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Classroom Tour: A Peek Inside my 5th Grade Classroom

Update: For a more recent classroom tour, check out my recent Youtube video!

Two years ago I switched schools and moved into a brand new (to me) classroom! Although I’ve posted many pictures of my room on my Instagram account, I haven’t done a classroom tour blog post yet, so I figured I’d round up some of my favorite classroom photos over the last two years to give you a closer peek into the space I spend most of my days during the school year! I rearranged a few things during these past couple years (got rid of my teacher desk, moved our small group table and mailboxes, etc.), but hopefully these pictures give you a general idea of my classroom environment! I’ve also included some affiliate links to help you easily find the resources I use and love in my classroom!

A classroom tour of Lessons with Laughter's colorful, 5th grade classroom
A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom

A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom

Classroom Library

Our classroom library is my favorite part of the classroom! You can read more about my classroom library and how it is organized in my post here!

Colorful classroom library organization ideas from Lessons with Laughter
Colorful classroom library organization ideas from Lessons with Laughter
A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom

Classroom Stage

After visiting the Ron Clark Academy, I just knew I had to get a stage in my classroom! I had a wonderful parent of a student volunteer to build one for me and my students absolutely LOVE it! They have lots of opportunities to stand on the stage and teach the class and share their learning!

A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom
A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom

Small Group Area

This school year I got rid of my teacher desk and moved our small group table where my desk used to be! I meet with small groups frequently throughout the day, and when I’m not meeting with groups, students love to come and work at this table! In the fall I got a whiteboard table to replace this table, which is amazing! Students love writing on it, especially during our math small groups!

A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom
A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom

Desk Arrangement

I went from teaching at a school with smaller class sizes to one with larger class sizes, so figuring out how to arrange student desks was a challenge! I like to have my students sitting in groups, and over the past two years I’ve had desks in groups with 4-9 students at each group!

My students are constantly collaborating throughout the day, so it is important for me to have them sitting in groups where there can easily discuss ideas and work together. I have a supply caddy in the middle of each team, and each student has a cup to keep their pencils, erasers, and other supplies that we use on a regular basis.

Fostering a classroom reading community with a student driven Reading Graffiti Wall

Student Mailboxes

I inherited these student mailboxes from another teacher, however since I have more students in my class now, I had to get another smaller set of student mailboxes to stack under the original ones! I number student mailboxes by gluing numbers on binder clips (see my blog post all about it). Students store their iPad keyboards in their mailboxes, in addition to any mail that gets passed out to go home.

Fostering a classroom reading community with a student driven Reading Graffiti Wall

Student Photo Wall

Our student photo wall takes up half of the back wall of our classroom and is full of student photos with their favorite inspirational quotes and goals! You can read more about it + get the template here!

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Writing Wall

Quote Quick Writes are a great way to combine daily writing and character education!

Our writing wall is a place to display amazing student writing! I bought the writing letters at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics and spray painted them with silver glitter spray paint. Then I hot-glued thumb tacks to the back of them so they would stay up on the wall!

Supply Cart, Math Manipulatives, and Clipboards

A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom
A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom
A classroom tour of a colorful, 5th grade classroom

Reading Graffiti Wall

You can read more about how we use our Reading Graffiti Wall in my blog post here!

Fostering a classroom reading community with a student driven Reading Graffiti Wall

Scholastic Magazine Classroom Feature

My classroom is my home-away-from-home, and I love making it a comfortable, colorful, and functional place for my students and myself. Last year I was honored to have my classroom featured in Scholastic Magazine! You can read parts of the article and see pictures from that photoshoot here!

Resources:

Here is a list of resources that I’ve used in my classroom!

I hope you enjoyed my classroom tour! I love our classroom space and already have a few new ideas in mind for next year! A special thanks to Stephen Simpson for the first and last classroom pictures in this post!

A classroom tour of Lessons with Laughter's colorful, 5th grade classroom
  1. Elaina says:

    What a beautiful classroom! I love all the colors.

  2. Macy says:

    I absolutely LOVE your classroom decor! I’m going to be starting my first year as an Autism teacher in August and have been obsessed with colorful classrooms. Your’s is by far my favorite! I’m wondering where you got that super cute map? It’s ADORABLE

  3. Elena says:

    I’m completely in love with your classroom!! It’s so so pretty!! I wish my class was like yours, I’m sure my kids would have lots of fun!

    • Molly says:

      Thank you SO much, Elena! It took several years of purchasing teaching supplies, books, and materials! My classroom during my first year teaching looked much different! Ha! Thanks so much for your sweet comment!

  4. Mark says:

    Where did you get your desk caddies? Really Good Stuff?

    • Molly says:

      Hi Mark! I got most of them from Michael’s, but the orange one is from Lakeshore! I’m not sure if Really Good Stuff carries them or not, but that would be another great place to check!

