Building a classroom community involves building student-teacher relationships, engaging students in meaningful activities, and creating a space where students feel welcomed, valued, and comfortable. One way to accomplish this is by creating a colorful and warm environment with bulletin boards. Those colorful and warm environments don't just stop in the classroom, however. We can continue to make students feel valued and appreciated by making the whole school an inviting space. School-wide bulletin board displays give us the opportunity to do just that!
Decorating those boring bulletin boards is an easy way to display student work around the school and add some extra cheer to hallways. Teachers can sign up for a time to showcase their students' work on the board. If your school setting is small, you can have teachers sign up for one month of the year. If you have a larger school, you can have grade levels sign up together to create a grade level display.
Make the bulletin board titles universal so any type of student work can be displayed throughout the school year. I started making this bulletin board by laying down some blue bulletin board paper. Create a bulletin border by layering two scallop borders on top of each other. Finish off the board with an Out of this World Garland and the phrase "Our Work Is Out of This World". Download the FREE letter printables here.
When students see their work displayed outside of the classroom it will give them a sense of pride.
They won't be able to get enough of these catchy puns. Lay down black bulletin board paper then add a Funtastic Food Friends Border. But the element that really makes this board are the Jumbo Funtastic Food Friends Cutouts! Grab the free downloadable food puns here!
Students will know that their work is up for their entire school community to appreciate, not just their classmates. Create this display with these cute Tutti Frutti Hanging Fans and the free printable "Sweet Work" letters here.
Inspirational quote boards also help to create a school-wide sense of community.
Display quotes around different parts of your school encouraging students to keep a growth mindset, treat others with kindness, and to try their hardest. These cute sloths are sure to catch your students' (and staff members') attention! I was so happy when I was able to pair the Sloth Bulletin Board Borders and Sloth Cutouts with Weathered Wood Paper! I love the way it turned out. This sloth bulletin board quote can be downloaded for free here.
You can also encourage both primary and upper-grade students with a board made from the Rainbow of Possibilities Bulletin Board Set or a board that uses the Confetti Classroom Bulletin Board Set.
If you don't have a lot of space to create quote boards, then use motivational posters on a bulletin board. This is a quick and easy way to create a space that is inviting and encouraging.
I displayed these Rustic Classroom Posters near our administrators' offices, and the STEAM Careers Mini Bulletin Board Set is displayed in our multi-purpose room for all students to see.
These posters grab students' attention and also add color and happiness to our school's walls. The Be You Motivational Poster Set is posted in front of our bathrooms for our upper-grade students, and the Watercolor Posters are used outside of our primary students' bathroom.
Creating spaces around campus that are colorful and inviting is beneficial for your students and helps them take more pride in their school community.
