The Best 4th Grade Room Transformations You Need to Try

classroom transformation themes for 4th grade

These are the top 10 best 4th grade classroom transformations. They are easy to implement, rigorous, and fun for fourth graders. All 4th grade classroom transformations focus on a different skill set so you can use one each week or at the end of each unit. The best part about my room transformations is that they’re 100% editable! If you haven’t taught a specific skill yet, or need to modify the content to meet your students’ needs, you can change any of the questions. All 4th grade classroom transformations are challenging, aligned to standards, and engaging for students. They are also easy to set up and simple to use. Check out the 10 most popular 4th grade classroom transformations below.

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The Floor is Lava Classroom Transformation

Watch your step! The floor has turned to lava during The Floor is Lava Classroom Transformation. In this transformation, fourth-graders walk into a classroom that has turned into a lava-covered obstacle course. Students use both physical and mental skills to solve 10 lava-themed math challenges throughout the day. But, with a catch! They can’t step on lava spots on the ground. This transformation is always a hit in the classroom no matter how much effort you put into it. By the end of the day, your fourth-graders will have strengthened their math skills while having a blast.

The Floor is Lava Classroom Transformation has fourth-graders practice a variety of math standards in time for state testing. Easy to differentiate, and all editable, this transformation is sure to strengthen your students’ math skills. Accordingly, students will practice:

  • Measurement (Converting Between Units, Word Problems, Area and Perimeter, Line Plots, Angles, Complementary, Supplementary)
  • Fractions (Equivalent Fractions, Comparing Fractions, Add and Subtract Fractions, Multiply Fractions, Improper Fractions, Mixed Numbers, Decimals, Compare Decimals, Fractions Denominators 10/100)
  • Numbers in Base Ten (Rounding, Comparing Numbers, Place Value, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction)
  • Operations and Algebraic Thinking (Multiplication and Division Word Problems, Factors, Patterns)
  • Geometry (Geometry Terms, Symmetry, Triangles, Classify Shapes)

Put up lava signs and banners around your classroom to make this transformation feel complete– they’re all included! You can also purchase extra decorations, like a red tablecloth for lava on the ground and volcano banners to set the scene. Anything you incorporate into this transformation will brighten your students’ day as they complete math challenges. A little fun can make a world of difference in your fourth-graders’ math skills, preparing them for testing and beyond.

Donut Shop Classroom Transformation

The most delicious transformation is definitely the Donut Shop Classroom Transformation! In this transformation, your fourth-graders will spend the day “working” in a donut shop as they complete 10 donut-themed math challenges. There are donut banners and signs included for you to post around the classroom, and tons of extra decorations you can buy anywhere to make this transformation even sweeter. You can even get free donut-shop hats from Krispy Kreme if you ask ahead, which will further immerse your students into the transformation.

Fourth-graders will practice multiple math standards throughout the day such as:

  • adding and subtracting mixed numbers
  • add and subtract mixed number word problems
  • adding and subtracting mixed numbers with manipulatives
  • add and subtract mixed number equations
  • adding and subtracting mixed numbers with pictures
  • add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators ONLY (no unlike denominators!)

The Donut Classroom Transformation is a great way to enrich your students’ learning process. Using real-world math and examples, fourth-graders are able to practice many math skills and deepen their understanding of a concept. The donut-themed classroom creates an exciting environment as students work to solve math challenges. Thus, motivating your fourth-graders to finish the transformation and remember what they learned long after the day is done. 4th grade classroom transformations like this one can be easy to do and simple to set up!

Detective Classroom Transformation

“Whodunnit?” is the question to be answered during the Detective Classroom Transformation. In this transformation, fourth-graders become detectives for the day as they work to figure out which “teenager” stole the cookie jar. There are posters of multiple teenagers to hang around the room. One of them is the culprit to the sweet crime. Students solve 10 math challenges throughout the day. With each one they complete, they gain a clue that gets them closer to solving the mystery. Not only does this transformation build math skills, but it provides enough fun to motivate your fourth-graders to reach the end of the transformation.

