3.
Topics for Closing
Bulletin Boards
☺ The final stretch -use a track
☺ Hang in there
☺ Bon voyage
☺ 10 ways to end the year with a bang
☺ Graduation
☺ Song/poem about friendship/saying goodbye
☺ Collage/scrapbook including pictures of floor activities, creating
scenes from the past year
☺ Swap shop -people wanting to sell, buy, and exchange things
☺ To do list of things to do at the end of the year
☺ Closing procedures
☺ What are you going to do this summer? -graffiti board
☺ Summer addresses
☺ Floor or hall awards
Miscellaneous Bulletin Board
Ideas
More Bulletin Board Ideas
Topics...
Many of your programs and bulletin boards will be planned around holidays, seasons,
and special weeks. Here is a list of some possible topics.
Let's begin with opening...
• "Here's looking forward to a great year" (glasses). You can use aluminum foil for
the lenses of the glasses.
• The key to a good year (picture of a key) 'Boards using words
• A toast to (insert your location) floor 'Tip your hat to a great year
• The winning combination -'Welcome in different languages ( or fun, etc. ) , Start
off the year with a bang 'Welcome to your home away from home
• "Welcome Aboard" -ship scene 'Use map showing everyone's hometown
• Make a map/diagram of the building to show where special areas are 'How to get
involved in organizations, activities
• "New Beginnings"
• Welcome mat at each door
• Totem pole with everyone having their own space "'Meet the floor" {Polaroid' s
of everyone)
• Create a layout of the floor and make paper doors that open and have information
about the residents behind the doors .Drop/add information
Closing...
• Last wills and testaments 'The final stretch on a track -'Hang in there
• Bon voyage
• 10 ways to end the year with a bang' Song/poem about saying goodbye/friendship
Collage/scrapbook including scenes from floor activities
• Swap shop (for people who want to sell/buy/exchange things) "'To Do" list
• Summer plans
• Summer addresses 'Floor or hall awards
Miscellaneous...
• Study tips
• Diet tips'
• Sign language 'Pool table/balls 'Horoscope
• Postcards
• Movie posters
• Smile boards 'Hall history
• Area restaurants' Area shopping
• Places to go that no one knows much about
• Knock-knock jokes
•
T.V. guide
Bulletin Boards
Signs to Guide You
Purpose: street sign shapes to draw attention to different directions that can be taken on
campus.
Materials: Information concerning different organizations and involvements on campus
and street sign shapes cut out of construction paper or poster board
Procedure: Use different street sign shapes with information concerning different
organizations on campus. These signs should be posted up and down the hallways
or on a bulletin board. Some of these signs may need to be
in a consecutive order to show the path that one
involvement could lead to.
Hints: Pick organizations that you already know that someone on
the floor is interested ill
In the Spotlight
Purpose: To give the residents a chance to get to know each other a little better without
having to actually meet everyone first
Materials: Someone who is willing to spend the time to organize and report their
information. Poster board and a camera
Procedure: Assign someone on the floor to be the "reporter". Every couple of weeks the
reporter has the job of interviewing certain residents on the floor. After the
interviewing process, the "reporter" is to post the information along with a picture
of the residents. This information can be left on the walls and simply added to
every week or the information can be replaced every couple of weeks.
Hints: Questions should be the same for everyone and shouldn’t be offensive to a certain
group
R U Protected
Purpose: Illustrate how to properly protect yourself during sexual activity
Materials: Instructions from the back of a condom box (package)
Procedure: Copy (to scale) and put the instructions from the box on the board. This
should be accompanied by statistics and information concerning condom usage
and its failure rate, also add stats.
Race Matters
Purpose: To show the positive side to why race does matter
Materials: Construction paper, information about the history of different races and how
they affected America
Procedure: Use different colored paper to make a collage of the u.s. Each color should
state a contribution that the race provided to American history. The colors should
all fit together to form a map of the U.S.
Hints: Use random colors
Wall of Good Thoughts
Purpose: Get the residents to express positive attitudes and thoughts through writing
Materials: Butcher block paper (a lot), markers
Procedure: Cover one wall with butcher block paper and set markers around. Then let
the residents "doodle" whatever they want to on the wall. This allows them to
vandalize without getting into trouble. It also allows them to share their thoughts
and inspirations anonymously.
