Put up posters relevant to your subject area. Decorate your room according to the holiday season or school event. Most schools only allow you to put up a limited number of wall posters because of the school fire code, so be selective in what you choose. You could choose quotes, pictures of historical figures or authors, timelines, school rules, calendars and character-building posters. This is an effective way to give your classroom a makeover. Be sure not to go overboard when it comes to decorating your room, because being in a cluttered room is as distracting as being in a bare room.
Showcase your students' work. Students like seeing their work being proudly displayed in the classroom. Designate a bulletin board for student work. Title the board with something like, "Student Center," "Achievement" or "Head of the Class." This motivates students and has the added bonus of pleasing parents. When meet the teacher night comes around, parents enjoy seeing their student's work displayed.
Tidy up your area. Teachers have lots of work they are continually doing - papers to grade, books everywhere - and this can create a sense of chaos in the classroom. Invest in some stackable folder holders, bookends and a desk organizer. If students feel welcomed into your area of the classroom, they will respond better to you during your lessons. Don't let your work keep you from a suitable work environment. Organize your papers and books and remove unnecessary clutter.
Pep up. You, the teacher, are the biggest motivating factor in the classroom. If you are dragging during your lesson, nothing you have done to improve your environment will help you. If you need to drink that extra cup of coffee in the morning or go to bed earlier, do it. Don't shortchange your students because you are in a bad mood or feeling unmotivated. If you are not normally cheery, become more energetic and exude that level of motivation you want your students to have.