Bulletin Board Tips for Teen Classrooms

Teens aren't into cutesy. Cool, yes, but not bunny rabbits or snowmen. A more supplicated look is what teens prefer in bulletin boards--one that's fun, but adult. So, what makes a sophisticated adult look? Here are several tips secondary teachers can use for their teen classroom bulletin boards.

Teen Classroom Bulletin Board Background Tips

Bulletin board backgrounds are typically fabric or butcher paper. But don't rule out black as a color. Black has a way of grounding the room and giving whatever's on the bulletin board, a more serious note. What's more, dark colors provide a super backdrop for highly colorful visuals, such as nature imagery. In addition, neutrals make great transition backgrounds--meaning you don't have to change the bulletin board background to change the content.

Teen Classroom Bulletin Board Lettering Tips

Use bright colors for lettering and leave plenty of space around lettering. Large letters are seen best from across the room. Consider shadowing, placing identical shadow lettering in a dark contrast slightly behind, up, and to the left of bright front letters. Or, highlight bulletin board letters visually for a more serious look, by outlining letters to help them stand out.

Teen Classroom Bulletin Board Content Tips

Keep your bulletin boards intellectually stimulating. Cover hot topics, and consider changing your classroom bulletin board monthly. Old boards lose effect. Furthermore, elementary students aren't the only ones who enjoy interactive bulletin boards. Teens like them too. Plan ways to add lift-flaps, dials, suggestion boxes, Post-it notes, puzzles, and brain-teasers to your teen bulletin boards.

Teen Classroom Bulletin Board Border Tips

Every classroom needs a space for school-related facts. So, why not a whole bulletin board? Draw attention to school facts. Set the bulletin board apart with interesting and unique borders. Use rope, wide ribbons, CD covers, video games, motorcycle and car photos, sheet music, popular or student poetry, famous quotes, book or magazine images, school pennants, pom-poms, or colored prints. This adds interest and guarantees students will want to read the important information located on that bulletin board.

Add to this bulletin board the following: school calendar, school news clippings, attendance information, lunch menu, lunch count, team schedule, student honors, classroom organizational tips and rules, period schedule, activity schedule, books for required reading, important due dates, upcoming assignments, and useful graphic organizers.

For secondary classroom bulletin board borders, choose straight lines. Straight lines give a more mature, serious look to your borders--as opposed to curves of elementary classroom bulletin board borders. For more border ideas, see Bulletin Board Background and Border Ideas.

Bulletins boards are more than classroom décor. If you plan well, add creativity and inspiration, your teen classroom bulletin boards will be interactive, visually interesting, thematic, educational, motivational, and a genuine source of pride for you.

Sources:

Bulletin Boards: Twelve Ideas for Older Classrooms
TeacherVision - Bulletin Board: Themes and Tips