
Have you ever looked at a classroom and felt a wave of inspiration? The kind that makes you think, “Wow, this is a space where learning comes alive!” That’s the magic of an intentionally designed classroom, and it’s what I wanted for the best teacher I know, my husband. I can verify his best teacher award because I hear, “MR. BIBLE IS MY FAVORITE TEACHER !!!” every time my own students figure out we are married. I could get jealous, but mostly I just get proud. That’s why I wanted to help him set up a world history classroom that’s just a small fraction of what he deserves.
Since students learn 7th grade world history, geography, and religion in this classroom, it was important to create an environment that celebrates diversity and inspires curiosity.
In this post, we’ll explore the many benefits of a culturally diverse classroom, share tips on designing your room, and offer a step-by-step makeover guide. By the end, you’ll be bursting with ideas to make your classroom an inviting space where students love to learn. Let’s dive in!
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The Benefits of a Welcoming World History Classroom
Creating a classroom that celebrates cultural diversity does wonders for students. First, it fosters an inclusive environment. When students see their cultures represented, they feel valued and included. This boosts their confidence and willingness to participate.
Second, it broadens students’ perspectives. Exposing them to different cultures promotes empathy and understanding. They learn to appreciate differences and see the world through various lenses.
Finally, it makes learning more engaging. A culturally rich classroom sparks curiosity. Students become eager to learn about different histories and global perspectives, making your lessons more interactive and exciting!
If you would like to learn more about sparking curiosity, check out our book: Keeping the Wonder: An Educator’s Guide to Magical, Engaging, and Joyful Learning

Shades of Blue Classroom Mood Board
Colors play a significant role in setting the tone of your classroom. For a world history theme, shades of blue are perfect. They evoke a sense of calm and represent the vastness of our oceans, connecting to many cultures around the globe.
Creating a classroom mood board is an essential step in my classroom design process because it helps you visualize your space and stay on budget!
Here is the breakdown of what I spent infusing a little more joy into his middle school world history classroom:
- Welcoming World classroom decor bundle: $10
- Inflatable Globes: $16
- Map Tapestry Option 1, 2, 3, 4: $13
- Navy blue bulletin board paper: $23
- Shades of blue bulletin board border: $14
- Track ceiling hooks: $12
- International flags (smaller than flags pictured below): $14
- Flag holder (if you can find bigger flags): $10x 2 = $20
- Clocks: $7×7= $49 (or use clock image in decor pack)
- Misc Supplies: $25
- Items from around my house: FREE
- Using items he already had: FREE
Total: $196

Before and After Classroom Makeover
For some reason I didn’t take any before photos, but let me paint you a picture: Imagine walking into a small, windowless classroom that used to be a gym equipment storage area back in the 60s when this school was built. That’s what we had to work with. But, I truly believe that you can create a welcoming space in the worst of classroom environments. Take a look for yourself!

This is a focal wall made out of two cheap sets of sheets from Big Lots (I think they were $15 each) and a $3 roll of fabric I picked up from Goodwill. All of the patterns on the fabric are different, but they create a unified design because they are all navy, gray, and white. We were going for a Persian design here to emphasize some of the world cultures his students will be learning about. But just a word of caution, please check your fire codes before attempting this type of display!

Watercolor map tapestry, inflatable globes hung with low-gauge craft wire, and clocks with time zones of cities in his world history curriculum. While the clocks are a classroom favorite, he admits that changing the batteries is pain and commitment. So, if you really like this concept, try picking your or your students’ favorite time of day (like lunch or recess) then adjust all the time zones based on that single time. The wow factor is a little less, but it’s still cool to think about what time it is in Beijing when it’s noon in your classroom.

One of my favorite walls in the room is the “Be the light in the world” wall display I made for him. I designed it so that different style lights, lamps, and lanterns from around the world would be represented (obviously I could find them all, but I think the idea is there).You can find this light set in my pack here: Welcoming World Classroom Decor. The pieces of paper you see represent where student work will be displayed. In the picture below, you can see our little helper who came to decorate this middle school world history classroom. 🙂

If you want to learn how to make oversized art for your classroom, check out this reel:

Beyond the message of “Be the light in the world,” I wanted to promote world kindness and unity. The posters are blueprints or sometimes called engineering prints that I got from Staples. I simply hot glued the thin pieces of wood to the paper and hung them with the same low gauge wire I used for the inflatable globes above. If you are interested in creating this look yourself, you can check out my Watercolor World Classroom Decor Kit
Tips to Create Your Own Welcoming World-Themed Classroom

Ready to transform your world history classroom? Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Choose a Color Palette
Opt for shades of blue or any colors that inspire a global perspective!
2. Decorate with Maps and Globes
Hang maps that highlight different regions. Use globes as decorative elements and teaching tools.
3. Incorporate Cultural Artifacts
Display artifacts from different cultures. These can include musical instruments, traditional clothing, or handcrafted items.
4. Use Inspirational Quotes
Find quotes from historical figures around the world. Display them on your walls to inspire students.
5. Personalize the Space
Encourage students to bring in items that represent their culture. Create a display area where these items can be shared and appreciated.
Conclusion
Transforming your middle school world history classroom into a welcoming, culturally diverse space is a rewarding endeavor. It fosters inclusion, broadens perspectives, and makes learning more engaging. By following these tips and ideas, you can create an environment where students are inspired to learn about the world!