Bulletin Board Guidelines

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The Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics 1363 Fulton Avenue Bronx, New York 10456 Tele # (917) 941-7856 — Fax # (718) 741-7970 Edward Tom, Principal

BCSM Bulletin Board Guidelines [as of 10-3-05] ^ Evidence of NYS Standard being addressed in activity ^ Clearly state the assignment given to students ^ Evidence of grading rubric for assignment ^ Evidence of rigor in the assignment given to students ^ Evidence of careful, constructive student feedback on works displayed ^ Evidence of writing across the content areas

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Bulletin Boards

lassroom bulletin boards and hallway display areas are an C important element in creating a positive learning environment. Bulletin boards can teach, inform, inspire and add a great deal of educational value to a classroom when they are prepared effectively. They provide a means for teachers to stimulate interest in an upcoming unit to be studied, as well as, showcasing student work at the end of a course of study. A classroom without bulletin boards is barren. Students need to have a something to look at besides bare walls.

The Mott Hall School I.S. / P.S. 223 71 Convent Avenue New York, N.Y. 10027 Dr. Mirian Acosta-Sing, Principal Mr. Marc Briller, SPD www.motthall.org Copyright © 2003 Mott Hall

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Bulletin boards are used: • To convey ideas and concepts to be taught in a clear, simple and dramatic way. • To arouse and maintain interest in a topic or unit to be studied. • To highlight standard setting student work which can be viewed as exemplars. • To help record pupils' progress and growth. • To give general information to students such as future events.

1-Motivational Unit Bulletin Boards A motivational bulletin board is used to introduce a unit of study. These bulletin boards are meant to arouse interest in the new curricula unit. The components of the Motivational Bulletin Board should include: • • • •

A clearly stated goal / standards Illustrations and photographs related to the themes and topics, which are to be studied. Key vocabulary words related to the themes and topics of the unit. High level focus questions which students will be able to answer at the conclusion of the unit being studied. These focus questions should focus on the concepts being taught throughout the unit.

Motivational Bulletin Board Created by Mrs. Reynolds This Motivational Bulletin Board is theme or unit specific its focus in on the human skeleton and the study of bones

3 2-Project Based Bulletin Boards Project based bulletin boards are created at the conclusion of a unit of study. The purpose for this type of bulletin board is to post and feature standard setting student projects, which are exemplars of excellent work created by the students. The benefits ofposting these bulletin boards are firstly, students have the opportunity to see and learn what an excellent project looks like and secondly, students whose work is showcased feel self-esteem and pride in knowing that they've done excellent work. The components of a Project Based Bulletin Board should include: • • • • •

Clearly stated goal of the unit. The task, which led to the development of the project. The Standard setting projects, be sure that the students name appears on the project A rubric, which was used to evaluate the work. The focus questions from the unit studied should be posted since the projects should reflect and respond to these questions.

Project Based Bulletin Board Created by Mrs. Herzog This bulletin board features student products and was created to highlight excellent work at the conclusion of a study on insects.

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3-Informational and Procedural Bulletin Boards Informational and procedural bulletin boards are used to inform and reinforce important classroom procedures and information, This type of bulletin board is a real time — saver because the students know where to look for important information which pertains to them. This bulletin board should be located in a location that is easiest for students to access. The information contained on these bulletin boards may include: •

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Procedures related to: I. Fire Drills 2. Classroom laptop 3. Arrival and dismissal 4. Setting up and maintaining Reading and Writing Portfolios Due dates for assignments and special projects Special school events Classroom rules and procedures

An example of an informational/ procedural type bulletin board appropriate for our Mott Hall students might include a technology bulletin board which could be called, "Brush up On Your Internet". This bulletin board could include: • Student policy related to the use of the Internet. • Vocabulary related to internet use (.COM, .ORG, URL, ...) • Procedures for conducting an online search. • Listing of search engines • Listing of curricula specific URLs (websites) • Directions and rules for printing

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Informational Bulletin Board Created by Mrs. Ferreiro Hernandez Our Service Learning Program is described with all components explained. Students have the opportunity to understand the program's components, prior to participating in this program.

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Informational Bulletin Board Created by Ms. Strickoff

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4-Inspirational Bulletin Boards Inspirational bulletin boards do not focus on specific units of study. These bulletin are general in nature and promote an interest in areas such as having students read more, enjoy listening to music, keep a writing journal etc. These bulletin boards don't have focus questions or specific tasks.

Inspirational Bulletin Board Created by Ms. Reynolds The Inspirational Bulletin Board is not a unit specific but rather promotes reading.

Standards for Student Written Work to be Displayed Student written work, which is to be displayed on bulletin boards, should meet or demonstrate that the child is striving to meet the standards. The students writing should go through a process of planning, drafting, revising and editing before it is considered a fmished product. The writing or project to be displayed should reflect the focus and the response to the task If the task requires: •

Informational writing, such as a news story or a Social Studies report, which includes facts, gathered from several sources. The writing should use information to express a particular point of view, and should be written for a specific audience.

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A response to literature, such as an essay making connections between characters or themes from different books the writing should express the students thinking about how particular authors use language, and should use examples from the books to support his or her ideas.

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A story of fictional writing or is autobiographical then the writing should create an interest, using dialogues and suspense, and should describe characters movements and expressions.

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Narrative procedure writing explaining how something is done, then this writing should lay out clear steps that are easy to follow, and should anticipate anything that may be unclear to the reader.

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A persuasive essay then the work should have examples of anecdotes and examples, which help to create a convincing argument.

All student work selected for display should also demonstrate: • Correct use of grammar, which includes all parts of speech. • Correct paragraph structure. • Appropriate language. • Correct use of all conventions of punctuation. • Correct sentence structure. • Proper word usage and correct spelling. The students' work should be as professional as possible. Computer generated work is preferred whenever possible. Illustrations and drawing should be neatly mounted. If the paper is handwritten then the handwriting should be neat, clear and legible.

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Suggestions for Bulletin Boards Aesthetics Bulletin Board Backgrounds Most teachers tend to use plan construction paper to back bulletin boards but if you are tired of the same background aesthetic for your bulletin board you may consider some of the ideas listed below for covering a bulletin board. Most of the materials can be cut for borders as well. Also, some of the materials (even fabric) can be laminated for cutting letters. Additional materials, which can be used for bulletin board backgrounds, may include: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Curtains Pictures of former students Magazine pages Old greeting cards Picture post cards Calendar pages or pictures Book covers Pages from old textbooks Fabric A tablecloth Wrapping paper Newspaper Comic pages

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Borders for your bulletin boards can be coordinated with the background materials listed above by cutting the materials selected for you backgrounds. Materials for borders, which may be, are:

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Wide ribbon for colorful borders. Strips of newspaper and laminate. Laminate strips of fabric that fit the theme of the board. An Informational Bulletin Board Covers from discarded paperback cut to the same width, connected and then laminate. A 3-D effect, using old puzzle pieces. Glued to strips of construction paper. Bookmarks as a border for a reading (Inspirational) bulletin board.