What Should Live on Your Classroom Walls?

WHAT’S NEW: As a longtime admirer of Alfie Kohn’s work, I set aside time to listen to the “Bad Signs” episode on his new podcast, Kohn’s Zone. In an effort to summarize the episode, the premise is that the posters with inspirational slogans, commonly seen in many schools, often reflect a forced positivity that overlooks structural barriers, essentially maintaining the existing power dynamics by implying that children are solely responsible for their own success or future.

Toward the end of the “Bad Signs” episode, Kohn said something that stuck with me: “The decor may speak volumes about the theory and the practice of the kind of instruction in that school.” While most teachers don’t have much say over the messages in the public spaces of the school, it made me realize that teachers can ask themselves, “How do I decide what goes on my classroom walls?”

WHY IT MATTERS: Classroom posters and signs shape the learning environment by guiding students, reinforcing key concepts, and making expectations visible. Thoughtful signage empowers students to be independent, fosters a sense of belonging, and ensures that the classroom reflects and supports the values and goals of both teacher and learners.

CORE BELIEFS: I have written extensively about classroom signage, and I hold several guiding principles on the topic.

• Accessibility: Signs should be accessible to all students, which may mean including visual supports, multiple languages, or simple icons for emergent readers and multilingual learners.
• Anchor Charts as Signage: Anchor charts can serve as dynamic, living signage that supports instruction and student self-regulation.
• Co-creation: Signs are often co-created with students to foster a sense of ownership and enhance their understanding of the meaning behind them.
• Purposeful Signage: Classroom signs should serve a clear instructional purpose, helping students become more independent and reinforcing key routines, expectations, and concepts.
• Student-Friendly Language: Signage should use language students understand, supporting them in navigating the classroom and their learning processes.

WHAT’S NEXT: As you look around your classroom, consider how your signage can continue to evolve to meet the needs of your students and showcase the vibrant learning community you’re building together. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to evaluate your classroom signage:

Purpose and Intentionality

• How do I decide what goes on my classroom walls?
• Does each sign serve a clear instructional purpose?
• Would a visitor to my classroom get an accurate sense of my instructional priorities based on my signage?

Accessibility and Inclusivity

• Are my signs accessible to all students, including those who are emergent readers or are learning English as an additional language?
• Do I use student-friendly language on all signs?

Student Engagement and Ownership

• Have I co-created signage with students to foster ownership and understanding?
• Are anchor charts and other signs supporting student independence and self-regulation?

Alignment with Beliefs

• Do the visuals and messages on my walls accurately reflect my beliefs about teaching and learning, or are they merely a display of forced positivity?

THE BOTTOM LINE: Classroom signage is more than just decoration. It reflects our values, instructional priorities, and commitment to student learning. By being thoughtful about what we display and involving students in the process, we create an environment where every sign serves a purpose and every learner feels seen and supported.

GO DEEPER:

• “Bad Signs” on Kohn’s Zone
• Creating Classroom Environments: Starting the Year with Empty Walls
• Finding Accessible Fonts for Classroom Use
• Interactive Charts
• Simple and Functional Classroom Design