Let’s be honest—secondary students can sniff out a “fluff” poster from across the room. That’s why meaningful, content-rich decor matters. In an ELA classroom, wall space shouldn’t just be pretty—it should spark thinking, support learning, and build classroom culture. Here are some of my favorite go-to resources for decorating with intention:
Reasons to Read Bulletin Board Kit
If you want to boost your independent reading culture, this is the perfect place to start. This bulletin board helps students reflect on why we read—and go beyond the usual “because we have to.” You can have a discussion with your students at the beginning of the year to help them generate reasons to read, OR use the provided ones. The included discussion prompts are great for small groups or library mini-lessons. Plus, the bold, clean design brings energy to your book corner or classroom library!
ELA Takeaways Bulletin Board Kit
This bulletin board is all about making learning stick. It highlights key ELA concepts—like theme, tone, and figurative language—that students need to revisit all year. Just like the Reasons to Read Bulletin Board Kit, you can turn this decor into valuable classroom discussion! It’s editable, so you can tailor it to your grade level or current unit. Think of it as your always-there anchor chart wall: academic, attractive, and totally useful.
Literary Letters Vocabulary Display
A is for Allusion, B is for Blank Verse… this is a fun riff on the typical elementary school A-Z displays! This resource introduces students to higher-level literary vocabulary in an engaging and accessible way. It’s especially helpful for reinforcing academic language as you spiral through units. Use it as a vocabulary wall, hallway display, or even as discussion starters during warm-ups.
Common Core Writing Types Posters
If you are in a common core state standards state, you NEED this resource! Whether you’re teaching narrative, argumentative, or explanatory writing, these posters keep expectations clear. They break down each writing type with definitions, signal words, and structure tips—perfect for reference during writing workshops. Bonus: they’re editable, so you can adapt the language to match your students’ needs.
This is also part of a larger resource called Identifying Writing Types Resources. These activities can help your students build a solid foundation for their writing journey, whether you’re diving into the world of writing types for the first time or just need a quick refresher.
And Don’t Forget: Showcase Student Work!
While curated decor sets the tone, the most powerful thing you can hang on your walls is student thinking. Whether it’s sticky notes from a class brainstorm, a favorite student quote, or a polished final draft, displaying student work reminds learners that their voices matter. It creates buy-in, builds confidence, and reinforces that this is their space too. Here’s an example of student work up on my walls, displaying some of their book project posters! (and if you’re curious about these book projects – check out this blog post for more!)
Happy decorating,
Stacey
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