Author: TCR Staff

Teacher Resources

Winter Wonderland: 4 Holiday Bulletin Boards

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The days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping, and the holidays are around the corner—winter is coming!

Transition your classroom into a winter wonderland with seasonal holiday bulletin board ideas. Featuring a festive mix of border trim, Better Than Paper®, and decorative accents, these bulletin boards offer a variety of traditional and contemporary decor ideas so there’s something for every kind of teacher. Refresh learning spaces, libraries, cafeterias, offices, and more with trendy, on-season decor that integrates seamlessly into any aesthetic.

Colorful Winter

For a brightly-colored holiday display, begin by hanging Chalkboard Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll as a base. Then, add Colorful Holiday Lights Die-Cut Border Trim, the White 4″ Modern Classic Letters Combo Pack, and Multi Bright Stitch 7″ Fun Font Letters for a bright, cheerful holiday look that lights up any space with a rainbow of colors.

Create a faux fireplace using a combination of Better Than Paper rolls for a touch of modern warmth: Orange, Yellow Gold, Red, Black Brick, Fun Size Woven Stripes, Dark Wood, and White Brick. Then, add the Colorful Pom-Poms and Tassels Garland and a mantel to display additional holiday decor.

Sweet & Cozy

Bring on the sweaters, sugar cookies, and books!

Layer Gingerbread Houses Die-Cut Border Trim, Gingerbread Cookies Die-Cut Border Trim, and the Everyone is Welcome Woven Straight Border Trim (similar to shown) together to create a sweet, festive edge to any bulletin board display.

Pair this border combination with the Winter Small Poster Pack and White Shiplap Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll for a cozy, seasonal display that brings warmth to your classroom. Add XXX trim along

Classic Christmas

For a traditional red-and-green display, arrange a festive tree using a variety of green border trim cut at angles and layered into a pine tree shape. Photo includes: Hunter Green Scalloped, Green Scalloped, Eucalyptus Green Scalloped, Mint Green Scalloped, and Pine Green Scalloped. 

Add Gold Glitz Stars Accents and ornaments made out of Gold Glitz Scalloped and Red Sparkle Scalloped Border Trim for a touch of sparkle.

Next, build a fireplace using boxes and packing tape. Cover the base with Red Brick Better Than Paper and the top mantel with Fun Size Classic Wood Better Than Paper. Create a holiday display above the fireplace using Eucalyptus Green Better Than Paper as a base. Outline it with Red Sparkle Scalloped and Winter Pine Cones Straight Border Trim, then display decor from the Home Sweet Classroom Winter Mini Bulletin Board for a rustic, traditional Christmasy look.

For teachers who love all the little details, consider tucking book-filled bins (tied in a bow) under the “tree” to complete the holiday aesthetic. Frame a festive cutout—seen mounted on Corrugated Metal Straight Border Trim—in a wooden frame, or add bottlebrush trees and merry signage (drawn with Chalk Brights Liquid Chalk Markers) for a cohesive classroom look from wall to wall.

Warm Winter Wishes

If you’re looking to make a jolly visual impact but you’re short on time, grab the Warm Winter Wishes Create & Decorate Quick Kit for an easy-to-arrange display that comes together in a snap.

‘Tis the season for decor that celebrates the season of snowflakes, crackling fires, hot chocolate, and cozy scarves. Warm up any space with festive decor that keeps out the winter chill and creates a space where students stay engaged and focused all season long.

Teacher Resources

5 Ways to Use Pocket Charts for Phones in Class

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Are student cell phones causing classroom chaos?

Parents, students, and administrators are finding themselves at odds over no-phone policies on school grounds. As the number of district and schoolwide bans increase, teachers have to get creative with solutions that are easy, inexpensive, and limit distractions—all while addressing parent and student safety and communication concerns.

Pocket charts offer an inexpensive, simple way to tuck phones away during class. Teachers love the affordability and theme flexibility offered by charts, while students and parents will feel good knowing that each phone is visible through clear pockets, and not locked up in the case of an emergency.

Make the order and organization of cell phone storage trendy with a cohesive theme. From a playful “cell block” prison-style solution to an elevated cell hotel, there are tons of themes you can bring to your in-class phone storage solution.

Start with a pocket chart with ample space—such as the 35-pocket Black Storage Pocket Chart or the Black Polka Dots Storage Pocket Chart—for an inexpensive-yet-creative solution for handling cell phones in any class.

Phone Jail

Lock ‘em up! Add a touch of playfulness to “no phone” classrooms with a “cell block” jail-themed pocket chart. Black-and-white striped straight border trim invokes an old-school prison jumpsuit, creating a cohesive, creative look for phone storage.

Attendance Tracker

Instead of a traditional roll call, opt for a phone-based system instead. Instruct students to drop their cell phones into a designated, numbered pocket before class starts. Then, use each phone to mark students as present or absent. Add Confetti Straight Border Trim and Confetti Calendar Bulletin Board Display numbers for a colorful solution.

Device Parking Lot

Direct students to “park” their cell phones into this device parking lot as they enter your class. Add car-themed accents and accessories for a display that decorates and organizes, all in one. Complete the themed look with Moving Mountains Road Trip Camper Vans Accents and Road Trip Straight Border Trim.

