Posts tagged "bulletin boards"

Classroom Decorations – Questions to Ask as You Set Up

Classroom decorations are one of the first things to come off the shelves when you step into your classroom after summer vacation.  Putting up those bulletin boards, charts and posters, and pocket charts not only help you physically define your teaching spaces, but they also mentally prepare you to get back into the teaching mode.  When you are deciding where to put your classroom decorations, think about how you want your class to operate.  Here are the questions that I ask myself as I put up my classroom decorations.

1. What information do the students need to have access to everyday? In my first grade class, we utilize the daily schedule, center pocket chart, and classroom calendar.  These organizational tools are introduced on the very first day.  Since I use these classroom decorations as teaching tools, I really put some thought into buying the products that best fit my needs.  Some are posters others are pocket charts.
2. What classroom decorations are going to be seasonal? This is a question that I ponder every year.  I enjoy having some seasonal displays, but I really need to decide how often I am going to change my bulletin boards.  I like to put up displays that will last more than one month.
3. What items should I laminate? I don’t laminate all of my charts and posters because it can be both costly and time consuming.  I really try to only laminate those items that will be highly used by the kids.
4. Where will my main teaching area be? I define my main teaching area before I do anything else in the classroom.  I don’t want my displays to be a distraction, so I carefully balance that main area with some plain space so it will not be overwhelming to students.

How do you think about setting up your classroom decorations?  We would love to hear your tips and ideas.

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Classroom Bulletin Boards – Make a Statement

Classroom bulletin boards should make a statement and get everyone excited for learning.  Face it, as families walk into your classroom for the first time, what will they see?  Will they see a plain and simple classroom bulletin board, or will they see a bulletin board with some style?  You can set the mood for your learning environment and these simple steps will help you.

1. Think about a theme for the year -   Several years ago for my first grade class, I did a “Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom”  theme.  So, right outside my door I made a coconut tree and then wrote the title, “Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom Look Who’s in my Room.”  I then used the  letters of each student’s first name, and put them around the tree. What theme would your class enjoy?  Think about that and pick some classroom bulletin boards sets that will contribute to the theme.
2. Pick a focal point in your classroom – Is there are area of your classroom where you will meet everyday?  Make your special teaching corner fun.  Your classroom bulletin boards should reflect your style.  There is no doubt that you will be spending a lot of time looking at your classroom bulletin boards.  One of my coworkers loved the ocean, so every year she would add to her ocean bulletin board sets.
3. Don’t just look at them, teach with them – Classroom bulletin boards can be incorporated into learning experiences.  From calendar time to language arts activities, they can help students gain math skills and inspire writing activities.

As you begin your back to school shopping, think about how you can make your classroom reflect you and provide a warm, inspiring learning environment for your students.  Make your classroom shine on back to school night!

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