Bulletin Board Buzz

One of my favorite parts about being an educator is using creative ways to display information! Interactive bulletin boards are always a fun way to keep students engaged while still meeting standards. Each of these bulletin board examples come from my time as a Resident Academic Mentor (RAM). During my two years as a RAM it was my job to educate students on all aspects of college life. This included navigating classes, the campus, healthy relationships, etc. Below are some examples of some of my favorite boards, which include some of my favorite puns!!

Understanding a Health Relationship

The students I served typically had a lot on their plates and a lot of changes happening for them all at once. I decided on this bulletin board because college is a prevalent time for new relationships to begin. However, because students are extremely busy it can lead to tension in the relationship and ultimately create an unhealthy dynamic. This bulletin board uses the acronym "BAE", or before all else, to incorporate a food into the conversation and gain student interest. Students stopped to read the board and came to our graduate student led discussion based on thriving in a healthy relationship and understanding the signs of relationship abuse because of the relevant content and bagels that were served. I love using funny plays on words to engage students, regardless of what age!

URI Website Navigation

This Finding Nemo themed board helped students find information about classes, advising appointments, and announcements online. Each character had a website to explain. For example, the "Starfish" discussed the website used to make advising appointments as undergrads which so happened to also be called "Starfish"! I loved creating funny quotes to go along with the board and hearing students shout "42 Wallaby Way, Sydney" each time they went by.

Nov. Thanksgiving ThemeThis activity brought together our hall community and encouraged us to step back to think about the small or large things in our life that are thankful for! I delivered a feather to each students door and encouraged students to drop off their feather during my office hours. This also served as an opportunity to touch base with them on their semester.

Freshman Class Registration: Follow the Yellow Brick Road

This bulletin board included step by step information on how first time freshman should handle class registration. What I loved so much about this board was how often the light colors on a black background caught the student's eye. To follow up with this I visited each student door to door with cookies and my witch hat, being sure class registration wouldn't get them and their little dog too!

Buddy the Elf: What's your Favorite Study Habit?

With finals quickly approaching, who doesn't love a funny way to get students thinking about ways to be prepared for their first set of finals! Each photo paired well with the college study habit tip. My favorite reminded students to get a good night sleep for (at least) the entire week leading up to finals, the Buddy Photo attached quoted "I got a full 30 minutes!" Happy Finals Season!