I have noticed that some teachers use material on their bulletin boards instead of paper.
What do you use and why?
I have always used paper....but a teacher down the hall just started using material, and I really liked how 'sharp' her board looked. I am considering switching.
I too like it because it doesn't fade or show holes. But you can also buy different designs and patterns. For example, behind my calendar I have layers up. Right now, it's just green but in October I'll take that green off and I have a Halloween design up and behind that is Thanksgiving and so on. That way every month I just have to pull off the top fabric and reattach the border.
Love it! And you're right - it does look super sharp.
I love fabric because it doesn't fade and lasts a long time. I moved into my current classroom in 1998, and I'm still using the same fabric! I bought colors that matched my classroom and just change out the border every year. It's just now starting to show some staple holes. I've never used paper. My old classroom didn't have bulletin boards.
I have been using material on my boards for the last nine years and I would never go back to paper. It is clean and doesn't fad and hey I am also saving the environment!! hehehehe There were times when I would use different fabric patterns to coordinate with the seasons or holidays.....little pencils and school houses for the beginning of the year, halloween decorated one, turkeys, etc. Now I just use solids because I don't change the boards as often. At the end of the year I take it down and bring it home and throw it into the wash fold it and it is ready for the next year. Also it is so much easier than that paper. I always put up the top and staple it....then down the sides...then pull it taunt at the bottom....and it looks so crisp and great!!!
I have bought fabric at walmart ....and I sometimes get it now at JoAnn's fabric store because they give a discount for teachers.
Try the fabric you will love it!! I suggested it to a friend of mine and she hasn't used paper since!!!!
I have used both paper and fabric. I prefer the fabric for all the reasons already said. Paper is cheaper (free) at my school. The only suggestion I have for the fabric is to go more solid. If you will be hanging student work on it I would go either solid or a small print. I had a fabric with a school print on it. The fabric was cute but depending on what I put on it the work kind of blended in. The kids work didn't "pop" like I want it to. Bigger prints ARE good for calendar walls and such. Other than that it's great.
I use fabric because it is easy, it lasts for a long time, and I am not very creative, but my bb looks creative due to the fabric. I have a student of the week and have a fabric background with stars that I love. I have used it for 3 years and it is still up ready to go for next year. I have also used plastic tableclothes for my bb that don't last as long, but have fun color combos.
I use material because I don't like to see the paper fade and I don't like changing the entire bulletin board. Also, the fabric doesn't show the pinholes as much (lighter fabrics still show). Also, when it needs a refresher (1x a year), I just spray with Febreeze or Wrinkle releaser (which is great when you first install the fabric).
Years ago I read this "tip" to create the whole board out of fabric - and use iron on stuff to put the "pieces" on the bulletin board. Then, when you change, just take the whole thing down and put up another one. The lady had made a whole years worth of bulletin boards, and just changed them out. They also were easier to store because you just washed them, folded them and put them away.
I have 3 main bulletin boards. I painted all 3 of them this year. A couple of other teachers had done it, and it looked so great. I'm in a very old building, and it just freshened things up. We'll see how I like it this year.
I have three bulletin boards in my classroom. I just use solid, primary colors and keep them up year round. I have yellow, green, and red. I do change out the borders monthly to help create a different look.
I've been considering using fabric just because I can't seem to use the paper without wrinkling it all up. My question is this - to you sew the edges of your fabric or do you just put it up as is???
Thanks Mzip for sharing that picture! Your bb's look great.
Well, that is it!!! I am sold. I am heading to the store to buy fabric!! I am excited.
Thanks to everyone for your responses!
My boards were all different sizes and I wasn't sure what color I was doing where at first. I would just estimate what sizes I would need and cut it my self. You should see my boards this year.....I had to cut and piece together pieces. It still looks good.....at least I think so.
Be careful to check if your district has a fire retardant policy. I used to use fabric, until we had a fire in our school. Our district provides the fire retardant bb paper that wrinkles sooo easily, but I would hate to have anything happen. That is what we are required to use (even before the fire).
When I did use fabric, I found some retardant spray at Big Lots (then MacFrugals'). The only problem was that it needed to be reapplied each year. Then I couldn't find the spray anymore.
Now I only cover 2 boards with paper, and for those I use white! The rest of them I leave the natural beige bb show. I don't miss the color, in fact I really enjoy the lack of color competition for the charts and work that I want to show. My room is still very colorful and appealing.
On the 2 white papered boards I only use posters that stay up rather than student work that rotates so it stays fresh and does not fade. I only replace it every 2 or 3 years.
I can't imagine working in a school where there is no bb paper allowed! Wow. Our school already won't allow us to hang things from the ceiling. (Although in the "rules", it says that if we do hang things, it must be sprayed with a fire retardant[sp?]... but I've still been told NO.)
07-11-2008, 08:00 PM
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