During this transformation, your fourth-grade detectives will practice the following math standards in a series of detective-themed worksheets:

  • All Challenges are Error Analysis!
  • Equivalent Fractions (4.NF.1)
  • Comparing Fractions (4.NF.2)
  • Add and Subtract Fractions (4.NF.3)
  • Fraction Word Problems (4.NF.3)
  • Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers (4.NF.4)
  • Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers (4.NF.3)
  • Convert Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers (4.NF.3)
  • Fractions with Denominators of 10/100 (4.NF.5)
  • Write Fractions as Decimals (4.NF.6)
  • Compare Decimals to Hundredths Place (4.NF.7)

Haunted House Classroom Transformation

Trick or treat? No need to choose– both are included in the Haunted House Classroom Transformation. This is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween while still building an understanding of math concepts. This transformation can’t be done wrong. Set up the included Halloween posters and signs around the classroom to make it feel like a real haunted house. Your fourth graders will solve 10 spooky math challenges. At the end of the day, you can promise a sweet candy reward to students who finish. Thus, motivating them to practice their math skills while aligning with the theme of Halloween.

The Halloween-themed challenges in this transformation test a range of math concepts, which are all editable and easy to differentiate. Accordingly, here are the fourth-grade standards this transformation practices:

  • 4.NBT.1: Place Value
  • 4.NBT.2: Read, Write, Compare Large Numbers
  • 4.NBT.3: Round to Any Place Value
  • 4.NBT.4: Add and Subtract
  • 4.NBT.5: Multiply 4 digit by 1 digit, 3 by 1, and 2 by 2
  • 4.NBT.6: Division with Remainders
  • 4.OA.1: Multiplication Comparison Problems
  • 4.OA.2: Multiplication Word Problems
  • 4.OA.4: Prime and Composite Numbers

Boot Camp Classroom Transformation

Ten-hut! The Boot Camp Classroom Transformation has arrived. Throughout the day, fourth-graders will participate in “boot camp” where they work on practicing with factors and multipls. They will also build recitation skills. Decorate your classroom with the provided boot camp signs and posters to enhance this transformation, or even add your own decorations. Students will have a blast moving around the classroom as they solve math challenges and memorize math facts, sure to remember what they learned long after the day has passed.

Your fourth graders will become fluent in factors and multiples by the end of the day. The standards included are:

  • find factors of a number between 1-100
  • determine if a number is prime or composite
  • find multiples of a number between 1-100
  • identify prime numbers
  • definitions of factor, multiple, prime, composite
  • identify factor pairs
  • error analysis

Beach Classroom Transformation

Now say aloha to Beach Classroom Transformation! The beach itself comes into your classroom during this transformation. It brings excitement and learning enrichment for all fourth-graders. Students travel to Hawaii for the day as they complete 10 beach-themed math challenges. There are beach posters provided to decorate the classroom. You also have the freedom to further decorate your classroom as much as you like. In the past, I’ve purchased leis and ocean banners to make it feel like everyone is truly at the beach. However you decide to complete the transformation, your students will adore it while they work to build their math skills.

Perfect for state testing review, the Beach Classroom Transformation practices the following math standards for your fourth-graders:

  • Measurement (Converting Between Units, Word Problems, Area and Perimeter, Line Plots, Angles, Complementary, Supplementary)
  • Fractions (Equivalent Fractions, Comparing Fractions, Add and Subtract Fractions, Multiply Fractions, Improper Fractions, Mixed Numbers, Decimals, Compare Decimals, Fractions Denominators 10/100)
  • Numbers in Base Ten (Rounding, Comparing Numbers, Place Value, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction)
  • Operations and Algebraic Thinking (Multiplication and Division Word Problems, Factors, Patterns)
  • Geometry (Geometry Terms, Symmetry, Triangles, Classify Shapes)

Camping Classroom Transformation

Bring the outdoors right into your classroom with the Camping Classroom Transformation! Fourth-graders will spend the day “camping” in a room decorated with camping posters, signs, and more. The great thing about the Camping Classroom Transformation is how easy it is to find decorations. Bring camping equipment from your garage to your school. For example, tents and lanterns work great. Make the most out of this transformation! Your students will solve 10 camping-themed math challenges throughout the day. These are perfect for a fun and rigorous review.

