Planning an elementary-school classroom is always a challenge; if you’re at a loss with ideas for your second grade bulletin boards, we have inspiration to help you out. Bulletin boards are more than simple decoration, they are an extension of teaching and a way to turn empty wall space into learning opportunities.
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What makes a good second grade bulletin board?
The best bulletin boards for younger elementary students are those that have a clear purpose, are simple to read or interpret and contribute to a welcoming environment for all students.
Bulletin boards are typically one or more of three types: interactive boards, display boards, or informative boards. Interactive boards are either student-made or have activities which students can complete on their own. Display boards are those that serve as classroom decor, part of creating a welcoming school environment, or displaying student work.
Informative boards can be aimed at students or parents, and may share subject content or school/classroom information.
While it can be tempting to compete for the “craftiest board” the best bulletin boards for elementary school keep it simple. A display board is no use to anyone if the kids cannot read it or find it confusing or overwhelming.
A few tips for keeping it simple:
- Use large letters – the bigger the better. Resist the urge to use super-fancy fonts, which can be particularly difficult for emerging readers to decipher. Consider using just one or two fonts throughout the design, for the same reason.
- Stay current. While there’s no need to switch out boards with any regular frequency, remember that boards about seasons or seasonal events are less engaging once that time has passed. Kids will quickly lose interest in a Halloween board once the Christmas season rolls around, for example.
- Stick to one topic or activity. While multiple subjects can be rolled into that one activity, it’s best – especially with interactive boards – to make the focus and function of the board obvious, so that students can refer to or use the board on their own without further clarification.
- Lastly, the best boards are those that are tailored to the needs of your students and classroom. Think of bulletin boards as both an extension of your teaching and a way to make students feel welcomed and appreciated.
Boards that acknowledge your students’ cultural backgrounds and interests will be especially appealing to them and foster a feeling of inclusiveness. For example, during the winter season, you may create a board that celebrates general cold weather activities rather than one that celebrates only one particular holiday.
Getting students involved in making bulletin boards is a great chance to get to know them, as well as instil confidence in their abilities. Consider the example above – winter holidays. Consider asking students what celebrations or holidays they celebrate and include them all in your winter display.
Tips and Examples of 2nd Grade Bulletin Boards
Baseball Math Fluency Board By Donna
This fun baseball-themed board gives student “stats,” earning them a place on the bulletin board by mastering content. Although this teacher designed it around math, the design could be adapted to any content area.
Currently Reading Board By Sensational Teachings
Foster a love of reading with this colorful, minimalist design which features students’ answers to writing prompts about their latest reads. The student responses make great conversation prompts, whether with classmates or teachers.
Jedi Mindset Board By Mrs. King
This creative board is a great pick if you’ve got Star Wars fans in your classroom! The simple design utilizes printed cutouts of Star Wars characters along with examples of fixed mindset thinking and alternative, growth-mindset statements.
There’s A Wocket In My Pocket Board By Mrs. Gilchrist
Emergent readers and Dr. Seuss fans will love this student-created board or door decoration. Students complete a rhyming prompt inspired by Dr. Seuss’s There’s a Wocket in My Pocket, and hang their response on a colorful polka-dot background alongside their classmates.
If I Were President Board By Supply Me
This student-created board or wall decor is a great choice for Presidents’ Day or any time of year, and integrates art, civics, and writing. Students write about their view of the presidency, and their own “presidential platforms” and create presidential silhouettes – easier than it looks, thanks to the instructions and templates provided.
MLK Dream Board By Patti Wagon
This board activity encourages students to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and to consider what they can do to make a change in the world, both today and tomorrow. The board design features photos of students holding up signs on which they have written about their own dreams for tomorrow.
The Ants Come Marching Back To School By Supply Me
This cute and inviting board is a great way to display information about the upcoming school year and welcome students to your room. The design may look complex, but this board was created using nothing but markers, construction paper and background paper. Teachers can add their own decorative touches, such as borders.
I Can’t Do That Yeti Board By Teach Simple
This board plays on the word “yeti” to remind students that just because they can’t do something “yeti” doesn’t mean they won’t be able to soon! Check out the project page for additional resources and handouts to go along with this student-created growth mindset board.
Origami Board By Math Equals Love
Students will love making origami so much that they won’t even realise they’re learning. Create a stunning board to display simple student-made origami pieces that reinforce maths concepts while helping students develop coordination and frustration-tolerance skills.
So Many Books, So Little Time Board By Paula Upham
Stumped for a back-to-school board and low on time? Look no further than this bright and inviting board which celebrates your (and soon to be your students’) favourite books. This bulletin board comes together quickly with a bright, simple background and colour copies of picture book covers.
Reading Graffiti Board By The Half Full Chronicles
We all know how much students love to colour and write on every surface. Well, here’s a display board that gives them the chance to do just that. Black paper makes the perfect canvas for students to write reviews of their favourite books for all to see.
Colourful Crayon Banner For Boards By Paper Trail Design
If you’re looking to add some color to your classroom, check out these oversized printable crayons. They make a great addition to just about any bulletin board or can be used as a decorative border or banner. They’re a cinch to create using the free template.
What Will I Do Now Board By Poppies And Lillies
We’ve all heard that question – I’m done. What now? This board provides the answers with a list of suggestions for things that students can work on independently when finished with their work. Use the suggestions included or add your own favourites to keep your kids busy and learning.
Spider Halloween Board By Inspired By Kindergarten
This clever Halloween board features a spiderweb design that integrates writing, vocabulary and maths in one space. Kid-created spiders serve as the centrepiece. Although this board was designed for the kindergarten classroom, it can easily be adapted to 2nd grade maths concepts.
Help Wanted Job Chart Board By The Teaching Excellence Program
A newspaper background and colorful cardboard envelopes create the perfect “help wanted” board for your classroom helpers. Student-created “name tags” such as popsicle sticks can be moved around the board to indicate their classroom roles.
Detail Detectives Board By Teacher To The Core
Teaching emerging readers to read for detail and meaning can be challenging. Encourage them to become “word detectives” and then display their work on this classroom board. Check out the link above for handouts and strategies for your students to employ.
When I Am 100 Years Old Board By Fluttering Through The Grades
Celebrate the hundredth day of school with this fun bulletin board which encourages students to write about what they think will happen when they are 100 years old. This lesson could be combined with book study or an optional “self portrait at 100” art project.
Reading Is A Blast Board By The Gilded Pear
If you’re feeling crafty, consider creating this fantastical board that celebrates your students’ favourite books with an out of this world space theme.
Snowglobe Board By Toris Teacher Tips
This snowglobe board is a great way to stretch your students’ vocabulary and creative writing muscles and makes a super-cute winter decoration for any classroom. Simply mount student answers to the writing prompt, “If I lived in a snow globe” on paper and assemble into globes which can be affixed to a snowy background.
What We Are Doing Board By Dandelions And Butterflies
Encourage students to take charge of their own learning and build confidence in their new skills with this board which displays learning objectives in simple, age-appropriate language. Students will love to see what they have accomplished!
Focus Board By Mrs. Bremers Class
Here’s another focus board layout idea. The black background and tissue paper flowers make the learning objectives the centre of attention on this board, which reminds students what they are working on.
When you are finding it challenging to come up with new and original ideas for your 2nd grade bulletin boards, just remember that the best board is one that reflects your own teaching style and works for your classroom. Creating boards should be an enjoyable extension of your own teaching and students will appreciate that effort and purpose more than any perfectly-crafted creation.