  5. Ashley says:

    Love your room and organization! How did you create the cursive lettering on the Reading graffiti wall? Do you type the word in PDF and then print and cut out by hand? If so, how large did you make the font letters and what font did you use? Thanks in advance!

    • Molly says:

      Thank you so much, Ashley! I actually have a Silhouette that I used to cut the letters! I’m sure you could do it the other way too, but that would be a lot of work! I can’t remember the size, but the fonts I used were KG The Fighter and KG Part of Me!

  6. Casey says:

    Thank you for sharing your classroom. Can you tell us more about your Reading Graffiti wall? What is written, is is chalkboard paper and how do you refer to it or is it more decoration? Thanks

  7. Katy says:

    Hi! Loving these ideas so much! Where did you get that teacher tool box thing on type of the white shelves behind your desk?

    • Molly says:

      Hi Katy! It is from Lowe’s! It was a dark blue (or grey… I can’t remember!) when I purchased it, so I just spray painted it white!

  8. Ruth says:

    Where did you get your US map? I want one!! : )

  9. Molly says:

    Love the room! I just recently went to RCA came back inspired and want a stage in my room. What are the dimensions of your stage? I am moving from kindergarten to 2nd grade this year and changing my decor a little bit to be more spa like and inspirational with fun encouraging quotes.

    • Molly says:

      Oh my goodness, isn’t RCA so inspirational?! It is such an amazing experience! I had a parent make the stage for me and I can’t remember the exact dimensions! I will have to measure the next time I’m in my classroom! It sounds like your new classroom is going to be amazing!

  10. Alice says:

    Where do you post your standards and essential questions in your room?

  11. Kelsie says:

    Hey! Where is the math “TIME” poster from? I am obsessed with your classroom, great work!!!!

    • Molly says:

      Hi Kelsie! The math posters are from Ladybug’s Teacher Files! She has a whole post about how she uses them in her classroom and they are AMAZING!! Thank you so much!

  12. Michelle says:

    I LOVE the colorful bright room & ALL you did with it! Where did you get the black & white polka dotted rug? Also the #READ letters with lights? Thanks! Michelle

    • Molly says:

      Hi Michelle! Thank you so much! The black and white rug is from IKEA, but sadly they don’t sell it anymore! They have a black and white striped one though, which is what I’m using for my library this year! The #READ letters are from Target, but they don’t sell those plastic ones anymore! They have metal ones, but no hashtag! Maybe you can find them at another craft store or online? It’s always such a bummer when stores stop selling the really great stuff that we love!

  13. Kalli says:

    What a beautiful classroom! I love how all the colors combine together. I am going to try and change up my classroom design this year and I might borrow some of your ideas! Where did you get that awesome U.S. map?

  14. Lisa says:

    Love your white bench and the adorable striped, polka dot & pom pom trimmed pillows! Can you share where they came from?

    • Molly says:

      Thanks, Lisa! The white bench and rug are from IKEA, although they don’t sell the polka dot one anymore! They have a new black and white striped one though, which is what I’m using for our library this year! The pom pom pillows are from Hobby Lobby!

  15. Maureen Isenegger says:

    Thanks for sharing these pictures. Your classroom is incredible. Makes me motivated to keep working on mine! I am in the process of creating a stage in my classroom too. Could you tell me what the dimensions of your are? Also, I am super curious about the leadership league. Can you tell me about it?

  16. Kyle says:

    Where did you get that map of the united states!?

  17. Kayla says:

    Moving to 5th grade and your classroom makes me SO excited! May I ask what you used for your “reading graffiti” letters? A cricket?

  18. Wendy Grim says:

    Where did you get your colorful map from??

  19. Laycie says:

    I love your classroom! I teach 5th grade and my classroom is teal, grey, and black. I’m planning on adopting some of your awesome ideas. When I read the article in the magazine I noticed that you use a number file system for students to hand in their papers. Did you make the number files or did you buy them? Can you please share where you got this? Thank you for your inspiration!

  20. Tammy says:

    Love your classroom!! Did you create your clipboard and manipulative labels using your computer? If so are they on your TPT?

    • Molly says:

      Hi Tammy! I got the clipboard label from Ladybug’s Teacher Files! Yes, I created the manipulative labels on my computer, but those ones aren’t on TPT! I have other supply labels on TPT though (including editable ones) under my name: Molly Maloy!

  21. Kallie says:

    Your classroom is adorable!! Where did you get your team cart with the markers and stuff on it and the white cupboard with the clips boards on the bottom shelf?

    • Molly says:

      Thanks so much, Kallie! The cart is from IKEA, but I don’t think they sell that color anymore! I think Michael’s and Target both have a similar one though! The bookshelf is from IKEA and is the Billy one! Hope that helps!

  22. Melissa Escamilla says:

    Do you do all of your series’ in bins? I am redoing my library alphabetically and have all my series’ on the shelves grouped together after the other books. I am just curious to know what you think has worked best for you. My husbands boss just bought me all new book shelves for my room and I want them to look amazing, but functional. Any input would be appreciated!

