Interactive bulletin boards may be used to teach any subject or concept. Be creative. Give students leadership roles. In some cases and with some classes you might want to choose a bulletin board captain or team to be in charge when it is time to refocus. When a captain or "team" is in charge they call the refocus timeout. This means they are aware, sometimes even before the teacher, that it is time to take a "bulletin board break." Other students strive to stay focused when students are in charge because the reward is that they will eventually be in charge.

Classroom bulletin boards can get students involved in the learning process and keep them involved. The process of making the board interactive and in tune with student learning has to be consistent. Consistency facilitates learning. When students become less focused than they should be they should immediately go to the bulletin board for their refocusing. This should not be done when the class has totally lost focus. It should be done when students need to be reminded of their goals. Interacting with the bulletin board should be done at the first sign of students losing focus. Interactive bulletin boards improve behavior and academic performance when they are fused with instruction.

Linda Winchester,author
www.kidreadingparties.com

© 9/7/06