Bulletin Board Ideas

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Attach With Velcro 
Submitted by: Karen
Attaching velcro to posters and fabric will make your life easier if you do not have the traditional bulletin boards. The one warning with velcro is to make sure that you are consistent with hard or soft sides to the wall and to your poster.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Border 
Submitted by: K Miller
I staple Christmas lights around the board and then cover it in tulle.
Grade Level(s): all

Borders 
Submitted by: Christina Curtis
In addition to the fabric backgrounds – don’t forget about fabric borders. Walmart, cloth and dollar stores sell fabric borders – fuzzy, tassles, metallic, etc. I recently used a sequined border to post homecoming pictures. They were sewn to an elastic band so it was quick and easy to put up as well as take down. Simply remove staples and store. They also sell borders with beads that my students loved. They cost a little more than paper, but can be reused for years.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Borders of Interest 
Submitted by: LARRIE NORRIS
I use pictures from the year before as a border so children have an idea of activities that they will be doing this year. Students become excited about upcoming lessons. I make certain that I keep a camera with me and shoot any moments of excitable teaching. Students from the year before come back to look at their pictures and remember when those activities took place.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Bullentin Board Borders 
Submitted by: A. Mitchell- Williams
A great idea for a border is wide ribbon. The ribbon comes already decorated or plain depending on your theme.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Bulletin Backgrounds 
Submitted by: s carroll
Instead of putting up fabric or paper each year to cover my bulletin boards, I painted them with primary colors. It was quick and easy to do and if I want to paper over them I can.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Bulletin Board Border Storage 
Submitted by: Christopher
I use those over the door shoe storage things to store my rolls of bulletin board border. They are much cheaper than any commercial storage system and most of them have clear pockets so you don’t have to HUNT for the border you want or need.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Bulletin Board Covers 
Submitted by: Judy Kaegi, 5th grade teacher
A really inexpensive way to cover and create colorful bulletin board backgrounds is to use rectangular, plastic tablecloths. These usually cost about 1 dollar and they can be used over and over again. Also I have purchased Thanksgiving and Christmas paper tablecloths for bulletin board backgrounds. They are super!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Bulletin Boards 
Submitted by: Jennifer, Special Ed.
I have used wrapping paper for bulleting boards. Buy a roll at a dollar store and just throw it away at the end of the year!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Burlap Fabric as Bulletin Board Backing 
Submitted by: Sue S., Kindergarten
I use burlap fabric as bulletin board backing. It’s “woven” appearance doesn’t show holes left by staples or pins. The color is neutral and is especially good for Fall themes. I have used the same piece of burlap for many years and it still looks great!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Cheap and Fun! 
Submitted by: Mylia R., 2nd
As a border this year, I used foil muffin cups. Turn them inside out then staple! It is very eye catching and CHEAP!! Also, you can laminate foil or just use it as is for the background. It gives the “water” look for a GREAT ocean unit!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Cheap Bulletin Board Border 
Submitted by: M. Keller
Buy a few rolls of adding machine tape, and decorate it to fit your theme. The teacher I got this idea from (thanks, Bryna!) used it for a clown bulletin board-She put adding machine tape all around the edges of the bulletin board, and stapled die-cut clowns all around it. To use it again every year, glue the shapes to the adding machine tape and laminate before you hang it up!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8

Creating a sense of belonging 
Submitted by: TribesRJPteach, Grade Level(s): Primary K-3
Using doubles of photographs The students create desk name tags and also create a bulletin board that visually highlights them throughout the year. Classroom helpers and supply teachers can quickly identify them and also know where they sit. This is easier than referring to a seating plan. The students also feel a sense of pride and belonging. The first day and when a student joins our classroom, also at the start of each new term I take a photograph of each student. I get a double set of prints and in art I have the students create a name tag for their desk , which I then laminate with their picture on it. The students also decorate 4 popsicle sticks to create a square frame. They cut the photograph to fit and glue it behind the frame. Using a strip of velcro glued onto the back the student ads their picture to the ME & MY CLASSMATES Bulletin Board where I have placed velcro for them beside their name. We also keep the pictures at the end of each term and add them as boarders to work we have completed bulletin boards throughout the year. At the end of the year they can see how much they have changed and all 3 go home with their scrapbook portfolio of the year!

Creative Borders 
Submitted by: Bunny, All grades
Write on sentence strips praise words and student names to use on your word wall as borders. Also, use newspaper as background paper for word wall and students work.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Easy & Attractive Border 
Submitted by: Stephanie Walke, pre-K
For an easy top border, just cut clouds out of white copier paper. This works for any outdoor scene–summer, winter, spring, or fall. (Good for a science room.)
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8

