Classroom Culture

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is to be able to move about the building and see great ideas spring into action.  I am posting some of my favorites from our brilliant teachers.

Most of us have seen great quotes from renowned educators or celebrities.  This board highlights quotable quips from students' perspectives.  Miss Bell created this bulletin board on the side of a filing cabinet at the entrance of her 3rd grade classroom.  I love that it is positioned perfectly at students' eye level, and it sets the culture of growth mindset as her kids enter the room.

Miss Bell's "Wise Words" Wall

Miss Morgan's Numeracy Board is a great collection of all things math.  She shares tools and graphic representations to help her students develop number sense.  I see her refer to the board often during math lessons to help her students see the connections.

Miss Morgan's Numeracy Board

Have your kids ever experienced a loss for words?  Well, Mrs. Saunders' academic discussion starters board helps her students put their thoughts into words.  Situated where her students gather for class meetings, these conversation starters are great tools for students when asking questions or responding to a prompt.  Sometimes, our kids, especially second language learners, just need a little encouragement to jump into the discussion.  

Mrs. Saunders' Discussion Starter Board.

I love this bulletin board because it is interactive and dynamic.  Students contribute to board with their own representations of the terms.  This deepens their understanding of the meaning of the academic vocabulary. Mrs. Ramsey builds the list of terms for the topic and changes it out when new concepts are introduced.

Mrs. Ramsey's Interactive Math Vocabulary Wall

Have your students ever experienced a loss for words?  Well, in Mrs. Saunders' class, this board of discussion starters helps her students construct questions and respond to prompts that are appropriate and thought-provoking.  These are great, especially for second language learners who sometimes just need a little encouragement to jump into the discussion. 

This is a great activity to check for understanding.  Students respond to the prompt according to the hour they were given.  So many ways to utilize the board for class discussion, as a station activity, or as a prompt for teacher table.

Mrs. Ramsey's Question Clock

What a creative way to help students learn the alphabet!  Students see that print comes in all different shapes and sizes - just like the students in Mrs. Robert's Pre-K class!

Mrs. Robert's Alphabet Wall

One of the ways this teacher creates a nurturing class culture is adding this community board to her room.  Students have the opportunity to share and celebrate milestones, life events, and important news from their personal lives.  One of the students will soon have a new sibling, and she will be able to add it to the board.  Another is playing soccer in a tournament later this month - another noteworthy post.  Great way to  build a classroom family mindset, Miss Morgan!

Miss Morgan's Class Community News Board

Many of our teachers are committed to provide a vocabulary-rich classroom.  Labeling common classroom items helps students see the correct term, notice spelling patterns, even learn words in another language!

A vocabulary-rich classroom is important for all students