Early educators know that classroom decorations are a fundamental part of the education experience for their students. Cheerful fall decorations help to illustrate the changes occurring in nature as the seasons shift from summer to fall. These helpful classroom decorating ideas will help take the work out of planning your classroom décor.

Bring in Beauty

Children are naturally attracted to all things beautiful. Autumn, with all of its wonderful colors, shapes and patterns, is easy to bring into the classroom. Starting with red, orange, yellow, green and brown construction paper, cut out giant leaves that can be used as classroom decorations all around the room. Tape them to the windows, hang them from the ceiling, or make a border out of them. Smaller leaves can also be strung together to make a colorful garland as a bulletin board border.

Bring in Nature

Many of the most wonderful fall classroom decorations are found outside. Natural treasures, such as seeds, acorns, nuts, leaves and pine cones, are all easily and enthusiastically gathered by young children. A mini field trip around the school yard will provide all the necessary materials for creating a special nature table or making a construction paper wreath and gluing these beautiful items to it. The best part about using natural items for classroom decorations is that they're free!

Fall Bulletin Board

The bulletin board is often the focus of lessons in the classroom, as well as being a visual focal point. Since trees play such an important role during the fall, why not create a bulletin board set that illustrates different types of trees? The variety of leaf shapes found in nature is a fascinating theme on its own, but when mixed with the bright colors of autumn, it can be especially interesting subject matter.

Harvest Decorations

Autumn is also the time for harvesting the last of the summer garden crops. Classroom decorations that center on late summer crops such as corn, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins are fun for students to make from clay, play dough, or even cut out of construction paper. They symbolize the bounty of harvest time, reminding children that the earth is rich and abundant, and these decorations can be placed on tables and window sills as fall-themed classroom decorations.

Decorating with Gourds

Gourds and winter squash are perfect as classroom decorations. They are colorful, interesting to look at, inexpensive, last a long time, and can handle a little abuse too.

Used as accents around the classroom, gourds and winter squash brighten up work stations and can also serve an educational purpose as well. Set up a work station where students measure the circumference of a small pumpkin or estimate the weight of a gourd before actually weighing it on a small scale.

Classroom decorations for fall should be fun, interesting and interactive. The best classroom décor enhances the learning environment for both teacher and students. These tips for fall decorating are sure to make your classroom a haven for inspired learning and seasonal appreciation.

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