Pattern Frames!

I used to think that bulletin boards would be one of those really fun and exciting parts of teaching.  Well, it turns out that I am a teacher who tries her hardest to come up with a few bulletin boards that can stand the test of time (at least half of the school year, if not more), so that I do not have to change them very often.  I find that I would rather put my effort and energy into powerful teaching, not bulletin boards.  However, every now and again I can do both.

Once we are coming to the close of our kindergarten pattern study, I assign a homework assignment to have my kids create their own pattern frames.  It is a chance for the artistic and crafty kids to really go for it, and an opportunity for all of them to practice.

After I have most, if not all, of the frames, I display them on our hallway bulletin board.  I put a picture of each child inside their frame (or just up on the board if they did not turn in their homework).  This is one more way for them to see their class community, and the kids LOVE seeing their frames in the hall every day.  I like that it is an easy pattern reminder for them for the rest of the year!

I worked on putting up our frames over the holiday break, and I can’t wait for my kids to see them!  Here are some of this year’s frames:

If you would like to try out the assignment, you can download it for free by clicking on this link: Pattern Frame Homework!  What kind of teacher are you when it comes to bulletin boards?  What are your favorite ways of creating boards that support learning?