Bulletin boards are a fun way to keep learning fun and fresh in the classroom. The best bulletin boards are interactive and change frequently throughout the year. While it may be more convenient to design the bulletin boards in the classroom to be relevant all year through, some change and rotation is healthy.
How to Maximize Bulletin Board Space in the Classroom
A classroom has limited bulletin board space based on configuration. There are some learning displays that should be considered as more important than others depending on the grade. When planning on how to use the available space, teachers should consider how they plan on using the space during the day so that the higher priority displays get the premium space. Here are some examples of high priority displays that should be used on a daily basis in various classrooms:
Preschool and early elementary: A morning meeting area of the classroom should include a wall display of a calendar, weather information, a hundred’s chart and other similar display ideas. Please remember in this type of bulletin board display to not overwhelm the students with too much visual information.
Elementary classrooms: An interactive word wall is an important use of space as students in these grades will be expanding their vocabulary and spelling abilities on a daily basis. Adding new vocabulary words with lesson plan introductions will help reinforce both the lesson concept as well as the importance of correct spelling.
Secondary Classrooms: Subject specific classes will benefit from a word wall, while home rooms may benefit more from moral lessons on display.
How Often to Change a Bulletin Board Display
Visual displays often become overlooked after a time even when used frequently during lessons. It is important, therefore, for teachers to routinely change up the displays in the classroom so that students continue to benefit from them.
One way to utilize a rotating bulletin board space is to pick a theme for each month. This might rotate between subjects in the elementary classroom or follow unit themes in the secondary classroom. Here are some examples of how to do this:
Rotating between subjects – Each subject specific display should focus on general skills pertinent to every student. For example, in math, the bulletin board can focus on improving basic facts; science displays can reinforce the scientific method.
Rotating between units in the same subject – There most likely will not be enough board space to display something for each subject at the same time at the elementary level, so prioritize with the space available. A reading unit display might focus on a new author or genre each month, while a math display may focus on the most difficult concepts needing reinforcement during that month.
Teachers should consider a bulletin board as a way to reinforce or add to a lesson instead of being separate from lessons. By incorporating the classroom displays into the lesson, students will learn more and enjoy learning more at the same time.
Related information on Bulletin boards:
The Importance of Creative Bulletin Boards – A discussion on bulletin boards as well as many examples of incorporating bulletin boards into the classroom.
Winter Bulletin Boards – Celebrate the cold months with these season specific bulletin board ideas.
Bulletin Board Ideas for Teachers – A collection of ideas for both holiday and non-specific bulletin boards for classrooms.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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