Hints: Set rules about what can be written
We Are All the Same on the Inside
Purpose: Show that a human being is a human being no matter the outside appearance
Materials: Information and statistics about the similarities all humans share.
Procedure: List the information on the board (maybe do a top 10) .
Hints: This information can be about anything from conception to dying
Is Sex Worth the problems?
Purpose: Review the important things in life
Materials: Information about sex i.e.: STD's, protection and the cost, pregnancy and the
cost, etc
Procedure: Post this information-in a manner that will show the worst case scenarios and
then next to it put something about how much easier and cheaper it would be to
just not have to deal with sex in your life.
Hints: Get prices from the Health Center also
How Lucky We Are
Purpose: Heighten disability awareness among residents Materials: Information about
life with disabilities
Procedure: Post information in a way that shows the advantages of having a "perfect"
body compared to someone who has a disability. Show how people have to deal
with their disability everyday. This should give the residents an idea of how lucky
they are.
Hints: Cover physical as well as mental disabilities
Remember the Man and His Dream
Purpose: Bring awareness of Martin Luther King, Jr. and black history to the floor
Materials: Information about Mr .King and black history
Procedure: Post the information about black history with an emphasis on Mr. King. Put
up a copy of the "I have a dream" speech. Fill in empty spaces with names of
black leaders of that time i.e. Rosa Parks, etc.
Hints: Focus on the accomplishments and good things more than the setbacks and
hardships
Are You Normal
Purpose: Portray how "Normal" does not mean the same thing to everyone
Materials: Information (statistics) about "normal" people.
Procedure: Post the information in a Top 10 or 20 formation. This should give the
residents an idea that there really is no such thing as normal.
Love Is...
Purpose: To display the different views of what Love Is
Materials: Markers, construction paper
Procedure: Make heart (or other appropriate) shapes out of construction paper. There
should be enough for each resident to have one. Hand out the hearts to the
residents and have them write on the heart their personal definition of what love
is. These can be anonymous or they can sign there names. These should be
displayed on a bulletin board with a title of "Love Is. .."
Hints: This also works well for other topics such as. ..prejudice, discrimination, etc.
Century in Review
Purpose: Give residents a fun and informative way to look back at interesting events of
the past.
Materials: Information about each decade of the 1900's (Decade In Review), lots of
construction paper, and supplies for making visual aids
Procedure: Take each decade and pick out interesting facts or events and make a visual
aid for each one that you wish to display. Post one decade up every week. This
will take you 9-10 weeks to post and then by the time that you get to the current
decade, the residents will have caught on to what you are doing. When you get to
the last decade let the residents display what they think was important about the
decade. All the information needed is available in the Unit 5 of this book
Hints: This will take a lot of time and effort, so be prepared to finish if you start. Since
this takes 9-10 weeks to complete, it is best started at the beginning of a semester.
Turning Point
Purpose: To shed light on the fact that attitude makes a big difference Materials:
Inspirational quotes, construction paper, markers, etc.
Procedure: Display the quotes on a board and add one each day for a set amount of time.
Maybe even allow the residents to add what they want. At the end of the set time,
gather up the residents and ask if residents noticed the quotes and if any of quotes
affected them.
Hints: Choose quotes from a variety of different people
Which Part of “No” Don’t You Understand?
Purpose: To illustrate the meaning of "NO" and how it does not always work Materials:
Statistics concerning domestic violence and rape
Procedure: Display this information on the board. Illustrate how most cases of domestic
abuse are cases where it has happened more than once, but the couple still are
together. This should portray that if you say "N 0" you have to mean it, too. You
need to follow through with threats. Also post information on how to legally
protect yourself.
Hints: Use information from O.P.S. as well as State/Local Police
Sleeping with the Enemy
Purpose: To inform residents of how the person that you are with could become violent
at any time
Materials: Information about domestic violence and how it does not always start at the
beginning of a relationship
Procedure: Post information in the form of a story. Follow an imaginary couple through
the stages of their relationship. Start out with them being normal and very loving.
Then show how the relationship progresses slowly into a very violent relationship.
Hints: Maybe even goes so far as to have her stay with him because she "loves" him and
having her end up in the hospital because of his "love". This can also be used to
show how alcohol and other drugs can affect the outcome.