Easy Border 
Submitted by: Reba Owen
I too like to use fabric to cover my boards. I staple the fabric up and then trim the board in wide ribbon to enhance the look. Works great and last forever.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Easy Bulletin Borders 
Submitted by: Candy, first grade
I use wallpaper border as a border on my bulletin boards. I also use it around my room as decoration. You can find inexpensive border at dollar stores.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fabric Background 
Submitted by: Karen, 3rd grade
I use cotton fabric for background. It fits well, brightens the room and lasts forever. I have one piece I have used for 15 years. I just shake it out and wash it when the year is over and reuse it. It still looks great.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fabric Borders 
Submitted by: Susan, all
Purchase fabric to coordinate with your background. Carefully laminate the fabric. (You may need to cut the width of the fabric in half so it will fit through the laminator.) Cut into 12″ by 4″ pieces. Use an Ellison die cut to create a border for your bulletin board. These borders will last forever!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fabric on Bulletin Boards 
Submitted by: Lynn
I, too, like to use fabric as a bulletin board cover, but we were cautioned by the fire marshall that any fabric used in this way had to be treated with flame retardant.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fabric Theme Material 
Submitted by: Rebecca Ryan, 7/8
At the end of every month I often visit the local fabric store to look at printed fabric on sale. They often have inexpensive fabric with holiday designs (Halloween, Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.) I teach history, and surprisingly, I can find material with historical prints on them, too. It’s a great way to save money, and the material can be used for many years to come!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fabric, fabric, fabric 
Submitted by: Ivy, 2
Four years ago I purchased fabric of bright colors to use on my bulletin boards. It has been wonderful. I continue to use the same fabric year after year. All I do is wash the fabric at the end of each school year. The fabric looks like new and has no holes in it from staples. Save time and money go buy fabric and have fun.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fall Bulletin Board 
Submitted by: Dianne Kimiak
I work at a child development center and have a great ideal for the fall. When the leaves started to change we went on a walk and collected very colorful leaves. Then I took bulletin board paper and crumpled it and made a tree trunk and branches. We then taped the leaves on the tree with a pile at the bottom. I let the kids color squirrels and put a picture of them with their name on it. It was the cutest thing.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5

Felt works great! 
Submitted by: Boo, 2
I use felt that I have purchased at a discount fabric store for the background. I laminate the accents I use on the board and put a small piece of velcro (self stick kind) on the back. The accents stick great and there are no staples to worry about. The felt lasts forever and makes the room kind of warm and fuzzy looking.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Fish Theme 
Submitted by: Unknown
Cover bulletin board with blue butcher paper, place a net on the blue paper, pinning it up in different directions. Place all kinds of tropical and colorful fish scattering them all around the board. You may place some brown butcher paper (cut in wave shape) at the bottom 1/4 of the bulletin, cover it with irredescent celophane, put some Spanish moss or Easter grass slightly sticking out the celophane for seaweed. You might also put some silk leaves for seaweed. It looks beautiful! You need to try it! I have set up my library area like this and it makes the place so inviting for the students as well as a peaceful scene to read.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5

Fourth of July 
Submitted by: Michele, Special Ed.
I got a cheap red and white paper table cloth for the background, and used blue paper plates to write out the word CELEBRATE (1 letter to 1 plate) I then had the kids give 1 word that made them think of the 4th of July. BBQ’s picnics parades fireworks etc. I set up a picnic table on my bulletin board. Added paper cups and used big red white and blue ribbons on the corners. It was cute.
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5, 6-8

Hog Wild About Pigs 
Submitted by: Cindy Frady, 3
I used one bulletin board with a big barn that says “Learning Down on the Farm”. On another bulletin board I used two large cows and said “In the MOOd for learning”. On a third bulletin board I made paper plate pigs that said “Hog Wild About Third Grade”. I used a pig notepad from Carson-Dellosa and put each child’s name on their desk.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5

Marblized Bulletin Board Borders 
Submitted by: Stephanie Raymer, 3rd Grade
One idea for bulletin board borders is to take plan white sentence strips and “marble paint” them. I usually choose a color, say purple. Then I take white and a lighter form of the main color, say magenta. Using a paint brush, I dab on the various colors onto the strip, mixing them, not mixing them, making a marble effect. They come out really striking and different when used as borders.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Neat stuff for 3-D letters and displays 
Submitted by: Kimberly Quigley
My best friend Angel showed me how to use home insulation board for classroom displays. You can purchase this board at home and garden stores.You need to pull off the plastic paper covering and then prime it with paint. Now you are ready to use it just like poster board. Only this will be thicker and stronger!
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Old Books For Borders 
Submitted by: JM
I always have a few novels or picture books that get “loved” to pieces at the end of the year. Instead of recycling them, I use an art knife to cut the pages out and use as a quick border around a bulletin board. This looks great for a literacy board or a writers board. My students love to guess which book I recycled.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Our Class is Hopping 
Submitted by: cousin54
Children painted blue paper as water, then made silly frogs. Child’s footprints were made as lily pads and each child’s photo was placed in frog’s hand.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K

Puzzling Bulletin Board 
Submitted by: Dawn T., Elementary
Here’s a great idea for a bulletin board. Use puzzle pieces as the “leaves” on a tree. You can make the trunk from a paper grocery bag (or brown butcher paper). We made a recycled tree this way. It’s a great way to reuse an old puzzle that is missing pieces and it looks real creative! The kids will have a great time gluing the pieces.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5

School News Bulletin Board 
Submitted by: Donna Smith
I cover one of my bulletin boards with old newspaper and cut out letters that spell “School News”. This is were I post the menus, daily schedule, grading policy and other school news. I have also done the reverse and cut the letters from newspaper and covered the bulletin board in plain paper. It’s a cheap way to finish a bulletin board.
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Seaweed 
Submitted by: Melinda, Preschool
I used the clear lamination strips (from the edges of other laminated materials) for seaweed. Have the children to color them and then twist the thin strips and staple to your “sea” bulletin board. It’s fun to make and the children will love it. Also, if you use shiny blue wrapping paper as background it adds to the sea feel of your board.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2

Wild blue yonder 
Submitted by: Pat Archer, grade 4
When creating an outdoor scene on the bulletin board I use several white poster boards as the base for the sky. I lightly coat the boards with blue chalk and then use a chalkboard eraser to blend the chalk for a great “sky” background. The poster boards can easliy be stored for use again.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8