Do you find yourself in a panic at the end of each summer, trying to find ideas for the new school year? Fret not and get inspired by these amazing welcome back bulletin board ideas.
Table of Contents
- What Makes a Great Welcome Back Bulletin Board?
- 17 Welcome Back Bulletin Board Ideas
- Welcome Back Bulletin Board FAQS
- Final Thoughts
What Makes a Great Welcome Back Bulletin Board?
Think about when you were a child and how you felt about the first day back to school. How did you feel? Were you anxiously awaiting the first day to see your school friends again or longing for the time you had with your family during summer vacation? Was there anything that motivated you to want to come back? What was it?
These are the questions you should ask when starting to plan your back-to-school bulletin board ideas. Consider things that would appeal to even the most reluctant learner to get them to desire to learn again.
Below are some of the ideas we came up with to keep in mind as you prepare your welcome back bulletin boards!
17 Welcome Back Bulletin Board Ideas
Do you find yourself in a panic at the end of each summer, trying to find ideas for the new school year? Does it seem you never have the time you need to get ready before it’s time to start up again? Kids come to school with high expectations for fun and learning. They expect it to hold value for them in some way. So you don’t want to disappoint.
This blog article looks at some of the best ideas we could find on welcome back bulletin board themes. Some are businesslike, thematic, or focused, some are fun and artsy, but all of them are designed to make a statement and encourage kids to feel welcome and to welcome others back to school with style.
- We Are Happy You Are Here From The Applicious Teacher
This lovely emoji-themed welcome back bulletin board focuses on positive vibes with the central theme being appreciation for all students in the classroom. By sending this positive attribution at the start of a new year, you are sending the message that all students are valuable to you and that you are truly happy they are in your class. Even though it is a message to everyone, students will understand that it is part of your teaching philosophy. They will know that you genuinely mean it when you show them you respect them and like them as you greet them in the new school year.
- Amazing Things Happen Here From The Applicious Teacher
This is a beautiful welcome back bulletin board with a black background and colorful shapes that breed anticipation for the new school year! The idea of this one is to get kids excited about the possibilities for the new year and that, whatever happens in this classroom, it’s going to be amazing. Isn’t that what teaching is really all about? Finding those magical moments for kids? Make it happen!
- We Are A Bright Bunch From The Applicious Teacher
Here is a gorgeous backdrop welcome sign features beautiful crayons the catch the eye. It brags on your students for their abilities before they even hit your classroom. Psychologists would call this a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ and there is some strong evidence that this theory works, when you expect the best from your students, they perform at the level you have set forth for them. Of course, this has to be done realistically, but when some common sense, you can use things like this welcome back bulletin board to set the stage for success! (Rosenthal, 2012) (Encyclopedia of Human Behavior)
- School Bus Welcome Back From Sponge Kids
How about a welcome back school bus featuring all of your students’ faces? All you’ll need to create this is small pictures of each student and yourself to cut out and paste on the windows of the school bus to make them appear that they are inside the bus. As an extra creative touch, add your picture as the bus driver.
- We All Fit Together From Mrs. B.’s Beehive
This puzzle background fits your welcome back bulletin board perfectly to show how each piece is important to the group. What better way to illustrate working together while still valuing each and every student (piece of the puzzle) as unique and important? The key is to make it full of colors that pop to draw the eyes to the puzzle in the middle. It is best done on a dark background such as dark blue or black.
- Rainbow Of Possibilities From Mrs. B.’s Beehive
This gorgeous super magnified welcome back background of watercolors comes complete with an oversized paintbrush and watercolors that focus your attention on beauty and inspire kids to want to make art. Contributed by Mrs. B’s Beehive educational site, this would be perfect in an elementary or middle school art classroom or a regular classroom where art is a focus of activity.
- The Books Missed You From Splash Learn
To get to those avid readers who can’t wait to start reading again from the summer break, how about this lovely book as a welcome back bulletin board which features a book with several hearts around it? This theme emphasizes the importance of reading and the enjoyment people can get out of it personally.
