I love, love, loved my bulletin boards from last year.
I think having a board with the lines and spaces labeled up at the front of the room was really helpful, especially while students were playing recorders.
I loved my quote board a lot. I know it was over the head of my little ones, but I explained what it meant to my 3rd-5th grades and I think it was great for showing them that I truly believe that each student plays a crucial part in my classroom, and that even if THEY feel they are not good at music, they should still participate because they do add something so special.
I almost wanted to just leave these boards up for this coming year, but I think the kids love it to have something new and exciting on the walls when they come in, and I love having a fresh look.
I have been on the search all summer for something that would inspire me when I entered my classroom.
Here are my inspiration pictures and quotes:
In my search for music and ocean pictures and quotes, I came across an article with this title:
"Music is like the ocean, it does not belong to any one race or culture"
I loved that too, but wanted to simplify it a bit more to "Music is like the ocean, it belongs to everyone"
So there was my inspiration to build my theme around for my room. I love it! Then I remembered I had already done this set of posters for the new Core Arts Music Standards:
So since I already had purchased all the nautical clip art and backgrounds, I thought I would put them to good use in my new room theme.
I knew I wanted another lines and spaces bulletin board, so I came up with "Sailing Through the Staff". I had also thought about "Boats are Sailing in their Place, on a Line or in a Space", but it was a little too much like last year.
I'm going to show you how I set up this board for anyone who wants some ideas:
Here's what my room looks like after the summer. Luckily, I was able to leave my velcro circle and board spots on the floor and everything is relatively in its place on my shelves.
To start off with I added my background to the bulletin board, stapling it into place. You can use butcher paper or fabric, but I used a $1.00 plastic tablecloth from Dollar Tree. I get more variety in colors that way!
For the staff lines, I used streamers or crepe paper. Instead of stapling it right away, I begin by taping it. I just kind of eyeball it and I was actually covering up the folds from the tablecloth and it worked out perfectly. Once the staff lines are taped, I added the boats and lifesavers with double stick tape.
(ok, so funny note about these pictures- I had my laptop set up on video because I was going to do a whole tutorial. Then my laptop died and I left my cord at home, and what I had recorded the volume was way too quiet. But I took some screenshots from it and figured I could just write out the directions!) Such is life!
Once I saw everything was where I wanted it to be, I would staple the streamers into place and cut off anything that was hanging over the edge of the board (including the tape).
Next, I lifted up all of the boats that were on a line and put a staple behind them to help keep the streamers in place. This bulletin board is by a door to the outside and when the band teacher comes in my room via that door on a windy day, it can send things flying, so I have to make sure everything on this board is really nailed down.
Last year I didn't staple my birds in place and they stayed for pretty much the whole year. I would have one fly off every now and then, so this year, I put double sided tape on the back of the boats and lifesavers and one staple per picture. I really don't like to see a lot of staples, so I do everything I can to hide them.
For the finishing touches, I added 2 borders (one was a sparkly pink, the other was navy with white polka dots) clouds, 2-3 inch letter die cuts and a light house.
Here's the final result:
If you would like these ready made printables for your board, you can purchase them
here. I am working on a music room decor bundle that I will add to as I complete each thing. It is available
here.
So far it includes this bulletin board kit, binder covers, and the NCCAS Music Standards Poster Set.
Here's a peak at what I am working on next:
I knew I wanted to save one bulletin board for Solfa Street. Then I thought, "Why not make it SOLFA SEA!?!?!"
I am not done with the bulletin board yet, but I plan on going to my school to crank it out later this afternoon.
Then I have one big bulletin board where I will put the "Music Washes Away..." or "Music is like the ocean..." quote. Still haven't decided. Let me know which one you think I should do in the comments below!