab decorations. Here are some of my favourite uses for common school supplies:

• Coloured paper and string can be used to make cute bunting
• A3 paper can be used to print large posters and images
• Butchers paper can be used for students to create posters for the walls
• Science equipment and specimens can be brought together for an awesome display
• Display student models or projects from previous years

5. Bring items from home

If you take a look around your home you might have some things that you want to get rid of that would actually make a nice addition to your classroom!

Think potted plants, cushions, fairy lights or photo frames you could put science pictures in.

Some things to think about when bringing in items from home:

i) be prepared that they might get stolen, lost, or ruined 

ii) if they require electricity ensure they meet safety standards

iii) if used in the lab make sure displays are far enough away from lab benches where chemicals or fire will be used. 

6. Ask about teacher discounts 

Local craft stores sometimes have a discount for teachers. It is always worth asking before purchasing. Some of my favourite places to grab a discount are:

• Eckersley’s Art and Craft 
• Educator marketplace

7. Visit the local dollar store

Don’t underestimate the difference some coloured streamers and backdrops can do for your lab. The party aisle has heaps of goodies for decorating a classroom! My favourite hack is using disposable coloured table cloths for bulletin boards. They are cheap, large and you can get them in almost any colour.

Science lab decoration ideas do not have to be expensive. Students will appreciate the effort and will enjoy being involved. 

What is your favourite science lab decoration hack? Please comment below!

I’d also love to hear if you try any of these in your classroom!

Best science lab decoration ideas on a budget

Written by Katrina

You really did a good job. The ideas are easy to execute.

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26 Ways to Decorate a Notebook

Are you the type of person who has to put your creative stamp on everything? Decorating notebooks  might just be your next obsession. Notebooks provide an easy way to create personalized supplies to use at school, work, or in your home office . The following ways to decorate a notebook cover are fun, creative, and easy DIY projects that anyone can do.

DIY Fabric Covered Notebook

This simple DIY dresses up an ordinary notebook with a fabric of your choice. Customize with a bold pattern or use something a little more subtle that still reflects your personality.

DIY Fabric Covered Notebook from The Spruce

Washi Tape Pencils and Notebooks

Washi tape and paper crafting just seem to go together. Attach strips of colored tape in rows onto the notebook cover, and you will have a journal that is pretty and one-of-a-kind. Wrap matching washi tape around pencils to coordinate with your notebook. Making a strong design statement has never been easier!

Washi Tape Your Pencils and Notebooks from Lia Griffith

Wood Notebooks

Cover a cheap notebook with some pretty self-adhesive faux wood vinyl. These notebooks almost look like real wood from far away. 

DIY Wood Notebook from Burkatron

Painted Notebooks

Dyan Reaveley covers notebooks with her fabulous painted designs. If you are artistic, take some inspiration from this DIY and paint beautiful notebook covers with your own creations. Experienced painters can use acrylic paints or watercolors to produce notebook covers that are real pieces of art.

Painted Notebook Samples   from Dyan Reaveley

Washi Tape Sticker Notebooks

Decorate your notebook with some DIY washi tape stickers. It's not as hard as you might think! Crystal from Hello Creative Family has a tutorial that teaches you how to design your own washi tape stickers for pennies. You'll never need to buy stickers and labels for your projects again.

DIY Washi Tape Stickers Decorated Notebooks from Hello Creative Family

Fabulous Notebook Makeovers

Decorate an ordinary composition book with cute leftover paper scraps and ribbon. Add some pens and you will be prepared for class! Just paste some coordinating scrapbook paper onto the cover and construct a pen holder with ribbon. Your notebook is now as practical as it is pretty.

Fabulous Notebook Makeovers   from  Little Birdie Secrets

Zentangle Inspired Notebook

Zentangle is the art of drawing repetitive designs with a thin-lined Micron marker. It takes a bit of practice to master the steps, but even the artistically challenged can produce lovely drawings following simple guidelines. This notebook cover inspiration features rows of doodle art, stamped feather clip art, a matching flower, and strips of paper in shades of turquoise and blue.

Zentangle Inspired Decorated Notebook from Miracle Art Inspirations

Embroidered Notebook Covers

Protect your notebook with a vinyl cover embellished with embroidered flowers. What a unique way to use your needlework skills!

Embroidered Notebook Cover from Creative Workshop Inspiration

Mini Memo Notebook

These small decorated notebooks are the perfect size to tuck into your purse. Print the free notebook cover template onto heavy-duty brown cardstock and cut it out. Wrap the cover around a small composition book and then decorate the spine. Such a pretty journal to jot down your thoughts on-the-go!

Mini Memo Book Covers from mmmcrafts

Monarch Butterfly Notebook

These monarch butterfly notepads are a craft your kids will want to help you create. Have them make a few extras for gifting to friends and family.

