Steps to a Successful Bulletin Board

1. Cover the area with a gigantic sheet of colored butcher paper.
And find a good friend to help you :) [Thanks B!] Simultaneous stapling and positioning of the paper can prove to be quite challenging on your own.

2. Decide on a creative phrase to define your theme.
(Heads up - following is an important tip) Laminate whole pieces of cardstock paper first, then di-cut the individual letters from the pre-laminated paper. Doing it this way will save you so much time and effort! If you've ever spent time cutting out each individual letter from a sheet of lamination then you can understand how valuable this piece of advice is.

3. Tap into your artistic side and muster up something cutesy to stand as a central focus for the display.
If you're not very artistic or simply don't have the energy, purchase something pre-made at Dollar Tree. (More on the goodness of DT in a future post.)

4. Laminate anything and everything you can before it is displayed.
In my opinion, this is a must. Well, at least for those of who plan to save their bulletin board creations and rehang them next year. Do yourself a favor - reuse. And don't think you'll get away with preserving anything you choose to hang in the hallway if it has not been sealed with the protection of laminate. Elementary students looove to run their hands along the hallway walls when then think their teacher isn't watching. If they happen to tear or damage something in the act, it doesn't phase them one bit.

5. Don't neglect the details!
Finding the "just right" position for this snowman's arms was quite fun :) B and I felt this particular stance was very diva-esque. I imagined the snowman saying "hoollleer!" in a very sorority girlish tone of voice. (I'm easily entertained.)

6. No bulletin board is complete without trimmer.
Trimmer is like a nice belt. Imagine, if you will, a man wearing slacks and a collared shirt. Without a belt, he looks presentable. With a belt, he looks professional.
(Did I just pull that analogy out of thin air? Yes. But I'm going with it!)
7. Student work is what makes a bulletin board SPECIAL!
Making your students a part of the design is possibly the most important step. If their work or creation is integrated somehow into the display it makes them feel good! It also grows pride for their quality of work, and lets them know that you think their effort is important.
Each snowflake on this bulletin board was made by my students after we learned about the lifework of Snowflake Bentley. (And, yes, I laminated them too.)
(The snowflakes, not the students.)


A special thank you to BK for her help creating this wintery display! Work is always more fun with friends :)