Transform Your Classroom

At Hallsville Intermediate School, Kelsea Miller isn't just a fourth-grade teacher — she's a magician of the classroom, weaving enchantment into learning through classroom transformations. These lessons are immersive experiences that ignite passion and engagement in her students. What could be more exciting for a young learner than walking through the classroom door and into a fully decorated, themed room?

Table covers, props and outfits are carefully selected by Miller to coincide with a relevant subject in the course material. These transformations often occur during recess or lunch break, adding to the excitement and surprise of the occasion when the students return.

“They absolutely love it,” Miller said. “When they walk in, their eyes light up and you can always hear, ‘Woahhh!’ or ‘This is so cool!’ I always play music to help set the tone with a direction slide that matches and a hanging photography backdrop to cover some of my everyday decor.”

Miller began this project during her first year of teaching - inspired by fellow MSTA member Bryanna Norman's classroom transformations, she decided to bring the magic of immersive learning to her own classroom.

“My first year, I did a pizza transformation for our comparing fractions unit, a Donut Shop for our two-digit multiplication unit and construction for adding and subtracting fractions,” Miller said. “Each year, I have added a new transformation or added something else onto the transformations!”

Starting with small-scale themes to review complex concepts, Miller realized the potential these experiences held for her students. In November, during a poetry unit, the class was thrilled to dive into a Caribou Coffee themed lesson.

“When they walked into the classroom it was set up for a Caribou Coffee themed ‘Open Mic Night,’” Miller detailed. “Each student got in the front of the classroom and read their poems out loud to the class with the microphone, we tried to really practice on projecting our voices and making eye contact with the audience. When they were done, they were able to enjoy some hot cocoa and muffins.”

In December, students were treated to Miller's classic math pizza transformation. “During our fractions unit, students picked 10 toppings, wrote out the fractions, made two equivalent proportions, converted them into decimals and plotted them onto a number line!” Miller enthused.

At the beginning, Miller self-funded the supplies for transformations, however local support systems have since eased this financial commitment.

“Our district has provided us with a little bit of transformation money this year, which has helped tremendously,” Miller said. “I also get donations from the Hy-Vee on Conley Road in Columbia. They donated all of the pizza boxes and the Caribou Coffee inside donated cups and signs for the classroom! A lot of the items that I have purchased are reusable as well - the kids are really good about making sure they take care of the decorations and extras because they enjoy having them.”

The reactions from Miller's students on transformation days speak volumes. Their awe, audible gasps, and excited remarks are the applause she cherishes. The ambiance, carefully curated with matching visuals and music, creates an immersive space where learning isn't confined to textbooks but springs to life in vivid, memorable ways. Among the cherished memories with her classes, two stand out most to Miller.

“The entire fourth grade team did Harry Potter Day after we all read the book,” she reminisced. “Each teacher dressed up and we did fun activities all day. Overall, my favorite memory would have to be my first year doing the construction transformation. Students got hard hats, tool belts and tape measures. They had learned how to add fractions on the tape measure, so many of them were excited to go home and show their parents. Connecting math to a real-life activity helped them understand the importance of what we were learning.”

Behind the magic lies a dedication to the process and ability to work on a short turnaround schedule for decorating. To fellow educators who may find interest in classroom transformations, Miller offers a guiding light.

“Just start small and add to it. Do not be afraid to ask for donations if your school allows it,” she advised. “Parents often like to donate tablecloths or have things around the house that can be used - I tell them it is for a surprise activity. I would be more than willing to talk transformations through and help however I can!”

Classroom transformations are about fostering a love for learning that transcends traditional boundaries. With each innovative setup, she plants seeds of curiosity and wonder, ensuring her students not only understand the subjects but also treasure the journey of learning itself. In Miller's classroom, education is an experience that lasts a lifetime.

Educators who are interested in learning more can contact Kelsea Miller at kmiller2@hallsville.org. Have you hosted a creative or interactive learning experience in your classroom? Let us know! Email editor@msta.org.