It can be hard to come up with classroom bulletin boards ideas and know how to use classroom displays. You want to make sure you are using them in a way that helps students learn, not feel overwhelmed, and is valuable. It’s important to think and plan out how to use your classroom bulletin board spaces. One of my favorite classroom displays is called a Proud Board. It is both mine and my students’ favorite thing! Here is why I love having a proud board in my classroom.
What exactly is a Proud Board?
Before I tell you why I love having a Proud Board, I should first explain what it is. It is such a simple but genius classroom bulletin board idea. A Proud Board is a bulletin board where my students can put up anything that they want. It could be work we completed in class, something they made at home, or even just some art they created in their free time. Whatever they want to display is totally fine.
I personally like to back all of my bulletin boards with fabric using sheets I get from the thrift store. Then, for my Proud Board, I hot glue a pushpin to a clothespin. Last, I take a picture of each of my students from the shoulders up and glue that to the front of the clothespin. (Of course, the picture I am sharing above is before I added student pictures for privacy reasons.)
Then, before students put anything, I clip a blank paper in their spot. Once I’ve explained the Proud Board, students are welcome to start using it! (Again, I don’t have pictures of student work for privacy reasons.) Students really love it, and so do I. Here’s a little explanation I include next to our Proud Board, mostly for class visitors to know what they’re looking at.
5 Reasons I Love Having a Proud Board
Now that you know what a Proud Board is, here is why I love having one in my classroom.
5. It’s one less board I have to worry about.
I’m just going to be really honest here. One of the reasons I love my Proud Board is that it’s one less bulletin board I am responsible for. Once it’s set up, I am no longer in charge. Since I am all about student independence, this is such a bonus. Anything that saves me work is a good thing.
4. It gives students ownership.
Another reason I am a huge fan of having a Proud Board is that it gives students a sense of ownership from the beginning of the school year. I absolutely love that they have a prominent area that they are in charge of. This is such an easy way to let go of control and give it to students.
3. It shows their personalities and helps to build relationship.
One of the easiest ways to build relationship is to learn what things interest your students. The Proud Board is a great way to see what students value, what they are interested in, and what they think is important. Do they choose to put up art projects or drawings of Pokémon? Are they often putting up math work? Do they never want to put up their writing? Paying attention to these things can give you good insight.
2. It manages itself.
This sort of goes with the first reason I mentioned, but not only do I not have to worry about it, but it manages itself. The Proud Board, if utilized properly, is always changing. In my experience there are certain students who will change their work 1-2 times a week. (I tend to set a limit of 2 times a week). This means it’s always fresh and new without me having to lift a finger.
1. It shows my students that I value their opinions.
Lastly, it helps to build trust and shows my students that I value their opinions. Giving them autonomy over the Proud Board is such a small but mighty way to show them this. And, after all, building trust, independence, and confidence is what our job is all about.
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- 10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Friday
- How to Set Up a Classroom Without Spending a Ton of Money
- Helping Students Take Ownership and Solve Conflict
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