New Year's Bulletin Board Ideas for Teachers

Get ready to kick off the New Year in your upper elementary classroom with simple and engaging New Year bulletin board ideas that help students reflect, reset, and feel excited about what’s ahead in the second half of the school year! 

I love to reset our classroom after a long winter break by revisiting the classroom rules and expectations, reviewing procedures, and building community! One way to build community after a long time off from school is by creating a New Year's bulletin board to encourage our classroom community to start the new year with positivity.

A thoughtfully planned New Year bulletin board is a simple way to welcome students back after a long winter break while setting a positive tone for the months ahead. When students are involved in creating the bulletin board, it builds a sense of ownership and helps ease them back into a focused, ready-to-learn mindset.

Creating a New Year bulletin board display can help your classroom feel fresh, especially during the long winter months. Whether your focus is kindness, goal setting, celebrating a fresh start, or comparing the New Year to the Lunar New Year, a meaningful display gives students a visual reminder that a new year brings new opportunities to grow, learn, and support one another.

A motivational New Year bulletin board does more than decorate your wall! It helps build classroom community, sparks conversations about goals and positive choices, and encourages students to start the year with a positive mindset. 

You will love these different New Year bulletin board ideas that are easy to use and make a big impact on your students. 

1. Bring Kindness in the New Year

I love bringing kindness into the classroom every chance I get! This easy-to-assemble bulletin board has motivational quotes to encourage kids to focus on kindness in the new year. The student templates offer students a chance to be included in the creation of the bulletin board. My kids love to decorate the New Year-themed templates to add to our motivational display.

Grab the free New Year-themed mini posters to spread kindness this New Year!

2. Make Your Mark on the New Year

The kids LOVE the characters on these posters that motivate them to "make their mark" on the new year! The kids love to share what they want to accomplish in the new year. Once the posters are up, pick one poster each day to discuss. We chat about one poster during the morning meeting. The kids share how they can put the suggestion on the poster into action. Student templates are included to help the kids share their hopes and dreams for the new year.

3. SEL - Build Yourself Up in the New Year

If you are trying to get SEL, social emotional learning, into your classroom this New Year bulletin board set is just what you need to kick off the new calendar year! This poster set includes headers for the New Year and winter, making it perfect to use all season long. The posters promote self-love and positivity. Try using these to kick off morning discussions. Go one step further and have each poster serve as a writing prompt that students reflect on. 

4. Get Crafty and Set Resolutions

The kids love to color and create hands-on crafts! This New Year craft twist on vision boards is a great way to have students put their fine motor skills to work as they color, cut, and create a New Year craft. The kids love to reflect as they welcome the New Year by writing three goals they have, two new things that they want to try, and one word to represent the New Year. These New Year's cityscapes make an eye-catching bulletin board for the New Year.

5. Keep it Simple and Student Focused

Short on time? Keep it simple! On the first day back from break, have the students complete a poster with all of their New Year's hopes and dreams. When student work is completed, display their posters with a simple New Year bulletin board banner. This is perfect to display all January long!

6. Goal Setting Poetry

Looking for a twist on the traditional SMART goal-setting activity? You will love this goal-setting diamante poetry activity. Students set goals and write diamante poems that can be displayed right away, making the first days after winter break engaging.

Everything is included to teach this New Year poetry lesson: an anchor chart, modeled example, rubric, fast finisher challenge, and easy-cut bulletin board letters. Writing diamante goal-setting poems is an easy way to combine goal setting, writing, and a New Year bulletin board display piece that your students will be proud to share.

A more structured lesson on SMART goals is also a great way to teach students how to plan and track the measurable goals they set.

7. Tie in the Lunar New Year

I love connecting the New Year to the Lunar New Year by comparing and contrasting the two holidays. After we read and learn about these two holidays, I have the kids complete shape poems about each of the two New Year celebrations. This is a great way to have them show what they learned in a visual way. The completed shape poems make a great display that can be left up all winter long.

Creating a New Year bulletin board is a simple yet meaningful way to inspire your students as soon as they return from winter break! Your bulletin board will serve as a daily reminder that a new year brings new opportunities to grow and do our best. It also adds an uplifting and purposeful touch to your classroom as students settle back in after winter break. 

So, grab your supplies, get creative, and kick off the New Year with a bulletin board that motivates and encourages your upper elementary students from day one!

Happy teaching!

Looking for no-prep activities for
New Year's? Head HERE!

You will love reading these related blog posts:

5 Lunar New Year Lesson Ideas for Upper Elementary

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*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

Ugly Sweater Activities for Kids in Upper Elementary

December in the classroom is always an exciting time, making it the perfect time to mix in some fun and creative lessons. One trend I love to bring into the classroom during December is the ugly sweater trend! It is a great way to keep things festive without focusing on just one holiday - the kids are always engaged and highly motivated with this topic, too!

