Classroom Theme Ideas

I have been told by my principal not to buy anything - as she put it, I'm not getting paid this summer, and when I do get paid, it will be a teacher's salary. So I know that my school will help me out. As of right now, we're not sure where 3rd grade will be housed in our school, and so I don't have a clue what my room will look like. Or if I'm co-teaching or lead teaching on my own.

But! I really want to have some classroom set-up ideas in mind for when I get to get into my classroom later this month. So, with that in mind, I have been perusing some teacher supply websites. Oriental Trading is a well-known site, and a great resource for prizes and stickers and the like. I found Teacher Storehouse to have a ton of great classroom decorations, and so I've spent the past hour perusing their pages for ideas. I know I want a general theme in my room, and I also have the sage advice from my mentor teacher not to pick anything trendy - stick with a classic and you're guaranteed to be able to find a lot of great things every year. Here are the themes I'm floating around.

1. Stars. This is my front-runner so far. I like the idea of an all-black (or blue) door with stars on it (each star = a kid name). I could go the science route - "supernova of the week"- or the Hollywood route - "Star of the Week" with each kid getting a "star" on the sidewalk.

2. Owls. I am not a cutesy person, so ladybugs or frogs or monkeys seem too adorable for my taste, and also more early elementary. But I like owls, in real life, and I like the idea of owls as wise and inquisitive and observant creatures.

3. Helping hands. I found some lovely handprint patterns that I think I could work with. I also love the idea of a theme that speaks to my expectations in the classroom.

4. Classic. I could go with a few classic themes - apples are always solid, or classroom supplies (I found a pretty colored pencil border).

5. Abstract. Polka dots! Stripes! Puzzle pieces! (I actually love the puzzle pieces options out there)

I won't make a decision until I know whether or not I am working with a co-teacher. I want to pick something that has a lot of great ways to play with it, and that won't make me feel silly.

What do y'all think? Is there a theme that I obviously should go with?

xoxo
Miss Zee