There are obviously lots of things that could be done to make a student feel welcomed in class, and happy to be in the room.  I try to be as positive with my students as possible.  Even though my kids are in high school, you might be surprised at what makes them happy.  For example, I put stickers on all assignments which receive a grade of a C or above. The higher the grade, the bigger and more sparkly the sticker.

My kids LOVE this.  It makes them happy and encourages them despite being such a simple idea.

Just yesterday, my principal told me to stop using red pens to grade.  She told me to grade using bright, colorful pens. Does this really make a difference?  What are some other ideas that you have, or that your teachers have done for you?  (Cheap, reasonable ideas, please!  LOL Contrary to what most kids want, us teachers can't throw parties once a month or give a full week with no homework... Please don't waste our time with those ideas. xD)

Another thing I've tried is keeping little dinosaur plushies in my room. If I see a student is having a bad day, I place the plushy on their desk and tell them they can carry it around for as long as they need it.  Again, despite being high schoolers, this means a lot to them and they enjoy it.

Positive classroom, huh?

Well, I don't really mind the decorations. I just love the classroom itself if the teacher is nice, encourages, and doesn't have mold sweeping her walls.

But, decoration-wise...

A few funny, maybe encouraging posters are usually nice for me. My teacher usually puts up all of the grades that deserve it, which are around an A (92+) to A+ (100). Since we're an advanced, gifted class, she puts up some math "riddles" that you can solve if you want to for some prize. If you're having a bad day, they'll back off and give you your own space. Sometimes, if the situation is pretty bad, you get some nice privileges, including a special snack or drink from the teacher. Again, that's if you're being a complete, ahem, "jerk" for a personal reason (ie. loss of family member, parent problems, etc.).

Some of my teachers actually reward kids with snacks, privileges, stuff like that if they get a grade that's higher than everyone else by a margin, helping the teacher when they don't ask, etc.

As for the pen, my teachers use green or pink, which are usually nice, light, and (obviously) colorful.

But, yeah. Since this is the weekend, my ideas are sort of dry. Sorry.

Being positive and have a great personality! That is my number one rule of being a great teacher. Have decorative classroom. Joke around sometimes. Try to relate with the students. Relating can be hard sometimes but its the thought that counts. Do hands on teaching instead of throwing packets at them. Do something that is different than the other teachers. (Like my middle school teacher did fist bump Fridays with hulk hands.) Hope this wasn't a waste of time. Enjoy your year!

Hm, let's see...

Windows that can open or close.

Working air conditioner that can have its temperature controlled.

Non-leaking roofs.

A clean room that doesn't smell like Clorox. 

Enough desks (or rather, bigger desks) for the students.

Hand sanitizer.

...I guess having went through public school, my standards are a bit low, eh?

Hmm... Well... I guess if its a sunny day outside while the windows are open would sort of make the class feel more inviting and fun. Also when the teacher is funny and when I don't get much homework to do. lol. Also if the room is not burning hot but yet not too cold. I guess thats all I can think of for now.

Knowing you it is already colorful, so, I'd like some energy in the class. Not the science form, the energetic form.  I hate teachers that mumble and act like they are 243 years old when they are really 43 years old. Another thing people like is a sense of humor, but I don't need to tell you to not go too far 'cause you already know that.
Lastly, I recommend you try to find time in class to get a little homework done. Maybe just 5 minutes before the bell rings you give your class time to see if they FULLY understand the content you teach them, and so they don't have as much homework at home.

The room is definitely an issue in college, don't get me wrong, but in high school most of our rooms were essentially the same. I know that's why you asked about decorations and stuff, but overall just whatever you can do to make the room feel more open, I guess. The only room I really HATE right now on campus is unfortunately one I'm in for the 3rd time right now. The SMALLEST "desks" attached to the SMALLEST chairs placed right on top of the other. No room at ALL. And I need my laptop, my thermo book, the test paper, the pencil, the calculator, all just to answer a question or two. At least this guy's only doing 25 min quizzes and I'm not there for an hour + with this stuff out anymore.

Now that you've suffered through that rant, back to high school matters. I've always found in high school and even now in college that I just automatically feel happy and comfortable in room that feels more open, regardless of the classroom size. Not really sure how specific I can be on that aspect, but now that I think about it I believe the main reason for this past experiences. For example, I automatically feel welcomed in a math class or mechanics-related class because I've had the best experience with those classes in the past. 

I don't just mean academically, though. Which leads me to the main point: Atmosphere is GREAT and all, but I believe it, along with everything else you're striving for, is MOSTLY determined by the teacher and then encouraged by the fellow students. I can't enter a math class without feeling happy and I'm no music major but I couldn't enter the band rehearsal building (the one semester I actually did concert band in college) without feeling great because of my past respective teachers and the friends I made and times I had in those rooms. And those initial experiences were made possible just from the personality of the teachers. The teacher can make the room feel open and fun and allow the students to connect better with each other in this way, too. 

