Tricks of the Trade Thursday- Bulletin Boards

I saw a new Linky by Compassionate Teacher and Joy in the Journey called Tricks of the Trade. I think this is a great idea to help new teachers and just teachers who want new ideas!

Time for an honest confession, I am the WORST bulletin board decorator. I have a storage system in which I have TONS of stuff stored to make all kinds of bulletin boards, yet in the box my decorations normally stay.

Tip #1:  I like my boxes, but they are boxes. If you want something that will last a long time, buy something made of a longer lasting material than cardboard.



Tip #2: Buy a flat staple remover. They are only a couple bucks, but make pulling staples so much easier. No more ripping things to shreds with "the claw."  It also catches the staples as you pull them. Brilliant invention!

Tip #3- If you want things to last go with fabric behind the board and laminate everything especially the border and store bought decorations. You want the money you spent on your stuff to last.

Tip #4- Make boards that serve a purpose versus just looking cute. I love cute boards with fun themes, but I barely have time to look at my boards let alone change them out each week or even once a month. Boards with a purpose will be used much more often and will seem like a better use of your time.

With those few tips shared, here are a few pics.

This is my bulletin board in the hallway. The students tweet about Genre using this board. The board has stayed the same since December, but I update the tweets every so often.







 

 

This is my CAFE Reading board. I know it looks a little busy. It's a work in process. If you'll notice the background is a fabric. This fabric has been used for five years and still looks awesome. The content on the board changes, but the cute fabric stays.

 

This is probably the board that gets used the most in my room. It actually isn't even a bulletin board, but a chalk board at the back of my room. I covered it in fabric using hot glue and magnets. Voila, bulletin board! My students check in each morning using the stars which have magnets on the back. The stars have their numbers on them, so I can reuse them every year. I'm all about saving money. Also, my calendar numbers are put on using paper clips. You simply poke a hole, thread half the paper clip through, and then slip the number in the clip. It makes it super fast and easy to change out the calendar.

Like I said before, I am such a lazy bulletin board decorator, but I thought my few tips might help others have an easier time as they create beautiful works of art. Decorate on, you creative people you!