Butterfly Notebook   from Pink Stripey Socks

Monogram Journals

Monogrammed notebooks are a smart way to make a special present for your friends. They will think of you fondly every time they write in this journal.

DIY Mother's Day Monogram Journals from Willowday

Terrazzo Style Notebooks

Terrazzo is a material that has been used to make floors and walls since the 15th century. The compound has chips of marble, quartz, glass, or granite which give it a distinctive pattern. This notebook cover mimics that look. 

DIY Terrazzo Style Notebooks from Enthralling Gumptions

Small Pocket Notebooks

These cute pocket-sized notebooks are just the right size to pop into your purse. All you need are stickers, a stapler, and some colorful paper to make these sweet little books.

Craft It: Small Pocket Notebooks from White House Crafts

X's and O's Notebook

This decorated notebook cover was originally designed as a Valentine's Day gift, but it could work for any occasion. Make it as a favor for your next bridal or baby shower. Your guests will love it!

10 Minutes or Less: Valentine’s Day Notebooks from The Crafted Life

Mini Chalkboard Notebooks

You can find mini notebooks at any discount store, but the covers are usually ho-hum. Make them unique with chalk paint and a chalk marker. Attach some leather strips to the spine, and they look like they came from an upscale gift store.

DIY Mini Chalkboard Notebooks from brepurposed

Stitched Notebooks

Aren't these heart-shaped notebook covers just the cutest thing you have ever seen? Cut a heart-shaped hole into the notebook cover and glue your favorite paper design to the backside. Add some hand-stitching to the perimeter of the heart, and you are finished. How lovely!

DIY Stitched Notebooks from Pretty Life Girls

Decorated Notebooks for Back-to-School

Who says school notebooks have to be dull and boring? Label each subject with gold lettering, and attach the glittery paper to the spine for a glamorous new notebook.

DIY Notebooks for Back to School from Trinkets in Bloom

Vinyl Letter Notebooks

These notebooks have simple black vinyl lettering against a white background––proof that the design principle "less is more" can be pure elegance.

Vinyl Letter Notebooks from The Beauty Dojo

Leather Stamp Notebook

Sometimes we just want to label our notebooks rather than cover the front with elaborate decorations. Learn how to make and attach a simple leather tag to a moleskin notebook. This project is so chic, you'll want to make extras as gifts.

DIY Leather Stamp Notebook from The Merry Thought

Altered Books for Little People

Do you have small children in your home? Make them some house-shaped altered notebooks. Cut a notebook at an angle to mimic a roofline, then glue on small wooden shingles, kraft paper, and scrapbook tiles to finish the cover. The books are just adorable, and will quickly become your child's favorite! Adults will love them too.

Altered Books for Little People   from Kate's Creative Space

Woodgrain Heart Notebooks

Make this beautiful notebook cover from craft paper and woodgrain stamps. You can change out the red glitter heart for another type of sticker if you like––a woodland creature would be especially cute.

Woodgrain Valentine Notebooks from Damask Love

DIY Leather Covered Notebooks

The tutorial demonstrates just how easy it is to make a sturdy protective notebook cover from leather—it's just a matter of cutting a square of leather and wrapping it around your notebook.

DIY Leather Cover for Kimidori Project Notebooks from I Try DIY

Back-to-School Printable Notebook Stickers

Kids love to cover their school notebooks with stickers. Download these cute summer-themed stickers for free, then print them onto adhesive paper. The labels are much more beautiful than the pre-printed ones you buy in stores, allowing you to add your own unique touch to back-to-school supplies.

Back to School Printable Notebook Stickers from Design Eat Repeat

Personalized Notebooks

Bright colors and raised gold letters will take your plain Jane notebooks to the next level.

DIY Stationery Personalized Notebooks from The Things She Makes

Printable Composition Book Covers

Are you design-challenged but still want to make your school notebooks pretty? Damask Love offers two free printable composition book covers for download. All you have to do is print them out and glue onto your notebook covers. Instant style! It doesn't get any easier than this.

Printable Composition Book Covers from Damask Love

DIY Floral Paper Notebooks

Add some interest to your hardcover drawing notebooks with tape and floral paper. It brings a colorful, artistic, and feminine touch to your notebooks.

Notebooks with Interest  from Art Decoration and Crafting

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Tips for Decorating Your Science Classroom

It’s that time of year again! With the new school year right around the corner, many of us are dusting off those classroom shelves and beginning to prep our classrooms for a new crew of science students. Whether you’re new at teaching or a veteran teacher who’s been at this for a while, it’s always exciting to add a fresh spin to your classroom decorations. As you begin collecting classroom decor ideas, here are my favorite tips for decorating your science classroom.

