Day 2- The Transformation Continues!

Remember how I said it took 4 solid days to finish my room? On day two I tackled the frames that I purchased at a local thrift store and decorated my white boards!

Bulletin Boards

First I created all of my bulletin boards. On my back wall I have two bulletin boards installed, and the middle section is open. I teach 3 grade levels, so it made sense to make that whole wall dedicated to each grade. I had to essentially create a fake bulletin board in the middle section. I covered the boards with Better than Bulletin Board Paper and double layered the borders. I also used my Cricut to create the titles for the bulletin and used vinyl from Hobby Lobby.

I use the science curriculum Open Sci Ed and a big part of that is creating Driving Question Boards. Last year, they took up my entire white board space, so I decided to try moving them to this back wall. I hung the board using clips and push pins, so I can easily remove them from the board and bring them to the front of the room when needed.

Decorative Frames

Next, I tackled creating the frames that I bought at a local non-profit called Treasures 4 Teachers. They did not have hanging hooks attached, so I used a kit from Walmart and a hammer and added some gold claw tooth hooks to the back of the frames. Surprisingly, these frames are quite lightweight.

These frames were quite large, so I bought foam board from the dollar store. I taped them together and then figured out that the duct tape showed under the bulletin board paper. Ugh! So, I got creative and hot glued some white poster board I had laying around my classroom to cover the dark tape.

Next, I covered the foam with bulletin board paper. I just used a stapler and went around the edges, pulling it tight to avoid getting wrinkles in the paper. Once that paper was secure I stapled border around the foam. I then used some heavy duty tape to secure the foam board to the back of the frame.

The last step is decorating the front of the frames. I created some science graphics on Canva and printed on cardstock, and cut out some vinyl titles and decorations using my Cricut machine. I used sticky glue dots to adhere the cardstock to the faux bulletin board.

To hang the frames, I used hardwall hangers. You have to give these a try! They leave minimal damage and they are quite secure. So much better than trying to drill holes in cinder block and using screws and anchors.

Whiteboards

I have two beautiful whiteboards that flank my TV. I like to decorate these boards to match my theme and add some visual appeal. I use the white boards periodically to draw and write things during a lesson, but it isn't my primary way of communicating information to the students. I use my TV every single day to display notes, diagrams, simulations, agendas, etc. I usually do the following to my whiteboards each year

1. Create one section for a vocabulary word wall for each grade I teach

2. Create two sections for notetaking or spontaneous drawings

3. Create one section for reminders and homework for each grade I teach

4. Outline the white board in borders using sticky back magnets

5. Add fake green ivy around the board

6. Secure some white globe lights to give it a nice glow!

Demonstration Desk

I have a beautiful science demonstration desk that takes up a large portion of the front of the room. I try to add some extra cuteness to this large space by covering it with some sticky white wood contact paper and border. I then created a banner using Canva that spells out "Investigate"

Teacher Desk Area

The last area I worked on what my teacher desk area. I had an old brown cabinet that was pretty beat up, but I love the functionality of the cabinets so I did not want to trash it. I decided to add a couple coats of white chalk paint and then cover the doors with some white wood contact paper.

Last year, my teacher desk was just a student table and while it was a perfectly fine surface, I wanted a "real" desk with some drawers and storage. So I raided my craft room at home and brought in two old IKEA desks that were just collecting dust at my house.

The IKEA desk surface was in pretty bad shape from years of crafting and young kids, so I decided to cover the brown table top with white wood contact paper. While I LOVE the look the desk, it was a horrible idea. I was exhausted trying to figure out how to get that on such a large surface and ensure the wood lines were straight and the edges of the table looked nice. Not sure it was worth the effort!