At the beginning of the year, I put up my felt fabric background on my bulletin boards. Next, I put up my borders. These backgrounds and borders can last for multiple years. Therefore, they are cost effective, and they allow me to not spend as much time changing backgrounds and borders because what teachers have time for bulletin boards anyways with everything else.
This board is outside my classroom. It has my favorite theme, Harry Potters. I used card stock and string for the Hogwarts Banner. I used the school’s die-cut maker for all the letters. I bought the mirrors at the dollar tree. I printed and laminated the words: choices, grades, success, words, and actions. I also printed and laminated my schedule and a list of my favorite things. Lastly, I printed and laminated a few extra Harry Potter images.
I have my students complete Cornell Notes after reading as one type of notes . I keep this up in case they forget the format. The essential question label is missing, but I added it later. It was lost for a bit.
I created this Espresso Yourself in Writing board because writing seems to be the most difficult task for my students. I posted MLA rules for papers and works cited pages. Also, I put sample transitions in a Starbucks cup and the writing process on a pencil made of card stock. Lastly, I had outlines of the 3 types of writing I teach: Argumentative, Narrative, and Informative/Explanatory.
The Reading Literature Challenge was purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers. The goal is to encourage students to read outside of class for extra credit. For each book read they receive 5 extra credit points towards reading, and for each writing assignment attached they get 5 points towards writing. I created this trolley for students who forget materials. I bought the trolley from Target and printed and taped the words “Anything off the trolley dears?” on to the trolley. This continues the Harry Potter theme I have outside.
The last Bulletin Board I have to show is my calendar board to the right. I have my calendar, rules, and syllabi posted on this board. I also have taped off sections on the white board for standards, learning goals, and schedule for the day. I had another board on the side of my class where I would write the homework for the week.
Lastly, I have unit boards in the back of my classroom which would change with my units. I have a 6th grade English board to the left. It includes the standards, objectives, schedule, pictures, and vocab for that unit. It is also where I display student work. Furthermore, I had a Bible board because I was teaching Bible at the time. It includes the books of the Bible and a Verse of the Month.
Overall, I try to create boards that can remain all year long. My goal is to change my boards as little as possible. As an English teacher, I choose to focus on grading essays and lesson planning. Bulletin boards come very low on my to-do list, so I try my best to create boards that can stay year around.
Ashleigh Marie: Teacher to Mommy 