Disclaimer:

Alright new teachers, this one is for YOU. I know, I know…it can be tempting, especially as a brand new teacher, to spend hours of time scrolling Pinterest and other social media channels looking for classroom theme inspiration and decoration ideas that will truly WOW your new middle school students. But let’s be honest, in your first years of teaching, your time and money are probably better spent elsewhere.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a well-designed classroom environment, but it feels important to start with one essential truth:

You DO NOT need a “Pinterest Perfect” classroom to be a good teacher.

As you are attending “new teacher” meetings and pouring through curriculum guides for the first time, I promise you — finding or creating the perfect classroom decorations isn’t worth the stress!! Alright, now that we’ve gotten that important PSA out of the way, let’s tackle my top tips for decorating your science classroom.

#1 – Pick A Theme Your Students Like

One of the best ways to captivate the attention of your students from day one is to pick a classroom theme that will appeal to your students. Are you students big fans of the Marvel movies? Do they love a particular book series? See if you can find a theme that is relevant and exciting to your students that you could use for your themed classroom decor.

#2 – Choose A Color Scheme

Choosing a few coordinating colors is a simple way to achieve a cohesive look throughout your classroom. Without a set color scheme, you run the risk of having a color explosion throughout your room, which can be honestly be too much visual information, especially for students with high sensory needs. Instead, choose 3 or 4 colors that work well together and stick with those.

#3 – Display Student Work

Student work. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to decorate a classroom. (Who doesn’t love that?!) Not only that, but seeing examples of their own work hanging throughout the classroom is a great way to boost student morale and help them feel like they have an important place within the classroom community. I recommend setting aside a bulletin board or a wall dedicated to hanging student work.

#4 – Bulletin Boards

Do you dream of putting together amazing science bulletin boards that cover important science concepts or student work? You’re not alone! I love a good bulletin board. Add some colorful bulletin board paper and carefully chosen posters and you’ve got yourself a winning board! If you need extra help, Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers are packed full of bulletin board resources and inspiration.

#5 – Paint The Walls

Let’s face it, the plain white walls of the the typical middle school classroom hardly communicate “welcoming classroom environment.” But look at it this way: that blank classroom is just a canvas waiting to be transformed into something new! Just imagine for a second that your classroom walls could another color. Maybe a soft relaxing blue? A happy yellow? Or perhaps just a single feature wall? Alright, I realize not every school district will allow this, but you’d be surprised how many will! All you need to do is ask.

#6 – Find Alternative Sources of Light

Be honest with me…Does anyone actually like fluorescent lighting? Personally, I think it’s a little harsh and uninviting. I prefer to find other light sources to use in my classroom. This can look like natural light from a good window, fun rope lights over a bulletin board, or a few strategically placed lamps. These alternatives to overhead lighting make for a much cozier environment.

#7 – Create Another World

What if entering your classroom was like entering an entirely new place? Your classroom could turn into a trip to the rainforest or an underwater ocean adventure! Everything from your wall space to your classroom door can be used to house these unique science classroom decorations. Using themed decor is a fun way to make a trip to science class feel a little extra special.

#8 – Decorate For Yourself

Let’s be honest – you spend way more time in your classroom than anyone else. I’m a pretty firm believer that if you’re going to spend 8 hours a day in a single room, you should love that room! Don’t be afraid to choose classroom decoration ideas that truly speak to you. If you prefer bright colors, go for it! If are a lover of neutrals or prints, have at it! Create a space that will help you as a teacher feel happy and relaxed. Trust me, that will benefit your students too!

#9 – Use Prints and Posters

Part of creating an educational environment is thinking critically about the items you choose to place on your walls. They should have meaning and value. For example, you may choose to hang a poster outlining your classroom rules or important classroom procedures. You might prefer to choose posters that have a “science specific” flare to them, such a periodic table or graphic posters of plant cells.

Here are a few of the poster sets I’ve loved using within my own classroom:

#10 – Anchor charts 

Anchor charts are one of my favorite creative ways to involve students in creating classroom decor. During your science lessons, work with your students to create anchor charts detailing some of the most important concepts from the unit. These charts can then be hung around your classroom as visual reminders to assist student learning. Some anchor charts might be applicable for the whole year, while others may change unit to unit.

#11 – Use Nature

We teach science after all! Using natural items is not only an easy way to decorate, but, depending on the items you choose, can be a great conversation starter as your work on building relationships with your new students. One year, I had a really cool hornet nest on a limb hanging from my classroom ceiling that my students LOVED to ask about!

Here are some other examples:

• Pressed leaves
• Indoor plants
• Skulls or other animal bones
• Slices of wood

#12 – Don’t Forget The Ceiling

If you are looking for different ways to display student work or classroom decor, don’t forget to use your ceiling! You’ll have ample space for hanging rope lights or 3D projects created by your students. There are so many things that can be hung from the ceiling to create a really cool 3D decorating experience.

