I want my classroom to be seasonal and welcoming when students come back to school. My to-do list is long and my time in the classroom before the first day of school is limited. Here are some quick tips for simple back to school bulletin boards to get you through that first marking period in style.
Using student work samples as the star element in your bulletin boards, can keep your classroom looking fresh during the year without requiring a lot of time and money. When bulletin boards are kept simple, you can change them quickly when you change your classroom calendar corner. Students love to walk into the classroom to see an exciting new display, especially when it includes their own work. Complicated bulletin boards make it seem like the room belongs to the teacher but simple bulletin boards that are centered around student work really make the room feel like it belongs to the whole classroom community.
SEPTEMBER
Whether you start in late August or early September, nothing screams “teacher” like an apple theme. You get points for embracing the season but you also have flexibility because if life gets in the way and you can’t change that bulletin board for several weeks (or even several months) those apples can stay part of your classroom All Year Long if they need to.
These bulletin board letters are my absolute favorite set. They are FREE, you can print them right now, and the set is editable so you type only the letters you need today. You won’t have to worry about storing extra letters or finding enough vowels to spell the title that you want. You can even print a blank apple to write student names on (this can also be an easy way to decorate your classroom door – so many possibilities!). Grab your free copy of these apple bulletin board letters today.
OCTOBER
A student or paraprofessional can quickly swap out that apple-themed bulletin board to showcase some student work in October. Swap out those apples for pumpkins and add some recent student work samples.
I love these Halloween 3D color-by-code characters as a teacher because the set is differentiated so I can choose the skill that each student needs to practice. Students love them because they can choose from 5 friendly characters or collect the full set for extra practice. This is one of my favorite fast finisher options but it also works well for morning work, sub plans, or math centers.
NOVEMBER
Most teachers have a favorite activity for having students share about what they are thankful for. Change those pumpkins into pies, change out the student work samples, and you have another seasonal bulletin board that features the stars of your classroom community – the students. From day one students see their names and they work being celebrated in the same place in your classroom with these simple bulletin board ideas for a busy fall season.
These editable bulletin board letters have saved me so much time and I hope they can help you think of a way to keep your classroom seasonal and student focused.
If you liked these ideas, take a look at this post with a full school year of simple bulletin board ideas.
I wish you a smooth back to school season and an incredible school year. I’d love to see your ideas – tag me on Instagram any time!
