Author: TCR Staff

Your Better Than Paper Questions, Answered

image shows Better Than Paper bulletin board paper rolls in different designs. There are six designs shown: large black-and-white checkers, bright yellow, purple and lavender checkers, pink composition notebook print, night sky, and white shiplap. Text overlay reads: Better Than Paper

If you’re a teacher, chances are you’ve heard of our Better Than Paper® Bulletin Board Paper. It’s every educator’s secret to Pinterest-worthy classroom displays that last all year long.

We’ve rounded up the most frequent questions we receive about this revolutionary material to help you decide how best to use it for a spring refresh, summer displays, or even for our type A friends to start Back-to-School planning.

What is Better Than Paper used for?

It’s designed as a durable bulletin board background, but it also works on doors, for display walls, and as a decorative cover for old or damaged walls and whiteboards.

If your classroom doesn’t come with a bulletin board, you can use Better Than Paper to create an instant bulletin board anywhere in your classroom. Simply cut the roll to your desired size, outline with cute classroom border trim, then ta-da! Instant display for student work, important class information, or makeshift whiteboard.

How can I use it outside of the classroom?

While designed for high-use learning spaces, Better Than Paper can be used in dozens of creative ways outside of the classroom as well. Here at Teacher Created Resources, we use it as wipeable table covers, cubicle and office decor, and as backgrounds to maximize the impact of our fun seasonal displays.

It’s also a great choice for parties. Hang Better Than Paper on a wall for an instant photo booth backdrop or step-and-repeat. Or, display on or behind food and gift tables to instantly elevate your event decor.

How do I install Better Than Paper?

It is not self-adhesive, so we recommend using staples, hot glue, packing tape, or specialized mounting tape to hang on classroom walls and bulletin boards.

How do I attach it to a chalkboard or a whiteboard?

Put painter’s tape or mauvulus tape down on an old chalkboard or whiteboard. Then, use Better Than Paper Tape or hot glue on top of the painter’s tape to hang without damage to the surface underneath.

What about attaching Better Than Paper to metal surfaces?

If your surface is magnetically-receptive, such as a metal door or some whiteboards, you can also attach magnets to the Better Than Paper with hot glue, then attach it to your

How do I attach Better Than Paper to a brick wall?

Use hot glue to attach it to a brick wall. The glue sticks well but peels off easily when you’re ready to take it down. Alternatively, you can use adhesive wall mounting strips (such as Velcro Command strips) to secure the bulletin board paper into place.

What size is each roll?

Each standard-sized Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Paper roll measures 4′ x 12′. Our Fun Size rolls measure 18″ x 12′.

Is Better Than Paper reusable?

Yes! You can roll it up or store it flat to reuse each school year, saving money for essential supplies or new themed decor.

What can I use to write on it?

You can use dry-erase markers or liquid chalk markers to write on Better Than Paper.

How do I clean it?

Better Than Paper cleans easily with a damp cloth, so you can use it in high-traffic areas without it looking dingy. Plus, you can also wipe it clean with disinfectant as well, to prevent the spread of germs.

Is Better Than Paper durable?

Yes, it’s made from a thick, fabric-like material that resists tears, rips, and wrinkles. But unlike fabric, it cuts easily with scissors. Simply lay it out flat, trace the cut lines on the back of your Better Than Paper using a ruler or yard stick, and cut along the lines when you’re done.

Does it leave staple holes?

Nope. Pin and staple holes disappear, so you can swap out and reposition decor until its just right.

Will Better Than Paper fade?

Nope. Unlike traditional bulletin board paper and cloth, Better Than Paper colors stay vibrant and avoid fading in the sun. It’s a great choice for sunny learning spaces with lots of natural light.

Is it fire-safe?

Yes! It has been tested, and is not considered to be a flammable solid material according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission 16 CFR 1500.3(c)(6)(vi).

Does Better Than Paper work in hot and humid settings?

You bet. Better Than Paper is heat resistant, so it doesn’t warp, curl, or rip. It’s great near sunny areas or in humid classrooms.

What if it gets wet?

Not a problem! Better Than Paper is water resistant, so it’s perfect to use in sensory areas, sinks, or near water tables. If your classroom leaks on a rainy day, it will hold up (and protect whatever is hiding behind it).

Where can I buy Better Than Paper?

You can purchase Better Than Paper on the Teacher Created Resources website or at your favorite teacher supply store.

Calm Down Corner Ideas

Research shows that when students can name their feelings and utilize effective emotional regulation strategies, their relationships with teachers and peers improve, their academic engagement improves, and they’re more likely to have better learning outcomes.

Emotional Regulation in the Classroom

Give students a head start on identifying their emotions and self-regulation with a classroom calm down corner. A calm down corner, sometimes called a mindfulness corner, is a dedicated classroom space where children can go to help them manage big emotions, such as anxiety, sadness, and anger.

Going to the calm down corner must be voluntary—forcing a child to isolate themselves is more punitive than helpful, especially when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Instead, focus on creating a space that feels safe and comforting to any student experiencing big feelings.

Creating a Tranquil Calm Down Corner

Appeal to every student by creating a space with the coziest, most relaxing vibes you can create in a school space. Use soft blankets, squishy stuffies, and fuzzy pillows to add textural elements that help calm racing minds and anxious bodies.  

Opt for soft lighting, such as twinkle lights, for a visually soothing ambiance. If you have harsh overhead lights in your classroom, consider covering them with removable ceiling light filters to remove harsh glares.

Positive posters and welcoming signage can help foster a sense of belonging, which can mitigate the isolation felt by overwhelmed students. Choose a poster pack or bulletin board set with colors and artwork that you feel would resonate with your students and complement your current classroom aesthetic. 

