The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Canine theme fosters fun student engagement

Sayde Evahnenko
Grade 2, Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour School, Edmonton
@thosewhocan_teach [Instagram]

This is my first school year with my own room and class from start to finish. I have dreamed of being a teacher and having my own classroom since I was a child and have always been excited by the idea of decorating a classroom.

This year I used a “Hipster Dog” bundle to create a dog-themed classroom. I chose this theme because I have found that I can connect with my students by sharing stories about my rescue dogs. I am also extremely passionate about pet adoption; this classroom theme is a way to bring that passion and my love of dogs to life in my daily work.

In creating this environment, I hope to make daily connections with my students. I hope they feel welcome in my room, that they find it to be a fun and inviting space, and that it helps us feel like a “pack” that successfully coexists.

My favourite “teacher hack” that I came up with for the room is labelling each table group as a different breed of dog instead of labeling them by number groups. I feel this is a fun way to engage the kids. This is a really simple spin on the classic table system, but the students were so excited when they saw the dogs and are looking forward to future seating plans to have a chance “to be” a different type of dog. (Multiple students have already enthusiastically asked me “When do I get to be a pug?!”)

I also attached the group names to shower caddies I bought that I filled with our communal supplies so anything we need is within reach. I found this has really cut down on transitional time as I don’t need to spend time handing
out materials.

I feel it is valuable to have an environment that I’ve put care into and that my students enjoy being in. I hope they love the room as much as I do, and that they are excited to be learning in a “paw-sitive” environment!

“I feel it is valuable to have an environment that I’ve put care into and that my students enjoy being in.”

Got an Idea? Teacher Hacks is a place for colleagues to share their awesome ideas. If you have a hack that you’d like to share with your colleagues, please email a summary and photos to managing editor Cory Hare at cory.hare@ata.ab.ca.