How to Pull an All-Nighter the Right Way
Purpose: To inform resident about studying the safe way
Materials: Information on drugs used to stay awake and some natural ways to keep from
being so tired all of the time
Procedure: Post information warning about the dangers of using drugs of any kind to
keep you awake. List the other natural ways to keep yourself awake and to keep
from being tried to start with i.e. exercise, and eating right.
Hints: Have sign-up sheets for those interested in working out together
I Am Woman
Purpose: To celebrate how great it is to be a woman
Materials: Information on the great contributions women have made to the world, etc.
Procedure: Post this information in a fashion as to make it a proud part of our society to
be a woman
Hints: Use women of history and women of the present.
Recycle
Purpose: Make the residents aware of the recycling available to us on campus
Materials: Construction paper, markers, and trash
Procedure: Use real products, attach them to the board. Find statistics about each one
and post them near the product. Good time to put boxes in the hallway for things
such as glass and tin cans. Post information about local recycling centers and
programs.
Fish Facts
Purpose: Give residents some statistics about water pollution
Materials: Construction paper, makers, etc.
Procedure: Make a fish bowl on the board. Make fish to go in the bowl. Post facts about
water pollution on each fish and place the fish upside down at the top of the
water.
Oh - Zone
Purpose: To raise awareness about the depleting ozone layer
Materials: Construction paper, markers, etc.
Procedure: Draw an earth with clouds all around it. Under each cloud have a pollutant
written. Every day for a week or so remove one of the clouds to reveal that the
pollutant under it has eaten a hole in the ozone. This should be accompanied by
facts about the rate of depletion.
Those Killer Rays
Purpose: Inform residents about the harmful affects of the sun
Materials: Construction paper, information about affects of the sun
Procedure: List information in a story form. Show a guy / girl tanning in the sun and add
a caption about how the sun is affecting him/her. Make each caption a little more
harmful and make him/her a little darker color. End with him/her looking like a
piece of charcoal.
Crossword puzzle
Purpose: Fun and informative way to educate
Materials: Paper, ruler, scissors, and markers
Procedure: Easy Methods: Measure squares (for each letter) 2"x2". Either cut out
individually then place together or cut words out together in long chains of
squares. Place the squares accordingly on the board. Be sure to number the words
correctly.
Hints: Clues for the words can be placed close to the board or scattered throughout the
floor (more challenging) .A prize might be awarded to the first person who
answers them correctly. Use information concerning a certain subject i.e. alcohol,
Macomb, WIU, etc.
So You’re in Love
Purpose: Illustrate how STDs and HIV / AIDS can easily spread
Materials: Construction paper, markers, tape
Procedure: Cut out or draw on paper 16 stick person figures (non-gender or race
specific). Now either cut out letters or write them on paper. There are 5 different
captions. The first reading: "So you're in LOVE ..." then show two figures. The
second, "So you have SEX ..." add two more figures. The third, "So statistically
each person you have SEX with has had SEX with at least two other people." add
four more figures. The forth, "So Statistically, each of those people has had SEX
with at least two others people." add eight more figures. The last "So how many
people have you had SEX with lately. These captions and figures should be
placed on the board.
The Rhythm of Our Nation
Purpose: Pinpointing societal problems that face our nation
Materials: Information concerning AIDS, Sexual Assault, Ignorance, Bigotry, Prejudice,
White Collar Crime, Homeless, Youth Violence, Drugs, Illiteracy, and the
Environment
Procedure: Place statistics concerning each category on the board in a sort-of mesh of
information. This should portray how all of the problems seem to overlap
themselves. This should also show how these problems together make up the
world as we know it.
Fun Facts Calendar
Purpose: Give residents a fun and informative way to get ideas of what to do for each
day of the month
Materials: Poster board, markers, and a list of events for the month
Procedure: Create a giant calendar on the board and write in the events you think your
floor would be interested in. This is also a good place to list birthdays, programs,
and floor meetings.
Hints: Keep it legible.
