Creating a meaningful reading bulletin board is one of the best ways to set the tone for your literacy block. Instead of a bulletin board that is just decorative, why not design one that is both functional and flexible? That’s exactly why I created this Rooted in Reading Bulletin Board and Reading Focus Board—a classroom display that can be used in multiple ways all year long.
Even better, I took the popular painted banner trend that’s been showing up in classrooms everywhere and turned it into a teacher-friendly bulletin board kit. No painting required—just print, cut, and display! This makes it an on-trend bulletin board idea that looks fresh but can also be used year after year.
How to Set Up Your Reading Bulletin Board
Setting up this literacy bulletin board is quick and simple. Start with your background paper. Kraft paper, white, or black work really well as a base. I’ve even used heavy-duty floor protection paper! Then, add the large letters that read “This Class is Rooted in Reading” to the center of your board. You can print them in color or use the black-and-white version on bright paper for a bold look. For the best quality and longevity, I suggest cardstock paper.
Next, decorate with the included bulletin board accents: book stack cutouts, colorful pennant banners, and borders that tie the look together. To make your display interactive, you can also add the editable book cover polaroids that let you showcase titles your class has read.
Within minutes, you’ll have a reading bulletin board display that is colorful, organized, and ready to use as a daily reference point for your students.
3 Ways to Use a Rooted in Reading Bulletin Board
What makes this board different from other classroom bulletin board ideas is that it isn’t just for decoration—it’s practical! You can use it in three different ways depending on your classroom needs:
Picture Book Display
One of the best parts of Rooted in Reading is all the amazing books you get to share with students. Use your bulletin board as a book display wall by hanging book covers or student-created polaroids of the texts you’ve read together.
To achieve this look, grab wooden clothespins, yarn, and a heavy-duty printer that can handle colorful prints. Drape and pin the yarn across the board, then pin each image as you introduce a new story to your class. Or keep it simple and tape each print to the background!
Over time, this creates a powerful visual library of your class’s reading journey and builds excitement for new stories.
Reading Focus Board
Want to keep your weekly literacy instruction organized? Turn your board into a Reading Focus Board. The resource includes headers for skills like Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Phonics, Writing, Genre, and more. This makes it easy to post your weekly targets so students know exactly what you’re learning.
Teachers love that it helps anchor instruction while giving students a constant visual reminder of their focus skills.
Student Work Showcase
Students love seeing their work on display, and this bulletin board makes it simple. Use it to highlight reading response activities, book reviews, or writing samples.
The included Open Book Craft is perfect for this—students create a book response, rate the story, and share their favorite part. Not only does this celebrate their hard work, but it also encourages ownership and pride in reading.
