When I choose bulletin boards to display, I always try to choose one that has meaning for the kids. During the fall months, I like to focus on thankfulness and gratitude. We discuss these important social skills every day and complete many activities to reinforce the ideas. I’d love to share my fall gratitude bulletin board activity with you!
Ideas for a fall bulletin board can come from student activities
When I create a bulletin board, I find that the best ones always feature student work! Fellow teachers enjoy seeing what past and future students have created and the kids like seeing their hard work hanging on the wall. It makes for wonderful classroom community to be able to point out their work as we walk past on our way to lunch or recess.
This fall bulletin board comes with a meaningful activity that teaches students a valuable life lesson. We like to pair this gratitude activity with a fun read aloud. The books mentioned below can be found on Amazon and many of them are available on youtube to listen to.
- A Little Thankful Spot by Diane Alber (5-7 years)
- Gratitude is my SuperPower by Alicia Ortego (ages 4 – 9 years)
- Grateful Ninja by Mary Nhin (3-11 years)
- Thankful by Eileen Spinelli. (ages 2 – 6 years)
- Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora (5 – 9 years)
- Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes (ages 4 – 8)
Have a class discussion about what it means to be grateful
I know you are all familiar with chart paper and making lists as a class! We really enjoy having whole group discussions about our lesson. I like to ask the students which are happier – grateful people or ungrateful people. I then ask them what they want to be, happy or unhappy. We talk about how happiness is a byproduct of being grateful for all the things and people we have in our lives.
With younger students, you can create a chart together. You can either write the words you come up with as a class or draw simple pictures for them. Older students can be put into groups. Give them post-its and allow them to brainstorm ideas that represent grateful and ungrateful. Have them place the post-its on the chart paper as they finish.
Begin your Fall Bulletin Board with a Gratitude Activity
To start the gratitude fall bulletin board, give students these polaroid cutouts to fill in. You can have them each complete one or multiple. Students draw what they are grateful for OR what they LOOK like when they are grateful. They also complete the sentence under the picture to show what they are grateful for.
I always love reading what my students are grateful for. It gives me a little glimpse into their hearts.
Use the Fall Bulletin Board Pieces to Create a Fun & Meaningful Display
Once students have filled out their polaroid images, I usually let them share with the class. Depending on time, you can even have them break into their groups to discuss.
The fall bulletin board display features the word GRATITUDE and the definition: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Add the decorative pumpkins, banner and the kids work for the perfect display.
Fall Bulletin Board Ideas Can Be Meaningful & Purposeful
While I love decorating my room and making it cozy and inviting, I recognize that a display should always have a purpose. Students should be able to look around the room and gather information or be reminded of a meaningful lesson when they see their work. Everything you display should have a purpose. This display is meaningful and is a great reminder of the importance of gratitude and what it means to be grateful.
I really enjoy putting this display up each fall! I have a growing bulletin board bundle as well as students activities in my TpT shop! Click on the images below to check them out.
You may also like these previous blog posts:
- The Cutest Activity for Halloween That Includes a Bonus Bulletin Board!
- A Fun Halloween Multiplication Activity Every Student Will Love
- Thanksgiving Activities for the Classroom Every Grade Level Will Enjoy!
