April is a challenging month for bulletin board decorating.  It is starting to get warmer and while thoughts might start drifting to the end of the school year, there are still plenty of days ahead.  The three ideas below will help refocus students’ attention and get them excited about learning throughout the month.

We’re Saving the Earth

Earth Day is April 20th, but an eco-friendly bulletin board is perfect for any time of year.  Dedicate a bulletin board to reducing, reusing, and recycling common classroom items.  In the center of the blue paper or fabric covered board, hang three clear zippered baggies with pencil shavings from the pencil sharpener, scrap paper from old assignments or work, and crayons that have been worn down from use.  Challenge students to write a creative poem, paragraph, or instructions for using the items in the bag in a new way.  Use globe shaped paper for the final drafts and hang them on the bulletin board titled, “We’re Saving The Earth.”.

Word Scramble Center Bulletin Board

Word scrambles are fun!  On a plain background with an alphabet bulletin board border, adhere squares of letters in a 4 x 4 square.  Have a classroom timer and a basket with “answer sheets” on a desk in front of the bulletin board.  Students then set the timer to five minutes and see how many words they can find or unscramble using adjoining letters during that time.  They record their answers on the provided sheet and turn them in for grading.  Switch the letters around or add more after everyone has completed the board.  It is a great way to encourage students to think creatively and see connections between words and letters.

Let’s Learn Spanish

Students love learning new languages and while you might have a hard enough time trying to fit all of the English lessons in, learning a few new words in Spanish is a great way to excite students about language.  Studies have shown that early exposure to foreign languages increases a child’s ability to learn them.  Create a food theme bulletin board during the month of April and hang food shaped cards with Spanish and English labels.  Review the words during small group time or morning circle.  At the end of the month, have a Spanish Buffet Day where the foods represented on the board are brought in to sample.  Students will have fun naming them in Spanish and English as they eat.  The review and the hands-on practice while munching on the goodies will help students retain the information longer.

What are some of your favorite bulletin boards for April?  Share with us below!