Cell Hotel

Draw inspiration from high-end resorts with a “cell hotel” for collecting phones. Elevate the display by adding elegant accents and travel-themed decor for a solution that’s as clever as it is useful. Travel the Map Luggage Mini Accents and Travel the Map Positive Sayings Accents create a cohesive theme that students love.

Charging Station

Incentivize students to hand over their phones at the beginning of school by offering a charging station in your classroom. Decorate the pocket chart with accents, border trim, and stickers for decor that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Brights 4Ever Lightning Bolts Accents and Brights 4Ever Bold Block 4″ Letters Combo Pack brighten up this electric display.

Whether you choose to theme your decor, or keep it simple and sleek, pocket charts are the ideal solution for cell phone storage in your classroom. Soothe student anxiety while keeping your classroom free from distractions with a visible phone-storage solution.

Bulletin Board Ideas, Classroom Organization, Teacher Resources

Autumn Inspiration: Fresh Fall Bulletin Board Ideas

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School is in session and ramping up all things fall! Help students stay energized and engaged in class with autumn classroom decor ideas. Refresh learning spaces, libraries, cafeterias, offices, and more with trendy, on-season decor that integrates seamlessly into your classroom aesthetic.

Combine the Tree for All Seasons with our Hello Fall Create & Decorate Quick Kit and Burlap Better Than Paper for a look that’s fresh, fun, and fall-forward.

Layer Orange Gingham Scalloped, Everyone is Welcome Woven Straight (similar to shown), and Fall Leaves Die-Cut Border Trim together to create a textured, elevated autumnal edge to any bulletin board display.

Pair this border combination with White Shiplap Better Than Paper, Home Sweet Classroom Pumpkins Accents, and the Fall Small Poster Pack for a trendy display that covers everything from fall holidays to weather elements, so it can stay up all season long.

Embrace sweater weather with even more decor that celebrates the season of crisp air, pumpkin spice, and colorful foliage. Combine our Home Sweet Classroom Happy Fall Straight Border Trim with the “Welcome” poster from the Home Sweet Classroom Happy Fall Mini Bulletin Board to warmly invite students into your class.

For teachers who love all the little details, consider framing an autumn-inspired cutout (seen mounted on Corrugated Metal Straight Border Trim) in a wooden frame. Include natural, rustic accents such as burlap, pinecones, twine, and wood create a cohesive classroom look from wall to wall.

Bonus: Hello Fall Google Slides

School is in session, everyone is heads down, and momentum just keeps picking up. If you’re short on time and money, opt for our FREE Hello Fall Google Slides for bringing the beauty of autumn into your classroom routines.

Get your FREE Hello Fall Google Slides download now

This autumn, skip shelling out money for single-use decor—it’s easier than ever to create a stylish classroom in a snap using Teacher Created Resources. Mix and match our durable seasonal decor with neutrals for a one-of-a-kind, kid-approved classroom look that you can recreate year after year.

Classroom Management, Classroom Organization, Giveaways, Miscellaneous, Teacher Resources, Teaching Tips

Classroom Must-Haves Every Teacher Loves

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Heading back to school after summer break can be tough. Make the transition to early mornings and structured routines easier with our roundup of essential school supplies that every classroom needs (and every teacher loves).

Whether they’re first-timers or seasoned educators, all teachers know that the key to successful classroom management starts with the right tools—that function well, last a long time, and create an environment where students can thrive. We talked to the teachers in our community, and they shared their must-have classroom items for Back to School. 

The Best Writing Instruments

Every teacher needs their favorite pens and markers to make the school year a success. Look for low odor dry-erase markers that won’t trigger any smell sensitivities, and opt for a variety of colors to add a pop of color to your whiteboard. Pick pens in colors students love that dry quickly to avoid smears on classwork.

Tried-and-True Tools

Laminators are essential for preserving art projects, protecting decor, and creating classroom resources that can be used again and again. Plus, no teacher will get very far without a reliable, high-quality stapler. Modern designs allow for more accessibility, making it easier to staple bundles without jams. Finally, every class needs organizational accessories, such as hooks and clips, to keep learning spaces uncluttered and neat with easy-to-hang, removable options.

Student Incentives

Even highly motivated students need a push now and then. Encourage your class to stay engaged in learning with student incentives and prizes. Smelly stickers, fidgets, and small prizes offer positive reinforcement for good behavior, academic accomplishments, and more. Store the goodies in a treasure chest for an experience even reluctant learners will grow to love!

Classroom Tech Done Right

Teachers have long wished for the ability to quiet their class with a touch of a button, and now they can. A classroom doorbell is an easy way to get students’ attention quickly, no shouting or clapping required. Simply walk your class through how to respond to the bell at the beginning of the year, then practice, practice, practice! 

An electric pencil sharpener is another must-have on every teacher’s list. Heavy-duty sharpeners take the work out of sharpening pencils, while the variety of settings on modern models allow teachers to choose the mode that’s right for each pencil and lead, to preserve supplies as long as possible.

Kicking off a new school year right starts with creating a classroom environment that’s organized, streamlined, and feels stress-free for students and teachers alike. To help a member of our teacher community get ready for Back to School, we’ve gathered together all of these must-have goodies and more (a $450 value), plus a $250 Teacher Created Resources shopping spree. Our second prize winner will receive a $100 shopping spree at Teacher Created Resources for books, games, classroom decor, and more. 

Enter for your chance to win by August 31, 2025! For a full list of rules, click here.