Putting up bulletin boards multiple times a year can become stressful for the busy teacher. While there are times when the teacher wants a specific board to teach a specific set of facts, there are also many times when the students will learns just as much (if not more) by putting the bulletin boards up themselves. Having the students put up the bulletin boards works better in secondary school than in elementary school. Elementary students can certainly assist the teacher, but probably will not be able to do it themselves. Even in secondary grades the teacher still need to be involved in four areas when the students are putting up the bulletin boards: preparing, facilitating, contributing, and encouraging.
Preparing the Students to Put Up the Bulletin Boards
Most often the students will be thrilled to be able to do a hands-on project during class time. The teacher's preparation comes by helping the students to decide what they are going to display on their boards. Students will feel a sense of ownership when they directly contribute to their classroom.
Some ideas of what to put on the bulletin boards could be: exceptional classwork or artwork, facts from a recent section of study, or holiday themes. Truthfully, the ideas are limitless. Asking the students for their ideas is also an excellent way to come up with new bulletin board material.
Preparation also includes getting the supplies ready after the material is decided upon. The teacher could purchase the material, use material already available, or ask the students to provide the material. Once the material is in hand, it is time for the teacher to begin facilitating and contributing to the bulletin boards.
Facilitating and Contributing to Bulletin Board Set-up
While it is possible that the students will be able to successfully complete the bulletin boards by themselves, it would be wise for the teacher to prepare to assist in any way needed. Most likely secondary students will have little to no trouble in setting up the bulletin board, but if any snags arise the teacher can assist - even if it is just giving suggestions or pointing them in the right direction.
Having a teacher present and prepared to lend a hand to the students working on the bulletin boards will also help in classroom control. The students will remain more focused and better behaved if they know the teacher is closely watching their progress. When left unsupervised, students often tend to revert to popularity contents and silliness. Encouraging the students to continue with the task in front of them will not only get the job done, but the encouragement will also teach them valuable life discipline skills.
Encouraging the Students During and After Bulletin Board Set-up
Encouragement from the teacher during a large project such as putting up a bulletin board will go far in accomplishing the task with successful outcomes and attitudes. The teacher should make sure that his/her voice and body language stays upbeat and enthusiastic. The students will often pick up on the enthusiasm and be enthusiastic themselves.
Keeping the students in a positive frame of mind will help to ensure satisfactory results and better teamwork. The more the students work together successfully as a team, the more they will be able to accomplish in the classroom. Rarely is a life a one-person show, and school is not a one-person show either.
With the teacher and students both on the same page emotionally and mentally, the classroom can be a place where both students and projects thrive.
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