Handa’s Surprise, originally uploaded by LindaH.

This interesting classroom display is currently one of the most viewed photos in the Classroom Displays group on Flickr and I can see why!
Not all displays have to be for children’s work. This display was created by a Year 2 TA last year and shows how an eye-catching display can be used to carry story prompts.
This can be an effective teaching tool if the display is kept fresh by building up the prompts as the class explores story writing. The display needs to be pointed to as a classroom resource where children can be reminded to look. The same prompts can be used by the children as checklists for editing their own work.
This particular classroom display was so lovely that it transferred to the library after Year 2 had moved on.

I like this display from Clare in the Sparklebox Displays Gallery. The use of a black background with the red mounting and border emphasises the dramatic nature of the subject. I think the flame shaped ‘fast facts’ work well too. I’d like to have seen the children’s work mounted onto red too and perhaps even shaped like the facts. It might be petty of me but I’d also like the work to be either lined up straight or deliberately skewed - just off square grates on my visual senses

The Great Fire of London is an important topic for Year 2 history. The QCA guidelines give a good framework for dealing with what could be a difficult subject for Keystage 1 and seem to have the level about right.

With more TAs finding themselves teaching classes like History to cover PPA time I think we’ll see lessons sticking even closer to the QCA. It would be a shame though if they didn’t take the chance to explore some of the more interesting web based resources for the topic.

• The Museum of London has a Day by Day guide to the fire which is a bit like a blog.
• Samuel Pepys is an interesting site but it’s going to need a lot of interpreting for Year 2
• There are also some basic free downloads relating to the topic to use in displays available on the Sparklebox web site.

Library Checkout, originally uploaded by Girl Least Likely To.

Elizabeth says:

Here’s an easy way to keep track of the books your students are reading. It didn’t take much space: note the removable bulletin board.

I think this is a lovely idea. Quick to do, it provides an instant, visual check on readers. But the big plus is that the children can manage it themselves. With a bit of adjustment they could even individualise their pockets. I wonder if it could be adapted for use with reading schemes?

This is the first in a series of displays aimed at staff rather than pupils. Let’s not forget that the school is a workplace for adults and, hopefully, a learning organisation for all. Displays that use humour can be a useful reminder and motivator for staff. Just change them often before the joke palls.

Adrian Bruce is an Australian teacher who is a great source of posters and classroom ideas. He also has a super blog (A Teacher’s Toolbox) full of good ideas. This one should be printed up A3, I think

A Poster to go by the School Photocopier

* In years to come will you be stopped in the street by an ex-student and they will bow down before you and thank you for all the exciting worksheets they gave? I don’t think so! * Please challenge your students and teach them to think. * Please give your students a 21st Century Literacy skillset. * Please hang this poster next to your school’s photocopier.

The Year 3 DT and Science topics link together nicely this half term. In DT the children are exploring and making healthy sandwiches and in Science we are looking at teeth, food groups and the benefits of exercise. This is one of those displays that will develop as the topic goes on. The silver backing allows for easy use of blu tack and means that the display can evolve and change as the topic progresses. Dividing it up into discreet areas helps too.

On a personal note this will probably be my last display at my current school. As of next week I’m moving on. I’ll miss friends and colleagues of course but things must change to improve. I’ve been promised a regular supply of display photos though so there are no worries there!