Most Embarrassing Picture Contest
Purpose: Fun way to get to know one another and maybe to celebrate the end of a
semester
Materials: Embarrassing photos of the residents on the floor
Publicity: Announce at a floor meeting
Procedure: Set a deadline for all pictures to be handed in. After all pictures are handed
in, approve them and hang them up in the hallway or lounge. Somehow set up a
way for the floor to vote on them to see which one is the most embarrassing. The
winner should receive a prize. Voting can also be done during a floor meeting
Hints: Maybe even put the winner in the School Newspaper
Quote of the week
Purpose: Supply at least one inspirational thought per week
Materials: A collection of inspiring quotes
Procedure: Once a week post a quote somewhere that everyone will notice.
Hints: Allow residents to suggest quotes
The Babes/Hunks of (Floor Name)
Purpose: A fun way to show others on the floor what they were like as babies
Materials: Collect baby pictures from each person on your floor
Procedure: Display each baby picture on the board with the name of the person and the
age. Maybe send a self addressed, stamped envelop to parents/ guardians to get
Pictures
Hint: Maybe even leave the names of and see who can guess the names.
The Price is Right
Purpose: To give residents an idea what vandalism can really cost them
Materials: Construction paper, marker, list of vandalism prices
Procedure: Place “price” tags on items on the hall. These price tags should show how
much it would cost to repair vandalism to each item.
Improving Your Bulletin Boards
•
Be creative by challenging yourself to use unusual materials. For example, look
around your room. What could you use on your bulletin board? How about some
old strips of cloth? Can you use them to create a new look and feel for your
board? Moving away from the traditional construction paper bulletin board can
help you make your information stand out!
•
Interactive bulletin boards are a great way to get your residents involved.
Examples of interactive bulletin boards include Graffiti Walls, displays where
residents write down their goals for the semester, boards where residents post
academic assignments that have earned them "As", etc.
•
Always keep your bulletin boards up-to-date. Bulletin boards are a great way to
passively educate students on a variety of topics. They only work, however, if
people pay attention to them.
•
Bulletin boards generally come in two types: informative and thematic.
Informative bulletin boards are those where RAs post the numerous posters,
advertisements, and flyers they receive daily. Thematic bulletin boards generally
deal with some topic, issue, or theme. Both types of boards should be creative and
pleasing to the eye. Informative boards can be broken down into categories to be
more user-friendly (i.e. Upcoming Sporting Events, Campus Services, Cultural
Events, etc.) Thematic boards can focus on specific topics like "The Life of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. " or on broad topics like "Racism."
•
Learn to think 3-D! A bulletin board doesn't have to be flat to be effective. On the
contrary, a bulletin board with some depth is a nice change of pace.
Few More Clues
Some other bulletin board tips include:
• Creating a catchy title for the board
• Balancing information with white space
• Including graphics along with the text
• Using a creative border to frame your information (i.e. hearts, stars,
pictures)
• Using flaps, envelopes, and boxes to open which hide information that
residents have to find or look for.
More Miscellaneous Bulletin
Topics for Opening Bulletin
Boards
Opening the Hall
☺ Start the Year With a Bang -use firecrackers or dynamite (out of
paper) use string for fuses.
☺ Welcome to (Name of Hall or House) -Your Home Away from Home make a house and draw stick people in the windows and doors.
☺ Here's Looking Forward to a Great Year -using glasses
☺ The Key to a Good Year -make keys with residents names and add your
floor.
☺ Here's a Toast to (Floor and Hall/House) -Cut out pieces of toast and
make a big toaster out of foil -and construction paper.
☺ Tip Your Hat to a Great Year in (Name of Hall) -Make all sorts of
different hats.
☺ The Winning Combination...(Name of Hall and floor) -Use a big
combination lock. .
☺ Welcome-In several different colors and stencils and angles.
☺ The Best of Everything can be found on (Floor)(Hall). Welcome to a
#1 floor -use a big" #1 and pennants or banners.
☺ Welcome Aboard-ship scene with stick people on board
☺ Use a map showing everyone's hometown
☺ Make a cross-Section map/diagram of the building, show special areas
☺ Campus info
☺ Info on how/Where to get involved in organizations
☺ Use your door decs, i.e. if everyone has a musical note for a door dec,
combine them to look like a musical score.
☺ Welcome mat at a door
☺ Meet your floor and put Polaroid’s of everyone
on the board or make it a “Wanted” board
☺ Instructions for how to wash clothes
☺ Have a layout of the floor, make paper doors
that will open and put info about the residents
behind the door
☺ Places to go, things to do