My first confession: I'm not a very big classroom and hallway decorator. I think I tried more when I worked at the elementary level, but now that I'm in secondary, I have really come to embrace the "Blank Slate" theory- leaving the walls virtually empty until the students arrive, then post their work.
Of course, I've always had the class rule board and the agenda board, and even some posters, but when I started this year, it was pretty...well...blank. That's all I had. And the posters were two anchor charts that I use often. Everything else stayed in the cabinets. Out of sight...and out of mind.
At the school where I work, we are encouraged to have a spirit and college board so I decided that would best be located on the bulletin board just outside my door so that all students, not just mine, could benefit. And that's were it stayed....until January 10th, when in mid-sentence, I had epiphany. Why not make the bulletin board a way to communicate not just what I do in my classroom, but WHY I do it?
So that's how it began. I took down the old career pathway cards and college information and then worked with a couple student aids from the Educator Rising class to create a new bulletin board. One that would hopefully communicate to both students and my colleagues.
The first activity of the new year was a "Brain Dump/ Mind Map/ Flip Grid" Mash up (you can read more about it in my blog Brain Dump). I decided to create a bulletin board with the information about Brain Dump, Mind Maps and a way to access the scientific research of Retrieval Practice. 
In addition to posting all the student work along the wall, I created a couple graphics to help illustrate what a Brain Dump and Mind Map were for those new to the terminology.
I also posted a quote, link and QR code so that those interested could find out more.
So there you have it.... My Professional Learning Board....P.L.B. A way to communicate our great ideas and instruction to the entire school community.
On a side note---I think all this epiphany-ing wore out my creativity. I was trying to come up with something a little catchier than P.L.B., but "Pirate" and "Ditch" were already taken. 😉 If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. In the mean time, I'll go back to learning, leading, and sharing.
Retrieval Practice
Mind Maps
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