The Camping Classroom Transformation practices a myriad of fourth-grade math standards. Accordingly, they are all camping-themed to match. These are editable if you ever need to tweak something to fit the needs of your classroom or differentiate between your students. Below are the standards this transformation reviews:

  • 3 digit by 1 digit division word problems
  • 4 digit by 1 digit division word problems
  • error analysis with division word problems
  • interpreting remainders
  • division problems with remainders
  • division problems without remainders

Candy Shop Classroom Transformation

Introducing Candy Shop Day! Students enter sugar-heaven during the Candy Shop Classroom Transformation. Throughout the day, your fourth-graders will “work” in a candy shop solving 10 candy-themed math challenges. Between the colorful signs and decorations included for you, the transformation comes to life for your students. You can even incorporate some real-world math by rounding with real candy at the end of the day. Thus, it provides a hands-on example of math for your students.

Your fourth-grade candy shop workers will strengthen both their rounding and estimation math skills. The math challenges all have to deal with candy and are perfect for review days. Specifically, here are the standards practiced during this transformation:

  • round to the nearest ten
  • rounding to the nearest hundred
  • round to the nearest thousand
  • rounding to the nearest ten thousand
  • round to the nearest hundred thousand
  • rounding to the nearest million
  • round error analysis
  • rounding on the number line
  • estimation of real-world materials

Doctor Classroom Transformation

You need the Doctor Classroom Transformation, stat! Fourth-graders become surgeons for the day while they solve 10 doctor-themed math challenges around the classroom. There are doctor posters and signs included in the transformation which you can decorate your classroom to make your students feel like real doctors. You can also use easy-to-find items like masks and clipboards to enhance the transformation. This fun environment will inspire your fourth-graders to practice their math skills as well as remember what they learned. Your students will concur.

Which math standards are practiced in the Doctor Classroom Transformation? Below is a list of skills your fourth-graders will take away from the transformation, all learned from various doctor-themed math challenges:

  • write decimals as fractions
  • identify decimals on number lines
  • write fractions as decimals
  • put decimals in word form
  • Problems of Various Levels of Difficult to Provide Differentiation

Pet Hospital Classroom Transformation

Next up is vet day! Fourth-graders become veterinarians for the day during the Pet Hospital Classroom Transformation. Your classroom transforms into a pet hospital where students work to solve 10 sick pets. With each challenge they complete, they save a dog or a turtle until they have completed their job as a veterinarian. There are vet banners and slides included in this transformation for you to decorate your classroom. But, it is also easy to add your own decorations if you want. I purchased a variety of dog balloons for this transformation and allowed each of my students to take one home at the end of the day. Even a cute bunny eraser or a homework pass is a great motivator for fourth-graders to complete this transformation.

Additionally, your fourth-grade veterinarians practice several math concepts during this transformation to save all the pets. Below is a list of the math standards this transformation reviews:

  • multi-digit addition and subtraction multi-step word problems
  • multi-step multiplication and division word problems
  • multi-step word problems

I hope you enjoyed reading about these 4th grade classroom transformations! Whichever one you choose to try out, your fourth-graders will adore it and be inspired to remember important math standards. Any amount of excitement during learning can make the difference between a student floundering or thriving in their education. A classroom transformation is perfect for that very reason.

Are you new to this idea and ready to try a classroom transformation? I’m here to help! Be sure to check out my additional posts with classroom transformation tips. Follow me on Instagram where I share even more resources and tips for teachers.

Want to add some fun decorations to your next room transformation? I’ve got you covered right here with my Classroom Transformation Decoration Lists!

Looking to try out a room transformation but not sure where to start? Come join us in the Classroom Transformations with the Lifetime Learner Facebook Group to grab a free video game-themed room transformation for K-5!

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