Not sure how to get started? I can help! These four easy and fun ways to bring ugly sweaters into your classroom will have your students engaged and learning in no time. Plus, since these activities focus on reading, writing, and math standards that you must teach anyway, they are a great way to enjoy learning! The best part? These activities are not holiday-specific, so they can be used with all your students in your classroom!

So, dive into these ideas and make it an Ugly Sweater Week in your upper elementary classroom this December! 

1. Learn the History of this Trend

I found that kids LOVE to know how and when something started, especially a trend that they know about, and ugly sweaters are no different! Read about the history of this fun trend and bring in comprehension activities. This makes the perfect whole-group or small-group reading activity during December! You'll definitely learn a thing or two, too!

2. Sell that Sweater! An Ugly Sweater Persuasive Project

Kids LOVE to color and design their own ugly sweater, so put that creativity to work! Have your students brainstorm, plan, and design a sweater that they can sell. Don't stop there! Have your students use persuasive writing techniques to craft a pitch to sell the ugly sweater they designed. I encourage students to create a sweater with a theme so that when they write their persuasive piece, they have a focus and a target audience.

3. Get Crafty

Real ugly sweaters have all the bells and whistles, literally! Offer your students some fun craft supplies and bows to add to their ugly sweaters. Not only does this give students more opportunities to be creative and create unique sweaters, but it also gives them more to write about in their persuasive pieces! Keep it simple by using whatever supplies you have in one of your many teacher closets!

Grab some free ugly sweater templates below.

4. Bring in Some Math

Get your kids up and moving with a quick game of scoot using ugly sweater-themed word problem task cards. "Scoot" is a fun and active learning game that’s great for reviewing skills or practicing new concepts. 

To play Scoot, place task cards with questions or problems on each student’s desk or around the room. Give each student an answer sheet with numbered spaces that match the cards. Students start at one station, read the task card, and write their answer in the correct spot. After enough time has been given for students to solve each problem, call out “Scoot!” and everyone moves to the next station to repeat the process. 

Keep going until all the stations have been visited. At the end, review the answers as a class or collect the sheets to check their work. To make it smoother, practice how students will move between stations before starting, and use a timer or music to keep everyone on track. 

These ugly sweater-themed task cards are differentiated. If you are using the different level task cards in your classroom, you might try using them within centers so that each student is completing the level that is just right for them!

Rather get creative during math? Bring in art with this design a sweater project. It is easy to use! After students complete each math word problem, they match their solution to a direction for decorating their sweater. Once all problems are solved, students will have a completed ugly sweater!

Bonus Idea: Have an Ugly Sweater Day!

Yes, wear an ugly sweater during the week of ugly sweater learning! Encourage your students to wear one, too.

December is such a magical time to be in the classroom, and adding an ugly sweater theme is a fun way to keep students engaged while still meeting learning goals. These activities bring creativity, critical thinking, and standards-based skills together in a way that’s festive but inclusive for everyone. From reading about the history of ugly sweaters to designing, crafting, and solving math problems, there are so many ways to incorporate this trend into your lessons. Your students will love the chance to be creative, active, and collaborative during these projects. So, grab some supplies, plan your activities, and maybe even wear your own ugly sweater for a little extra classroom cheer!

Happy Holidays!

                 You will love these related posts:

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              Check out my favorite Holiday activities HERE.

Like these Dear Santa Persuasive Letters.

Tap the picture below for more Ugly Sweater Fun!

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*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

Gratitude Bulletin Board Ideas for the Classroom

Get ready for the season of gratitude this fall and Thanksgiving in your elementary, upper elementary, or middle school classroom with these simple gratitude bulletin board ideas that will encourage and motivate your students to appreciate all they have.

This gratitude bulletin board is perfect for any classroom, from elementary to high school, and will inspire students to reflect on what they are grateful for at any age. This motivational gratitude display adds warmth and fall flair to your classroom décor and encourages positive thinking, reflection, and community among your students all season long.

Creating a gratitude bulletin board display is an easy and meaningful way to decorate your classroom for November while reminding students of the importance of kindness, appreciation, and giving thanks, all without being overly Thanksgiving-focused.

Why should I have a Gratitude Bulletin Board in my classroom?

✔ Builds a Positive Classroom Culture - A gratitude bulletin board fosters a warm, welcoming environment where our students can share what they are thankful for. Though doing this during the Thanksgiving season, they will be able to carry this thought process through the year.

