Decorate the Door to Where the Learning Happens
In most elementary schools, you’ll see decorated doors as you roam the hallways. It’s a way for teachers to express who they are as educators and to share the learning happening in their space with the greater community. You’ll find doors that change with the season or with each new learning unit. There are humorous doors and impressively crafty doors. When I first started teaching, I remember feeling so overwhelmed by how I was going to decorate my bulletin board and the door outside of my classroom. I wanted it to be eye-catching, have a theme or message, include student work, and share a little bit about the people that occupied the classroom behind it. I had everything from a jungle-themed door to a door dressed up as a washing machine. I always enjoyed the adventure of creating a new entrance to our classroom.
This spring, after coming to terms with the fact that the remainder of the school year would be taught in our home, I decided it was time to decorate our door. Using the inspiration of my new students, my two sons, we came up with an idea. They had spent every day at home in superhero costumes, coloring superheroes, playing with superhero action figures, and watching superhero cartoons. It only made sense for our door to be centered around superheroes. I wanted it to be more than simply a display for their drawings, so I took a moment to think about what a superhero really was.
During this pandemic, I think we can all agree that our definition of a real-life superhero has changed greatly. I wanted our door to celebrate the essential workers who have worked tirelessly to get so many of us what we need during this time at home. I also wanted it to be something catchy that anyone could connect to. So, we got out some bright colored construction paper, markers, and our superhero drawings. We wrote down the jobs of the people who were keeping us safe, fed, and alive during this time. With our words and drawings ready, we taped them all to our front door. Our final product was bright, had a message, included student work, and shared a little bit about who lives behind the door. We absolutely love how it came out!
Our creation was well received by our neighbors and enjoyed by many people passing by. I hope that every person who has delivered a package to our house has smiled seeing that we recognize them as a superhero. My boys have really enjoyed every time someone brings it up to them. But, after three months of covering our door, it's now faded and ready to be replaced.
This year has provided us with a lot of opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow. As I think about a new design for our door, there is more to consider than simply something that sparks joy to those who pass by. Possibly a theme that relates to what’s going on around us, like protecting yourself and others from Covid-19, celebrating Pride month, or sharing information about social justice issues might be what your family chooses for you door. Decorating your door could be a wonderful opportunity to engage your family in a conversation about your values and efforts related to so many current events.
However your door decoration comes together, we can’t wait to see what you do. Decorate, post, and tag us!