- Cutest Pumpkins In The Patch From Splash Learn
This cutest pumpkins in the patch welcome back bulletin board is great not only for a welcome back theme but also for the month of October. It’s nice to be able to double up and use an idea in more ways than one. Kids can put their name on a pumpkin and claim it as their own and you can have them pretend to pick their own pumpkin before the Thanksgiving holiday to take home to dinner!
- When We’re Here, Were Family By The Self-Sufficient Classroom
What an amazing idea that is brought to the forefront with this back to school welcome back bulletin board. The idea that family is wherever you have friends who can relate to and care about your life and that there is a culture within well-nurtured classrooms that helps create a family-like environment. If you can create a family environment in your classroom, you’re halfway there! Imagine what this could mean for kids who don’t have a traditional family at home.
- Family Photo Wall By Joanne Miller
Carrying the idea of “a classroom is a family” even further is this delightful welcome back bulletin board idea from Joanne Miller, a 5th-grade teacher, who creates a photo wall with a picture of each child on it, along with one of their best attributes. This is an excellent way of illustrating the value each child brings to the class and giving them a sense of pride about their personalities.
- Bee Amazing! From Kids Arts And Craft
Using the theme of friendly little honey bees is always a good thing. Bees are important to our ecosystem and pollinate the flowers and plants we need to survive. Additionally, the idea of being amazing is a great mantra for any classroom. It sends the message that being “ok” is just not good enough. We need to strive for excellence in all we do so that people sit up and take notice.
- The Future of the World By Deahnna Jump
This awesome welcome back bulletin board of kids with the globe in the center features the words, “The Future of the World is in this School.” This focuses the idea on the fact that the future is made up of people who are kids today and that many of those kids come from our own local schools. This can get kids to use their imaginations more about what they could be in the future and may be a great way to start a discussion on careers. By the way, this idea was sent by Deahnna Jump, an elementary school teacher. If you skim the following page, you will recognize some of her other contributions that we have mentioned earlier.
- The Yellow Brick Road From Teaching Expertise
The idea of the yellow brick road comes from “The Wizard of Oz,” which was the road Dorothy, the central character was told to follow to find Elm City to have her wishes granted. This welcome back bulletin board carries the same message but shows how following a path to the end often brings success.
- Brand New Batch From Teaching Expertise
This adorable cookie jar welcome back bulletin board theme featuring a jar running over with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies can be used to introduce a new class according to the grade, or just as a fun backdrop for the kids to notice as they do their work. Be prepared though! It might make some of them hungry!
- Apple Orchard From Teaching Expertise
This idea features an apple tree with outstretched arms that say, “We are nuts about learning.” In the background, you can see 2 bushels of apples and some acorns sitting in the basket with the apples. It sets the stage nicely for the fall season and reminds students the importance of enjoying learning.
- No Prob Lama From The Designer Teacher
This cute play on words features a group of llamas with individual student names on them and the words, “No Prob Llama,” using a play on words in Spanish for “no problem.” This could serve to introduce other cultures, Hispanic Month, or speaking in other languages. And, after all, who doesn’t love a llama?
- Welcome Back Backdrop From Amazon
If you want to keep things more simple or simply don’t have the time to create all of your own materials, consider this welcome back bulletin board sign kit from Amazon. You get everything you need to create a Welcome Back sign with lots of color contrasts and graphics that are sure to please.
Welcome Back Bulletin Board FAQS
What is the best type of welcome back bulletin board?
One that inspires kids to read, write, think, and dream in color and innovation.
Why is a good bulletin board important for your classroom?
Like a billboard when you’re driving down the interstate, a bulletin board serves as a reminder of “what’s coming up” in your class, your philosophy of teaching, etc. and it gives kids (and parents) an idea of what to expect from your class.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a simple Fall backdrop with a welcome sign or a complex web of artistic inspiration, we hope you will find something in our list to help you create your welcome back bulletin board!
At Teachsimple.com, we know the life of a teacher is not easy because we are teachers and we understand teaching! We hope to simplify the process by offering sound tips and information on our blog, as well as offerings in our store that will help you put things together in record time.
We want you to inspire and be inspired and we may that all possible.
