Stress-Free Ways to Create Functional Classroom Decor
Classroom bulletin boards offer an easy way to create functional decor in your room. I love to swap out my bulletin boards seasonally, but I often find myself with the same bulletin board design for several months after the season or holiday ends. Anyone else? With these 10 classroom bulletin board tips, you can create and store your materials to make setting up each board easy and stress-free!
Teaching virtually? You can use these tips to create a virtual backdrop to display behind you during online teaching.
Use fabric instead of paper to cover your bulletin board.
Fabric will not fad as quickly as paper and it also does not tear. With fabric, staple holes are not as visible when you change out your designs. Ribbon is also a great substitute for traditional paper borders.
Make your bulletin board letters straight using painter’s tape.
There is nothing more frustrating than having to redo your letters because they are off-center or not straight. Here’s the perfect solution! Lay your letters on the floor. Once you have your message in order, put a long strip of painter’s tape across the letters and lightly press it onto the letters. Pick up the tape on each end with the letters attached. Transfer the letters to your bulletin board. Staple the letters to the board and remove the tape.
Use a black Sharpie to color the staples to make them less visible.
If you are using black letters, you can color the staples with a black Sharpie to “hide” them.
Stick with thick, bold fonts!
Thicker fonts will be easier to cut by hand or when using a cutting machine. Learn more about the best fonts for bulletin board letters and access a step-by-step tutorial for cutting letters on a Cricut.
Make your bulletin board interactive.
Use clothes pins on your board to easily change out the vocabulary on the board, making it more interactive for your students. You can also create a pocket on the board to store additional weekly targets.
Use student work to create your display.
No need to overthink your design for your bulletin boards, allow your students to help! This will make it less stressful for you and your students will love seeing their work displayed in the classroom.
Limit seasonal bulletin boards.
Hear me out! You acknowledged in the beginning that you find that your fall-themed bulletin board is STILL up in April, right? So, to make it easier for you, try a space theme or just use a bright color palate! This will allow you to keep the bulletin board up longer!
Laminate your bulletin board letters and graphics.
I know that this is one extra step, but this will allow you to re-use the materials several times.
Store your bulletin board materials in clear project case.
These 12×12 project cases are perfect for storing bulletin board letters and images. The clear case allows you to easily see the contents inside.
Use classroom bulletin board kits.
These bulletin board kits have everything you need to create an eye-catching display in your classroom or hallway. From letters to borders to banners, this kit has it all. No need to spend time searching for all the bulletin board elements when I have it all in this kit.
I hope these 10 bulletin board tips were helpful. I can’t wait to see what you create for your classroom.
FAQs
Create a visually appealing design that grabs attention and encourages students to explore further. Use vibrant colors, high-quality images, and visually appealing fonts to make your bulletin board visually engaging. Consider incorporating borders, headings, and 3D elements to add depth and interest.
What to put on a bulletin board in your classroom? ›
Here's a list of 15 creative bulletin board ideas you may consider using in your classroom:
- Word wall. A word wall is a bulletin board in the classroom that introduces unfamiliar words and their definitions. ...
- Literary genres. ...
- Alphabet boards. ...
- Inspirational quotes. ...
- hom*ophones. ...
- Emoji. ...
- Classroom rules. ...
- Bucket fillers.
Create a visually appealing design that grabs attention and encourages students to explore further. Use vibrant colors, high-quality images, and visually appealing fonts to make your bulletin board visually engaging. Consider incorporating borders, headings, and 3D elements to add depth and interest.
What makes a bulletin board attractive? ›
Make It Attractive
Make it interactive and engaging if you want students to pay attention to your bulletin board. For this, you can use fabric clips, colorful sketch pens, and even create different pockets to store information. All in all, use your creativity to make your bulletin board as interactive as possible.
How do you make a simple bulletin board? ›
To make a bulletin board, start by getting some cork or cardboard. Then, cut a piece of fabric that's 4-6 inches longer than the board on each side. After you've cut the fabric, lay the board face down on the back of the fabric and attach the edges of the fabric to the back of the board with tape or glue.
How to make a notice board stand out? ›
Use Black Sharpie to Outline: Use a black Sharpie to create bold outlines, making important information stand out and enhancing readability. Make It Attractive: Incorporate colors, graphics, and themes that engage students, making the notice board visually appealing and inviting.
What are the qualities of a good bulletin board? ›
The board should be at eye level, include color, be durable, and have clear directions about how to interact with it. An interactive bulletin board does students no good if they cannot reach it. When planning such a board, make sure that it is at their eye level and easily accessible for young hands.
How can I improve my bulletin board? ›
How Teachers Can Maintain An Effective Bulletin Board
- Provide Clear Directions On Bulletin Board.
- Add Color.
- Make It Durable.
- Put It At Eye Level.
- Use What You Have On Hand.
- Choose a Classroom Theme.
- What Stays And What Changes? Organization Is Key For A Perfect Bulletin Board.
- Start Before You End.
There are four main types or categories of bulletin boards that can (and should) be utilized in the classroom including child-created, decorative, conceptual, and interactive. Child-created bulletin boards are an effective tool used in the display of student's work—art projects, writing prompts, science projects, etc.
How to make a faux bulletin board for a classroom? ›
Bulletin Board Alternative #1:
Use a roll of cork backing to construct your own DIY bulletin board. Simply cut the size you'd like your bulletin board to be and then attach to the wall using command strips. You can place several lengths of cork side-by-side to create any size you want.
Most bulletin boards are plain. They consist of a simple wooden frame with an even simpler cork board. Your board does not have to be so simple. You can paint it or cover it with fabric to make it even more special.
How do you make straight lines on a bulletin board? ›
Keeping the lines straight
By putting string across the board, right next to the place you want your whiteboard tape to go, you can mark out your lines before you put down the sticky tape. String can be removed in moments; tape, not so much.
What to write on a bulletin board? ›
You can display student work, offer guidance on specific subject matter, or give encouragement. You can also show student goals, organize classroom procedures, and use them as a communication device for parents and students. No matter how you use bulletin boards, they're a central component of most classrooms.
What do teachers use to write on the board? ›
Blackboard or whiteboard
It allows you to write information on the board for students to read during your lessons, such as key points or examples, with a piece of chalk.
What to put on classroom walls? ›
The takeaway: Classroom walls should feel warm and lively but not overcrowded—keep 20 to 50 percent of the wall space clear, and fill the rest with student work, inspiring pictures, and learning aids.
