Classrooms are sometimes negatively remembered because the walls are bare and the environment lacks wall charts, work displays and other evidence of learning. On other occasions, they host displays that seem to stay, without change, almost forever. Work displayed during term one may still be on display in term four. Such classroom environments lack vibrancy and relevance of current learning outcomes.

While it takes time to organise displays of student work, it’s well worth the effort. Children are reminded of what they have done and are justifiably proud of their “product” when it is on display. They are able to compare their work with other’s efforts. Displays can become talking points and they can also be used when revising and reinforcing previous learning.

It is important to change work displays periodically so they are always contemporary. This also give students, whose work hasn’t been displayed, a chance to join in the showing. Children love sharing their work with peers and with parents who visit from time to time. My belief is that parents feel welcome into classrooms when children’s work is on display.

When work is about to be taken down and replaced, an idea is to take photographs or video of the room. Pictorial material can be included in a physical or electronic folder and kept within the classroom for reference. This builds up a compendium of work that can be used on parent teacher nights, open classrooms and as a reminder of what has been done when records are being prepared.