Now what were these great past experiences? Well I've never had a bad math teacher. There's power in numbers/patterns. And I also had a fun physics teacher who let us mess around with him and vice versa. So I don't expect you to have 'free' time like my precalc class, or have us play Kitty Kannon on the computers of Physics, but if there's some little joke you can make the gag relief of your class or if it's just possible for you to be more friendly, then that's the best idea I can give you. My memorable moments were just the little things about my individual teachers in high school and they caused me to feel almost sad that I can't be as personal as often with college professors. 

Sorry if this was too long. Especially if it's unnecessarily long. Who knows how many circles I've been talking in, it's 4am and my Tuesdays are free....

Well, my classroom is okay and I do not think there are any improvements needed. It is okay, the only improvement I think is needed is to lay off the homework, she is mean and I think she gives way too much homework.

A nice teacher is always a good thing. The students in my class also have a huge effect on how the classroom feels. I hate when I have all the dumb immature kids in my math class. Oh also some room temperature control. Most of my classes are really hot

Singelli : High school sucks and those little things make their day seem just a little better I like them as for the sparkly pen thing I personally don't care what color pen you use also words of encouragement are always cool and 1 on 1 with students help in regards to them having a rough day also you could always have a contest for legos or something that would have made me pay more attention in school

I like where this thread is going, yet it's not the direction I intended it to go.  I understand the physical aspects of a positive classroom:  Bright colors, well-lit, comfortable temperatures, spacey area, etc etc.  And what I can control of those aspects, I do.  However, where I work the Board (for example) has complete control of the heating and A/C. They determine where our thermostat is set and we can't do anything to stop it.  They recently put an electronic thermostat in my room and although I can't use it to change the temperature, I CAN read the temperature.

It was 85 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and 87 today.  It's been bipolar every few days, keeping my room well between 60 or well above 80.  I've consistently complained, but nobody seems to know or care what's wrong with it.  I mean... I just spent 4 hours in an 87 degree room, and I have 2 more hours to go.  If it weren't for having to go to a workshop today, I would have been in that heat for 12 hours.


But let me end that rant.

When I first started this thread, I was actually more interested in OTHER ways to make the classroom environment positive.  Things I can do for the kids, for example.  Ways to positively reinforce their behavior, study habits, and work ethic.

When the walkway leading up to the trailer (it is a classroom by the way) is very colorful and inviting. Also if the teacher if jubilant and standing at the door waiting for you to walk in!

Singelli : When I get an 100, They put an 100 with a smiley face right under it.. The teacher is also very nice and gives some snacks to people who don't have some and iPads to borrow.

Just have fun, and be willing to dodge a curve ball every now and again. Most of the time my four year old students like how I can be ridiculous while I give a sensical explanation for what I am teaching them, and my older students seem to like that I can relate to them as well. Preteen students are a bit tougher, but they are often the most willing to work with you if you're able and willing to go the extra mile to understand them. Have fun, but try to keep it to reason, which is the balancing factor. I can't say how to, since it varies from person to person.

So were talking about classrooms. A positive classroom? What makes a classroom attractive?

I love a classroom that has a nice relaxing color combination, like orange with yellow or something like that. The teacher also affects how attractive the classroom gets. If the teacher is nice, presentable, and is kind to his/her students. I don't want a classroom with too much decorative things, I want the classrooms with functional things. Here are the things that you can find on a perfect class room (I think). A grooming corner: Where you can comb your hair and see yourself on a mirror (Of course it should have a mirror). The Mini Library: A small shelf with story books and lecture books. Comfort Room?: What else can you ask for?. Strong chair, a clean floor/walls/ceiling, also it needs a place where you can put your shoes before you enter so lets put a shoe shelf. Then it needs a complete broom box: With soft and hard brooms, map, rags, etc. A few flowers, mottos, and few decorative things wont hurt so put some too.

If I remember in school, pretty much what makes a positive classroom is a number of things, You pretty much depends on how you're classroom looks, and what materials you have in the classroom, also it really depends on the student roster as well, put in a lot of bad students and a few good ones, those good ones will be distracted from the bad ones.

My teacher had these big dice and three lists (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.) He would have us role the dice if we did something good, and the number you rolled would correspond to a number on the good list, to dictate your reward. (Seat change coupon, listen to music in class, etc.) Likewise, if you were bad, you rolled for the bad list, which listed punishments, some of which were actually sort of funny. (A popular favorite was "Write a 300 word essay about cheese.") The Ugly list was the same as the bad list, but with more severe punishments for more severe offenses. Everyone loved this system. It was fabulous, and actually effective as well!

Singelli : aww i think thats sweet that they love that well what makes me inviting is if i know any of the people and i really enjoy the little movies we watch to learn about subjects that really come to me thats what i guess invites me

To me, an inviting classroom is one with a kind teacher who takes everyone's thoughts into account and is considerate of every single student's feelings. Also, it has to be neat, tidy, and relatively cool.