At the beginning of the year, teachers can spend a lot of time thinking about what to put on their bulletin boards. Rules and guidelines are always popular. For elementary teachers, something that has pictures of the kids is always a hit. But what if you want to change things up a bit this year? Here are some ideas outside the mainstream.
Book reviews
Have the students write a short review of any book they finish during the year on a Post-It note, then slap it up on the board. When another student is struggling to find some outside reading, simply send them over to the board to see what their classmates liked.
The good times
School years can be a roller coaster. When a moment of success or hilarity comes, have someone write it out (or take a picture), then post it up on the board so everyone can remember the good times on those bad days.
App recommendations
If you use a suite of apps in your classroom, print out the icons and put them up on the board in the shape of a phone. Students who need some tech help getting their work done will know where to look.
Genius hour
Many classes have implemented a special time in which students get to work on what interests them rather than what the curriculum says. Students who have ideas on what to do during this time should post them up on this board to help the unmotivated kids.
Goals
Have the students write out a goal or three that they have for the school year, then post them up. Being reminded of a goal consistently makes it much more likely to be accomplished.
Parking lot
Keep a space set aside where students can post what they understood from the day’s lesson and what they still have questions about. Check it at the end of the day for some quick formative assessment.
The goal is to make your bulletin boards not just decorative, but functional spaces in your room. There are few spaces seen by everybody every day, so make the most of them.
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