Classroom bulletin boards are something that teachers either really like doing or really hate making. The love-hate relationship is mainly due to the amount of time and effort that go in to making a bulletin board.
A regular classroom teacher has to write lesson plans, call parents, grade papers and, of course, teach. Most teachers have great ideas for a colorful bulletin board on their to-do list, but some just cannot find the time to execute them.
Ready-made Bulletin Boards to Purchase
Many teachers are not wealthy. However, if a bulletin board will be used several times and can be laminated to avoid tears and wear, buying pre-make bulletin boards can save so much time. Some teachers may feel shocked at this tip. However, time is important and needs to be spent wisely. Is it more important to die cut 30 flowers and 25 bunnies or is better to get a lesson plan perfected for an upcoming observation by the principal?
Staples.com and Trendenterprises.com have a variety of bulletin boards already colored and die-cut. The teacher only needs to staple the shapes to the bulletin board.
Student Made Bulletin Boards
For a cheaper alternative, teachers can involve their students. Thirty sets of hands are quicker and more efficient than one set of hands. Students generally like helping with bulletin board tasks, and they can take ownership in the final product.
Students can make pieces for bulletin boards and they can put them together. The types of bulletin boards can connect to classroom rules, student birthdays or content in the classroom.
Classroom Rules Bulletin Board
For example, some teachers work with the class of students to make classroom rules. Sometimes, the list of rules becomes quite long when students are allowed to help decide.
After students have decided on a list of rules, each student can write a rule on a piece of construction paper and decorate it. A trustworthy student can die-cut the letters for the title or create them on the computer. Then a small group of assigned students can staple everything on the bulletin board.
Birthday and Content Bulletin Boards
A birthday bulletin board can be left up the entire year. The teacher can make a large cake where the month can be changed. Each student can make a candle with his or her name and birth date written neatly. A small group of responsible students can be in charge of changing the cake monthly.
For content in the classroom, students can be divided in small groups at the beginning of the year and assigned a bulletin board to design on the curriculum being studied. The teacher will need to make a list of dates when each group will design the bulletin board. The teacher can assign it as a quiz grade and should help students with ideas.
Bulletin boards take energy and time to complete. Teachers can get use these tips to lessen the amount of time planning or even making one.
Kellie Hayden - She is a 19 year veteran teacher with a master's degree in education and NBCT, 2000. Kellie teaches 8th grade language arts, TAG and ...
Join the Conversation