Wondering how to welcome your new students to the classroom this school year? Try this train idea from Classroom Displays and Bulletin Boards! Most students have their previous year's class picture in their file, so take advantage of this; not only to 'get to know' them before the year begins, but to personalize their new classroom!

Welcome Train Bulletin Board

• Background: Blue bulletin board paper for the sky and green bulletin board paper for grass.
• Title: "All Aboard For A Fantastic New School Year!" or "All Aboard! Next stop; Fun & Learning!"
• Border: Train-themed bulletin board border or bulletin board trimmers that match the background paper.
• Decorations: 1) The Train. Use brightly colored bulletin board paper to create several train cars, using a black Sharpie marker to add 'depth' and a three-dimensional look. Black bulletin board paper will work best to create both the train engine and wheels for all of the cars. 2) The Track. Use black fadeless bulletin board paper to create a track across the board. This will double as a divider between the 'sky' and 'grass', covering the paper seam, as well as a guide for keeping the train cars and engine straight! 3) The Passengers. Find your new students photos from last year and use a photo printer to enlarge them. Cut them out and fill the train car windows. 4) The Conductor. Enlarge your staff picture from last year and place it in the engine window. 5) The Engine Smoke: With a sponge and shallow dish of white tempera paint, create the illusion of billowing smoke from the engine's smoke stack.

Your students will be excited to walk in their new classroom and find their face already on the wall!

Any suggestions on how to make this welcome bulletin board better? Comments are much appreciated!