    • Molly says:

      Hi Melissa! I just had a few series in bins, but this year I am moving more of them over to be in with the other fiction books alphabetically! I’m planning on using the book bins more for my informational books! That’s so excited that you have new shelves for your room this year! I bet they are going to look great!

  23. Codee Worthy says:

    Love your room!! Where did you get your bright paper for your bulletin boards? Or is it fabric?

  24. Lauren says:

    Amazing room! Bet the kiddos love it! Curious about your “turner inner” mentioned in the Schilastic article. Can you share more info, please?

  25. Kallie says:

    Where did you get your white shelf that’s behind your u shape table that has your phone on top of it?

  26. Katie Jo says:

    LOVE!!!! Where did you get your caddies for the student desk! Mine have most definitely seen their better days!

  27. Bethany says:

    Hi! I absolutely adore this classroom! So many great ideas!

    Can you share where you found the calendar behind your teacher desk? I love those colors!

    Thanks!

  28. I am so happy that I found your blog through Pinterest! Your classroom library is STUNNING! That will definitely be my favorite part of my classroom one day too I’m sure 🙂

    xoxo,
    Juliana Grace | http://www.julianagraceblogspace.com

  29. Monzerrat Jimenez says:

    Your classroom is such an inspiration on how I would like my classroom to look one day! I love how you focus on incorporating ways of collaboration, creativity, and communication just within your classroom. I am such a fan of working in small groups so the whiteboard desk is such a great tool to have! I also like how organized your classroom library is. There are so many options and I feel like students enjoy reading in your class because of it. I think students also enjoy having the Reading Graffiti wall that pulls meaningful quotes from the book for others to view and read.

  30. Lori says:

    Where did you get your white board table and which shape did you go with???? Your classroom is just FUN!!!!!

  31. Jordan says:

    Is your whole wall cork? I have no bulletin boards and I am so jealous you can have so much on your walls.

  32. Danielle says:

    Hi! Beautiful classroom- are your bulletin boards that big or did you stick the fabric to the walls?! If you stuck them, what did you find held them up the best? I always have a hard time once I hang things!

    Thanks 🙂

  33. Susie Evans says:

    Love your classroom-thanks for sharing! I’m wondering where you got the colorful map of the United States??

  34. BB says:

    Oh.My.GOSH! I love it! I have been looking EVERYWHERE on instagram and pinterest to find upper elementary decorated classrooms… I’m like really?!?!? Are they all glum and bare?! Yours is perfect! I love the students’ pictures on the wall! That’s my favorite.

  35. tamara smitj says:

    LOVE this!!! I’m returning to the classroom and I love the Accountable Talk area? Possible to see more photos of it?

  36. tamara says:

    Hello. I love your Math time board with space to post groups. Is that available on TPT?

  37. Jamie Auton says:

    I’m moving to 5th from 1st next year and I’m nervous! I’ve never taught upper grade before! Looking at your blog I’m completely inspired and excited about what next year will hold for me!

  38. Katie says:

    Hi there! I absolutely love your classroom! I am a first year fifth grade teacher this fall and trying to get as many ideas I can for setting up my classroom and yours as given me so much inspiration! I wanted to ask where did you purchase the #READ letters at?

  39. LaShun Pecharka says:

    I love all of your classroom decor. Where did you find the light up hashtag symbol and letters?

  40. buttaflie143 says:

    Where did you get the book bins on your bookshelves?

  41. Jessica Gault says:

    I love all of these ideas! Can you share some information about the whiteboard table you have for small groups now? I’m looking to ditch the bulky kidney table for something more modern that takes up less space.

    • Molly says:

      My school bought the whiteboard table! I’m not sure where it’s from, but I would highly recommend a whiteboard table! My students love it!

  42. Hei A. says:

    Where did you get the map poster? I’ve been trying to find something that size.

  43. Hi Molly,
    I love your classroom! I am so happy I found it on Pinterest! I wanted to ask you about your silhouette for your letters on the bulletin board. Where did you find the silhouette? I’ve been trying to find the font and I can’t. 🙁

  44. Katherine Ringstaff says:

    Do you have the calendar squares for your calendar in your store? I could not find them, but love them!

  45. Karin says:

    Your classroom is amazing! I was wondering if you could explain the watercolor hand project that is on your wall. I love to include decor created by the students

  46. Kylea Vohlken says:

    Hi! This is my DREAM classroom! I love it! Do you happen to know what size your bookshelves are or have a link for them?

  47. Margie says:

    Your room is such an inspiration! I’m wondering about the spaces on your walls…do you really have that many bulletin boards? If not, what did you use on the wall to make it look like a board?

  48. Jessica Benes says:

    Hi there, just found your blog. I’m interested in those silver brad things you used on the writing wall. Where do you get those and what are they called? I can’t figure out how to find them!

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