Building Focus Through Stimulation

Stimulation is necessary for emotional regulation for many children, including those with neurodivergence. Relaxing music, nature sounds, or white noise can block out startling environmental noises and help lower stress so students can focus on classroom tasks. Tactile fidgets and sensory toys can help bring students out of their head and into their body by providing an outlet for extra energy. Engrossing books offer another quiet way for students to relax enough to re-engage with their classmates.

Improving Outcomes for Every Student

When students are equipped with the tools and strategies they need to successfully manage their big feelings, they’re able to stay connected to teachers and classmates, return to a calm emotional state more quickly, and participate in class effectively. All of this helps ensure that every child achieves better learning experiences and outcomes, making school more effective for all students.

4 Tips for Teaching Black History Month

Happy 100 years of Black History Month!

Celebrate “A Century of Black History Commemoration” this February by highlighting how the legacy and underreported achievements of Black people have shaped history in America and around the world.

Create an inclusive classroom culture and well-rounded curricula with these tips for teaching Black History Month.

Focus on triumphs rather than just trauma.

Teaching about African enslavement all the way up to modern hardships that the Black community has endured (and still endures) is important, but these historical events and time periods alone don’t do justice to the complex contributions of influential Black Americans in politics, culture, STEM, and the arts. Ensure a well-rounded curriculum by highlighting contributions of people and organizations like mathematician Katherine Johnson, the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, and President Barack Obama.

Study primary sources created by Black people.

Centering the Black voice and experience in your teachings is essential so that students can learn about historical events and time periods through the voices of those who lived through them. Compare perspectives outlined by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois, listen to the speeches of Frederick Douglass, study poetry by Langston Hughes and Amanda Gorman, or explore the music and lyrics from Billie Holiday up through Kendrick Lamar. 

Make connections to present-day struggles.

Engage students by showing how historical leadership, activism, and policy have shaped modern movements, from Nat Turner’s Rebellion to the Selma March to Black Lives Matter.

Incorporate marginalized voices year-round.

Black History IS history. Present well-known historical events and groups, such as the Freedman’s Bureau, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Black Panther Party, through the perspectives of Black change-makers that are often overlooked in traditional textbooks. Challenge students to view pivotal moments through a new lens. How does this change their perception?

This Black History Month, audit your old curriculum and adjust your teaching methods to be culturally responsive, inclusive, and comprehensive.

Teacher’s Choice: Our 2025 Best-Sellers

New year, same classroom? Not you!

Get all of the inspiration you need for a 2026 learning space refresh with our most popular products of the past year, categorized by type! From trendy Cool for School composition and checkered decor to top-tier incentives and card games, these are teachers’ favorite things from 2025.

🏆 Top Bulletin Board: Cool For School Happy You Are Here

Make every student feel energized and welcome in your classroom with this colorful bulletin board set, featuring composition print, checkers, and school motifs.

🥈 Runner Up: Moving Mountains Road Trip The Adventure Begins Bulletin Board

🏆 Top Border Trim: White with Black Squiggles Die-Cut

Bring a playful vibe to any bulletin board, door, or desk with this fresh, fun border trim. Pair with more monochromatic decor for a modern look, or add color for a trendy look that pops!

🥈 Runner Up: Wildflowers Straight Border Trim

🏆 Top Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll: Cool for School Checkers

Create a cute and colorful classroom with this checkered bulletin board material, featuring a pastel rainbow of trendy colors. Attach anywhere using Better Than Paper Mounting Tape.

🥈 Runner Up: White Shiplap Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll

🏆 Top Letters: Friendship Beads Circle Letters

Celebrate friendship with these circle letters! Designed to look like a beaded friendship bracelet, these letters are perfect for creating a friendly atmosphere in any classroom.

🥈 Runner Up: Everyone is Welcome 4″ Bold Block Letters Combo Pack

🏆 Top Chart: Cool for School Composition Happy Birthday Chart

Never forget a birthday with this school-inspired classroom chart! Add students and their birthdays to each month, and make every child feel seen on their special day.

🥈 Runner Up: Cool for School Composition Welcome Chart 

🏆 Top Incentive: Pencil Charms

Reward students for outstanding work, good class behavior, and reaching other school milestones with these adorable charms. 

🥈 Runner Up: Bubble Gum Smelly Stickers

🏆 Top Game: Math Splat Game: Division

Help children master division facts up to 144 ÷ 12 with this fast-paced card game. The caller reads a quotient aloud, then players must quickly scan the cards in front of them. If someone spots a division problem with the same answer, they say “SPLAT!” and flip the card over. The first player to flip over all of their cards wins!

🥈 Runner Up: Math Splat Game: Multiplication

🏆 Top Banner: Cool for School Welcome to Our Classroom

Welcome students during Back to School, parents and families during Back to School Night, or anyone at a school event with this trendy banner. Featuring composition and lined prints, pastel colors, and school motifs, this energizing banner adds playful vibes to any space.

🥈 Runner Up: Buzzing Bees Welcome Banner

🏆 Top Storage: Black Chair Pocket

Keep students organized and your classroom clutter-free with this attractive and minimalist chair pocket. Featuring a large clear pocket that holds a name plate up to 3½” x 11½” and 7 storage pockets, these organization solutions offer plenty of space for every student’s school necessities.

🥈 Runner Up: Blue, Teal & Lime Chair Pocket

🏆 Top Book: My Own Spelling Dictionary

Encourage students to create their very own spelling dictionary with these books! Each My Spelling Dictionary provides lists of words for each letter of the alphabet and certain types of words. Blank lines on each page allow children to add new words as they encounter them, and black-and-white outlines spark creativity as each child can make them their own.

🥈 Runner Up: Daily Warm-Ups: Reading, Grade 1

For more of our most popular products of 2025, check out all of our best-sellers here.