Create "Purposeful" Bulletin Boards to Drive Student Engagement
In the past, moving into a new school year, I googled ideas for the best bulletin boards. Ideas that I thought would set my bulletin boards apart from others. I selected the most fantastic theme, purchased the best quality bulletin board paper and the cutest border, and created and cut out the prettiest letters. While all the long, I was missing what was truly important – how student-centered my bulletin boards were over how cute my bulletin boards were. Don’t get me wrong, bulletin boards bring a certain beauty to the classroom.
However, after years of creating beautiful bulletin boards with bells and whistles, I realize that my bulletin boards were nothing more than eye-catching props that quickly got old and became irrelevant to my students. As the years went on, I began to change how I used bulletin boards in my classroom. I learned that bulletin boards could be an AWESOME student resource and learning tool. I believe in “Creating Purposeful Bulletin Boards to Drive Student Engagement” in the classroom, no matter the grade or content. Now, I am very strategic when creating my Boards in my classroom.
My classroom has multiple bulletin boards, so I reserve one to display student work. I use the other Boards to engage students academically.
You may be wondering, how can I create a purposeful bulletin board using an idea I already have for my classroom? It’s simple so let’s explore.
1.Identify the purpose for your bulletin board.
You can identify the purpose of your bulletin board by asking yourself a couple of questions. Why am I putting my bulletin board up? Am I putting up my bulletin board for decoration, to display student work, to be informative/conceptual, or for student interaction? For example, I have used my bulletin board to display the class calendar, class news, or welcoming students back to school. By using my bulletin board this way, I missed out on countless opportunities to create a purposeful and meaningful bulletin board for my students. Over time, my students could barely recognize the bulletin board in my classroom. I have learned it is very important to have a clear understanding of why you are creating your bulletin board.
2. Identify ways students can use your board academically.
You can identify ways your bulletin board can engage your students academically by asking yourself these questions. How can my board be used to help my students learn the content? How can my board idea(s) be used to provide meaningful information and/or concepts to my students? How can my students interact with my board? In my classroom, I remember using my bulletin board as a word wall as we explored specific units in Science. The words were stapled to the bulletin board. I became so concerned with my students destroying the board, they rarely had a chance to use the word wall. Over the years, I have gotten wiser and started using Velcro, so my students can remove the words freely as they use them while exploring the content.
Another way I use my bulletin boards academically is to create fun interactive games and activities. For example, I created “Roll It” as a FUN way to differentiate instructions while allowing students some CHOICE. To play “ROLL IT” students: 1.) Roll their dice. 2.) Select any activity sheet from the numbered envelope that their dice matches. 3.) Complete that activity sheet from the matching numbered envelope. 4.) Place the activity sheet at the back of their dice matching numbered envelope. Students may roll the dice to complete as many activities as they like.
I used envelopes so students could easily pull activities sheets from the number envelopes. Students may interact with this board hassle-free. I added the small mirrors as self-reflection pieces as we explore PBIS or character-building lessons. The “Roll It” bulletin board is multifunctional.
3. Identify how often will you update your bulletin board
You can identify how often your will update or change your bulletin board by questioning yourself these questions. Have my students completed the assigned task? Have my students met or exceeded their current academic expectations using this board? Will my students use the same information or concepts in an upcoming lesson? I find that the information or the concepts in Science often stretch across specific standards. Since this happens frequently, I use push pens on my bulletin boards. This allows me to change out parts of my boards without replacing the entire board.
Let's Roll It
Roll It Pocket Folders
Using pushpins to attach the pocket folders to my bulletin board is an excellent way to prevent me from destroying the folders and the bulletin board. The colorful words I purchased from Targets are the main components of the bulletin board because the words detailed what the students will do. Using velcro keeps the words and bubbles in place. The velcro and the pushpins make my bulletin board highly functional as I am able to change portions of my bulletin board as we moved from one lesson to another.
Roll It Pack
This Roll It pack includes a die in addition to other materials students need to complete various tasks.
Sample of a Roll It Task
The Understanding Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes Stations task is an Explore It. No task are in the bulletin board folder pockets due to remote instruction. Task such as this would be inserted into the pockets for student selection.
Roll It-
Digital Option
Students will still roll their dice. However, students will click on choice(s). Those choices will appear on a separate Google slide or in the students’ assigned learning platform for their completion.
As you can see, creating a purposeful bulletin board does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. Your bulletin board can be a tool that may build on your students’ academic success. Your bulletin board can add value to your classroom academically. Even with the fancy bells and whistles, you can create a purposeful bulletin board that your students will love to use throughout the lesson.
Hello,
I'm Tallulakie
Our infinite purpose and passion are to help teachers ignite critical thinking, creativity, and ingenuity, and inspire innovation through STEM and STEAM education, so the minds and lives of children are changed.
We Teach! We Reach! We Lead! We Consult! We are Game Changers!
Checkout Our Corridor Classroom Services
Let The Kids Corridor Super Science Fun® Guide You By Meeting The Science Academic Needs Of Your Students Through Personalized Coaching, Instructional Planning, Science and STEM Professional Learning, STEM/STEAM Facilitation, and more.
Be Inspire to Teach, Reach, Lead! Be a Game Changer!
SHOP THE TKC STORE
If you want cool Science toys, kits, and lab supplies for school or home, shop our SSF Toys Store. In our Sweet Sweet Chemistry, find that “PERFECT” sweet treat for that special someone. In the Super Science Junkie Funkie Apparel, you will find “funkie” Science gear for all Science “junkies”. Shop our TKC Store you will be sure to find SUPER SCIENCE FUN merchandise for all learning environments and occasions.
FREE INTRODUCTION TO MATTER GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS
Check out these awesome graphic organizers for free when you click the link below. They are great for opening or closing any lesson.
Let's Get STEAMED!
The Kids Corridor STEM and STEAM Enrichment Program
Looking to find engaging, rigorous, and FUN resources checkout of our session in The Kids Corridor STEM and STEAM Enrichment Program.