#13 – Try a classroom pet

That’s right! Classroom pets can actually be part of your classroom decor (especially in a science classroom.) Having a classroom pet is fun and exciting for younger students and older students alike. Adding a small fish tank or pet turtle might be just the thing to take your science classroom to the next level.

Now, obviously you won’t need to use all of these tips for decorating your science classroom, but hopefully you’ll find two or three that really speak to you!

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Continue the discussion in my Facebook Group for Middle School Science Teachers or my Classroom Management Facebook Group .

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Related posts.

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OUTDOOR SCIENCE CLASS ACTIVITIES

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Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

Home » Crafts

How to Decorate a Notebook

Crafts Fusing Mothers Day Surface Design by Lynn Woll

Personalized journals make great gifts for people who love to jot down their thoughts and ideas. Learn how to decorate a notebook with fused fabric and purchased composition books. Mix up the fabrics, have some fun and make them yours! These are great gifts for just about everyone!

A little fabric and some creativity and you can decorate a notebook that is special for you or give as a gift!

• Composition notebook
• 1/2 yard fabric to cover the composition notebook
• 1/4 yard fabric for inside of the composition notebook
• 1 yard double sided fusible like Misty Fuse or Wonder Under
• Scraps of fabric or trims for decorations
• OPTIONAL: Fusible crystals
• Ironing board
• Teflon mat for fusing
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting mat

Instructions

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Did you make this project?

Please share a photo on Instagram and tag us @createwhimsy. We'd love to see your creations!

What are some other ideas to decorate a notebook?

You can use any type of notebook for decorating. Your preference is for spiral notebooks? Smaller or larger notebooks? Any size works with the same technique of fusing fabric to the cover.

• Use pieces of old embroidered linens to cover your notebook to make it special. Or maybe even cut up an unfinished piece of needlepoint that you discover at a thrift shop. This is the time to have some fun. Remember, nothing is precious. If you love it, use it!
• Can’t toss that last few inches of a special trim you used on special project? Find a way to incorporate it into your notebook cover.
• Did you or do you collect patches / badges? What a perfect way to highlight these special little pieces by putting them on display on the notebook you’ll use every day!
• Pull out some washi tape and make designs on the front cover. Or, colorful duct tape!
• Go through a favorite magazine and cut out some pictures that speak to you. Make a collage on the cover of a notebook and use modge podge to hold everything securely in place.

Who says notebooks have to be boring!

Browse through more projects to inspire creativity . You might also be interested in making a pen quiver that fits an Leuchttrum notebook,

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Former UN Under Secretary General Shevchenko, the highest-ranking Soviet ever to defect, has caused an even greater stir by...

READ REVIEW

BREAKING WITH MOSCOW

by Arkady N. Shevchenko ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1985

Former UN Under Secretary General Shevchenko, the highest-ranking Soviet ever to defect, has caused an even greater stir by coming out as a CIA-run spy. After letting the US know of his interest in defecting, Shevchenko was confronted with the counter-proposal that he stay in his post and pass on information about Soviet policy-making and UN communiques. He was about to turn down the proposal, Shevchenko says, when he realized that the CIA had him cornered: if he refused, they could expose him to the KGB. That part of the story has a decidedly sleazy tinge; but in any case Shevchenko accepted, unaware that his job would last some three years. Those years are depicted in taut spy-story style, with Shevchenko in terror of being caught on almost every page; yet there remain nagging mysteries about his personal life. That life--with a focus on his diplomatic career--is recounted in the central sections. Shevchenko shows the Soviet foreign policy establishment dominated by secrecy, timid bureaucracy, and the bending of policy to fit ideological needs. (He is particularly critical of the Kremlin for failing to maintain good relations with Russia's bordering giant, China.) The central figure, and stabilizing force, is Gromyko: a far-sighted man of great intelligence about whom we're vouchsafed much trivial detail (the building and floor he occupies, his cloistered habits) but also considerable information of interest and substance. It's illuminating to learn, for instance, how instrumental Gromyko was in the rise of Leonid Brezhnev, whose ultimate supremacy over Alexei Kosygin was assured in part by the foreign-policy initiatives he took under Gromyko's guidance. Withal, intermittent references to diplomatic hypocrisy and KGB surveillance don't add up to an explanation for Shevchenko's defection. The fault lies in the portrayal of Shevchenko's first wife, Lina--seen as the most materialistic of a very materialistic Soviet diplomatic society--who committed suicide after his defection. In Shevchenko's description of endless conversations about possessions and rank, there exists a gap that might explain his course. But that only makes the story still more fascinating. Espionage fans might skim the mid-section, but it's all worth attention.

Pub Date: March 1, 1985

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION

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