Setting the Tone: Creating a Calm & Inviting Classroom Energy

The Power of Classroom Energy

Have you ever walked into a classroom and immediately felt the energy—whether calm and productive or chaotic and tense? The way a space feels is just as important as how it’s organized. As teachers, we have the power to set that tone.

When I was subbing at the end of my first maternity leave, I often felt that my own energy was a little bit off—not because of the students, but because I wasn’t in a space I had created. That experience forced me to develop tools I could bring into any classroom to develop a calm and inviting atmosphere, no matter where I was.

My favorite example of a perfectly set tone happens in the winter, maybe one of the only perks to those long, cold days. Come November, the routines and expectations that I have been working on to instill within my class have slowly started to become second nature. The early mornings are softened by warm lighting, soft instrumental music, and a slow, intentional start to the day. I stand in the hall with my grade partners, coffee in hand, and greet each student as they come in. Beginning their morning task, I quietly circulate, free to admire their independence and the sense of calm we have built together.

Why Energy Matters

Students walk into our classrooms each day carrying the weight of their mornings, their nights before, and their home lives. A calm, predictable start gives every child an equal playing field—a chance to take a breath, settle in, and begin the day in a supportive environment.

One rule I always stick to is never bringing attention to a late student. Instead, I offer a quiet greeting and allow them to ease into the routine. They know exactly what to do when they arrive, and morning work stays available for the first 20 minutes to give them time to get settled.

This approach does not go unnoticed. University facilitators, parents, and even other students have walked in during the morning, surprised by the level of independence and focus in the room. It is not magic—it is intentional. This slow yet efficient start is just as important for me as it is for them, creating space to connect with those who need it, complete administrative tasks, and trust that the time is being used effectively.

Practical Ways to Set the Tone in Your Classroom

If you are looking to shift the energy in your space, here are a few simple but powerful strategies.

1. Background Music

Music fills the space, sets the mood, and provides a natural sound expectation. Choosing a genre that complements the subject matter enhances engagement.

• Science unit on Trees and Forests? Play forest sounds.

• Space exploration? Background space-themed music.

• First Nations history? Drum circles.

Music serves as both a learning tool and a volume guide—if student voices rise above the background sound, it signals the need for quieter conversation. Try one of my favorite space filling playlists - LowFi Beats by BeatTape on Spotify!

2. Lighting

Not only do those harsh fluorescent lights immediately trigger my headaches, they just feel cold and aggressive. Instead, I love placing large IKEA lamps around the perimeter of the room or dimmable lights when available. Adjusting the lighting to match the energy in the room—brighter for active discussions, dimmer for quiet independent work can provide nonverbal cues for students to be successful. Some co-teachers I know even use LED lighting around their room to create a warm ambiance that students love.

3. Clear Visual Expectations

The more predictable the classroom, the calmer the energy. That is why I always have:

• Steps of the current activity displayed on the board

• Criteria of what exemplary completion looks like or a visual exemplar (can be co-created with the class)

• Early finisher steps so students always know what to do next

  
  

My favorite tool for this is ClassroomScreen. It is a digital board that lets you display a timer, noise level, instructions, and more - use the Google Extension Emoji Keyboard by JoyPixels to add visuals to your messaging for students. The free version allows you to adjust it as needed, and the paid version lets you save different screens for different times of the day.

The Role of Routines and Structure

If you want a calm classroom, routines are essential. Students should never be left wondering:

• How do I know if my work is complete?

• Where do I hand things in?

• What can I do when I finish early?

• What is the noise expectation right now?

  
  

One way I establish this from day one is with a structured morning routine:

1. Instrumental music is playing.

2. The lighting is dimmed or set to a warm tone.

3. A welcome message on ClassroomScreen describes morning work, things that need to be handed in, etc.

4. A six-minute “grace period” timer starts as students arrive, giving them time to get their resources and settle in.

5. A 20-minute independent work session follows - literacy or numeracy work books, digital literacy activities, continuation of activities started previously or independent reading with a readers notebook task - providing a buffer for late students before we begin attendance and a morning talking circle.

   
   

This predictability creates a sense of stability, allowing students to feel safe, independent, and ready to learn while also providing me time to complete any administrative tasks and a chance to finish my coffee (we all need this for the day to be successful).

Your Energy Sets the Classroom’s Energy

As teachers, we bring our own energy into the space. If I feel rushed or stressed, my students feel it too. That is why I openly communicate with them.

For example, the end of the day always feels overwhelming to me - the list of to-dos before they leave for the day suddenly feels endless as their restlessness slowly takes over the space. So, on day one, I set the following expectations:

• During agendas, my voice is the only voice.

• If you have something to add, raise your hand.

• Clean-up jobs are assigned so we all share responsibility - we are not dismissed until our jobs are complete.

This small moment of honesty helps my students support me—just as I support them throughout the day and I verbally remind them of these expectations every single day.

Where to Start If Your Classroom Energy Feels Off

If you feel like your space is out of control, start small.

• Establish an entry routine with music, soft lighting, and a set entry task that is visually displayed.

• Use ClassroomScreen or Google Slides to display expectations throughout the day - this will eliminate unnecessary questions and promote independence, freeing you to put your energy towards students that need it

• Before beginning a task, clearly discuss what the room should look like and feel like - we are working in groups of 4 today, when I am walking around the room, what should I see? What should I hear? How should our room feel?

• Control the movement throughout your space by calling students by table groups or rows instead of all at once.

Ponder This:

We would love for you to share your answers in the comments or simply take a moment to reflect yourself:

• What routines or structures have you put in place to create a calm and predictable environment?

• When is a time throughout the day that could use more structure?

• How does your own energy and mindset influence the classroom atmosphere? What strategies help you reset and maintain a calm presence?

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