✔ Encourages Reflection - Taking time to read each poster and think about gratitude teaches students to slow down and reflect on what truly matters. This simple routine supports social-emotional learning and helps students focus on positive emotions and manage stress.

✔ Keeps Gratitude Visual All Month and Beyond - This visual reminder is perfect to practice thankfulness not just in one month, but all year long!

Make a Gratitude Bulletin Board with these quick steps!

1. Use a Catchphrase

I love using the catchphrase "Choose Gratitude" each November. Each poster I display has its own catchphrase. The kids love to find their favorite phrase that speaks to them, and that phrase sticks! When we discuss being thankful and gratitude, students always come back to their favorite gratitude catchphrase.

2. Print out the Posters

This set makes it easy to fit any bulletin board size! You can print the posters at full size (8.5x11) or print two to a page for smaller display areas. I like to mix full- and half-size posters because I always love adding student-created accents to the display as well.

3. Print and Cut the Accent Pieces

This gratitude bulletin board set is flexible to meet YOUR needs! You can easily create a complete bulletin board with everything included. Bulletin board letters, banners, borders, accent pieces, and student templates help you to customize your gratitude bulletin board display!

4. Add a Dash of Student Work

While the gratitude posters make a beautiful bulletin board on their own, you can use the included gratitude templates for students to write, color, and decorate. These student-created accents will involve your students in the display process and help them reflect on gratitude, with their buy-in. Use these pages to have students write one or more things that they are grateful for. With several different templates, you can assign different ones to students or allow student choice. 

If you want to get extra focused on student work, you will love this cornucopia craft that has students read about gratitude and write about what they are thankful for...with a twist! This project has students building a cornucopia with an illustration of one thing they are grateful for inside. Students write a paragraph with clues to get their classmates to guess what they are thankful for.

This project is a fun accent to the posters or as a standalone bulletin board. Grab this gratitude bulletin board craft kit here!

5. Sprinkle in other Accents

Make your bulletin board and classroom pop with these fun gratitude accents. I especially love the colorful turkey cutouts. I use these to have the kids fill the shape with things that they are grateful for. They are perfect for scattering around the room, hanging on the bulletin board, or using as door decor!

Don't forget that gratitude picture books can and should be displayed in your classroom as fall and gratitude decor! Read about my favorite gratitude picture books here and scoop up some fun and free gratitude printable activities below.

Choose gratitude! This gratitude bulletin board set will add a sense of gratitude and appreciation to your classroom this November and the Thanksgiving season. It is easy to print, cut, and display! You will be impressed by the conversations that come from these motivational posters and love the special touches your students add, too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

You will also love reading:

7 Thanksgiving Picture Books for Upper Elementary

8 Must-Read Gratitude Picture Books

4 Ways to Bring Gratitude into Your Classroom

4 Thanksgiving Activities You Never Thought to Do

6 Picture Books to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Check out my favorite Gratitude Activities HERE.

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*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)

The First Day of School in Upper Elementary Classroom

Wondering what to do on the first day of school in your upper elementary classroom? These ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms are just what you need!

When it comes to prepping for back to school, there is so much to think about! From building expectations and mandates, grade level meetings, student meetings, fielding parent emails, and figuring out how you want your classroom to run - all before the first day of school - it can feel overwhelming! Lately, the fun stuff of prepping and decorating the classroom and prepping fun first day activities always gets rushed due to the behind-the-scenes work and mandates.

Let's bring back the fun and make it easy to prep for the first day of school in upper elementary! This quick guide has everything you need to make your first day(s) with upper elementary students fun, simple, and memorable!

1. Something to Greet Students

Having something on students' desks to complete as they trickle in on the first day of school is a must! I love to leave the first day of school coloring pages on their desks with a fresh pack of crayons. Your students may be walking in with a bag of school supplies and many questions. To ensure the first fifteen minutes run smoothly and give me a chance to greet each student, I have them simply leave their bags of supplies in the back and get started on coloring! In fact, the kids color a different coloring page each day. It's a great way to ease into the morning, especially during the first week and the start of the school year.

2. Procedure Slideshow and Rules Review

The best procedure to follow on the first day of school is to review all the procedures and class rules. I love to have a slideshow ready to go with all the procedures and rules for our class. From how to line up for a fire drill to when to sharpen your pencil, we go over it all! I also have class rules and expectations on slides to discuss.

After we go through all the slides, I have the kids sign the last slide of slideshow as a student contract. Then I print out the slides to add to my sub binder. Having the slides makes it easy to review throughout the first week of school, and throughout the year!

