Please help me think of some creative American Lit bulletin board ideas for high school.?

Question

I found one that uses an American quilt theme with the authors on pieces that represent their time period. I would like any that utilize the time periods, the authors, the genres, or characteristics of American literature and that are age appropriate for high school.

Thanks! (Serious answers only, please!)

I have done EXTENSIVE searching on the internet. Most sites are relevant to early childhood classrooms.

Answer 1

Off the top of my head:

Graphic novels - display info in cartoon strip style
theme of 'goals' - display ideas on footballs
concept of reflection - display material on tinfoil type mirrors
theme of conflict - display ideas on members of opposing sports teams
personal reading - place book jacket reviews on a map of regional origin
science fiction - make a moonscape with info on planets in the sky or craters on the surface
flawed character - make a courtroom scene with characters' speech bubbles containing accusations
Mystery or thriller - make a jigsaw puzzle with some of the pieces fitting together and the key aspects of the mystery 'not fitting' or unconnected
plot structure- use a digital camera to make a photo story version of your text using your class,. then post the pics with captions underneath

You just need to use your imagination - ask the kids for ideas and you won't be stuck. Do a class competition to see who can come up with the best bulletin board ideas - involve them in being creative!

Also look at some library websites to see how they present literature for young adults.

In any case, there is SO much information available on the internet, I am really surprised you have not done some searching first. I suggest you do some Boolean searching using these sorts of keywords:

thematic
display
literature

and then add some of your own terms, like genre-specific terms, "literary structure" "F. Scott Fitzgerald" etc Use whatever terms you want to explore in your lit unit.

Good luck!

PS Try:
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=%22high+school%22+literature+%22bulletin+boards%22&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

And the Schrock Guide is always a good place for evaluated Internet resources (she has some specifically for High Schoolers):

http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/bulletin/index.html
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/bulletin/secbrd.html

I taught high school English for 10 years, and was a school principal.

Answer 2

When I taught American Lit, I went in chronological order and included a lot of history, etc along with it, so I began the year with a rough timeline. We began discussing what the students knew/remembered about American History and/or literature. I then told them the other important movements we would be covering. Each student then became responsible for researching a literary/historical movement and presenting it to the class. Each also had to make something to go on the large timeline in the classroom. This became a point of reference throughout the year, and each student was an "expert" in one area covered. Of course, we added to it as the year progressed and we learned more about each period.
I think this timeline, which actually wrapped around my classroom, could be adapted to a bulletin board. If you don't teach chronologically, I think it could also be done thematically. Even high school students like their work displayed, so I think that's key either way.

Answer 3

I struggle with coming up with high school bulletin boards that aren't too "cheesy". I also don't have time to do a lot of changes throughout the year so I try to find something that can stay up, indefinitely, like: "Notable Quotes" or "Life of Drama" (a board that gives facts on Shakespeare's life). I would suggest you check out a "teacher store" and buy some interesting borders and motivational posters. It's quick and easy. For this year I'll be in a smaller classroom with less bulletin board space so it'll be pretty simple: yellow background, zebra print border (so fun!), a poster w/ "Top Ten Reasons to Read" and types of literature and book cut outs I purchased. The title will read "Wild About Books."

I've used this website for inspiration before. I used the "Will Power" board on a hallway display and lots of kids and students teachers liked it.
http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/edusvc/instruct/bulletinboards/index.asp

Good luck this school year!

Answer 4

I don't know that I have a specific idea, more like general ideas that may help you a bit. What ever you choose should be brightly colored and should be something that will draw in the students' interest.

You don't need to really even purchase pre-made materials if you have a color printer. You can have famous quotes and pictures of the authors, the cover art of their books, pictures of characters or places from the books and make a collage of them. You can either laminate your creation or even better use decoupage. That way you won't have a glare and it will preserve the color of your art. Go to: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/decoupage/a/012201a.htm to learn how to do decoupage.

Then, you could have a contest of sorts with your students to see how many different pieces of literature they can identify from the board. It would be a great way for the students to really take notice of the board and would get them thinking about American Literature!

Answer 5

Using an artifact from a given time period (such as that quilt) is always a good idea.

Other ideas:

Venn Diagram "masked" with story theme design(s), with story images implanted that compare then-and-now, the story characters vs. the real people (students), etc. As much as possible, have the students creating the bulletin board rather than you.

Genres -- Have the students design and make "characters" that reflect each genre, holding information about the genre.

Authors -- Have your bulletin board turn into a "talk show" or Round Robin, with the authors of interest sharing about themselves.

Etc.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Please help me think of some creative American Lit bulletin board ideas for high school.?
I found one that uses an American quilt theme with the authors on pieces that represent their time period. I would like any that utilize the time periods, the authors, the genres, or characteristics of American literature and that are age appropriate for high school.

Thanks! (Serious answers...

Answer 7

I try to build my boards around my units. I pull all sorts of related items. I use the word wall idea, featuring key words from the unit. I put pictures of the authors from throghout their lives, pull interesting quotes, show pics from the time period, etc. I use my boards to provide back-ground and key info my students may be missing.

Answer 8

check out riverdeep.net
their Thurs. online newsletter is for teachers of grades 7-12
and they have links for those grade levels in subject areas
and a place for readers to ask questions...like a reader-to-reader format