3. School Tour Classroom Scavenger Hunt 

Get the kids up and moving with a tour of the school. Whether your students have been in the building for a while or are new to a grade level, all kids benefit from learning how to get to different important places from your room. Whether it is a quick review or a longer tour, this is your chance to tell the kids how you expect them to behave in the hallways and the routes they should take once they leave the room. Plus, it gets them up and moving!

When you return from your tour, have a classroom scavenger hunt ready for your kids! I pair them up, and teams of students work together to find all the items on the class scavenger hunt. The team that finds everything first sits down at their desks. When this happens, I call all the kids to sit. Then, we review each item in the classroom, along with any accompanying rules or procedures. No fancy materials needed...you can easily create a scavenger hunt by listing 10-20 items in your classroom that you want your students to find on the board and have them walk around to locate them. 

4. The Perfect Read Aloud

Reading aloud in upper elementary is a must, especially on the first day! I love to stop all the directions and procedures talk and gather together to relax with a story. I usually read aloud right before lunch. This gives us a chance to calm down our nerves and listen to a story as a class before heading out to the cafeteria. I have a lot of favorites for the first day of school. I stay non-traditional with my read-aloud choices since, by the time the kids get to me, they have heard most of the traditional back-to-school titles. 

Don't worry, you don't have to scour the internet for the best back-to-school read-alouds for upper elementary; I have the ones you need to read!

Try these read-alouds:

☝Back to School Read Alouds

✌The Best Back to School Read Aloud

5. All About Me Share

Kids LOVE to share about themselves! I love to have a variety of different activities about me, ranging from simple to more in-depth, to use throughout the week. On the first day of school, we complete a simple 'About Me' page so that all students can finish it. Hold off on completing longer "about me projects" for the rest of the week after the kids are more settled in.

Don't forget that about me pages are not only for the first day or week of school. Hold on to some and use them throughout the year to continue building community, nurturing friendships, and showing your students that you value them.

6. Community Building

Three ways I love to build community are by reading a community-building themed picture book, completing a community-building task, and having a class-based management system.

I love creating a positive classroom community that celebrates teamwork. While students are responsible for their own behavior and choices as individuals, I have found that they make better choices when they work together as a team towards a common goal. I love to use a simple coloring based behavior system that is a quick, easy, and visual way to keep track of the class' behavior as a whole. It is simple and powerful!

It is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Establish the class rules and expectations that you want your students to strive towards. 
2. Decide on a whole-class reward that students can earn and participate in together.
3. Print the themed coloring page and keep track of their amazing behavior!

Each time your students display one of the expectations you decided on, color in a piece on the page. Once the whole page is colored in, the class earns the reward! I have been using this color-tracking behavior plan for the past few years to monitor student behavior, and it has been effective. The kids love working together to color in a piece of the coloring page. Remember to be consistent! Consistency is key in keeping students motivated to work together each day.

Add this to your classroom management toolbox:

🧰Whole Class Management System

Grab free community-building activities below:

7. This or That Game

The kids LOVE to play and chat about "Would You Rather" questions, which is why I have a whole slideshow of them ready to go for the first week of school. They are perfect for use as a 'getting to know you' activity, as the kids share their opinions about popular topics. They also help build community and trust. You can do several in one day or spread them out as brain breaks or morning meeting discussions each day.

Simply shine, pose the question, and decide if you want students to talk with a partner, stand or sit, or hold up one or two fingers to show their opinion. These slides have all the directions on them, so just open, shine, and play!

8. Take them Outside

There's nothing that kids love more than extra recess, am I right? Surprise your kids at the end of the day with some bonus recess time. I love giving them this surprise. Not only do they get excited to go outside, but it also fosters new friendships and encourages conversations. It is a win-win!

9. Small Note

I always want to send the kids home with a smile on their faces on the first day of school! After a busy, but an amazing first day, send your kids home with a sweet little note. You can add a pencil, sticker, or simple school supply. Try these FREE notes and add these highlighters to make them memorable!

💡Teacher pro tip for yourself:

Be sure to stay hydrated! I know we all have a huge water bottle on our desks, but do we remember to drink from it? I know I don't, especially during the first few days when I am constantly talking and managing the kids. That is why I leave myself sticky notes with reminders to drink. It works! Try it and stay hydrated.

Whether you are starting your first year of teaching or your twentieth, these tips and reminders will help you make the most of your first day with your new bunch of students! It is easy to get bogged down with emails, meetings, and mandates, but remember you only have one first day to make the best impression on your students!

Happy teaching! : )

Looking for more engaging back-to-school activities? Head here!

You will love reading these related posts:

The Benefits of Using One Book Many Ways

About Me Activities for Upper Elementary

6 Benefits of Using Interactive Read-Aouds

Classroom Management Strategies That Work

Teaching Effective Reading Strategies

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*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)