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You know the the feeling you get when you walk into a classroom in which there is a true love and appreciation for books? It's palpable. I like to call it bookish culture, which I define as a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that relates to positive experiences with books, reading, and literacy.

From book clubs to book fit, there are a million and one ways teachers can create a bookish culture in their classroom. One of my favorites is by surrounding students with visual reminders. Classroom decorations have the power to convey unstated messages about what is important.

In this post, you'll find some of my favorite reading bulletin boards that combine both books and pop culture. I created these so that each of the boards relates to a particular subject area. However, you can make them more versatile.

IDEAS FOR READING BULLETIN BOARDS

Bookflix Bulletin Board

Want to appeal to students who would prefer to watch a movie over reading a book? Try a bookflix board, which is a play off of Netflix. Involve students in the process of selecting books and creating categories. You can also use it as a unique way to create reading lists. Find the kit and student activity here.
Tip: Add some fake popcorn for a little flair.
Bookstagram Bulletin Board

Cater to the kids who love selfies and all things social media with this bookstagram board. Choose a name that pertains to your school's mascot or class pet to personalize it, and incorporate fun hashtags. List your students' favorite authors under "Followed by..." Ask students to think about appropriate highlight button images, or use the ones in this free kit.
Tip: If you have more than nine students who want to participate, display students' pictures on the wall around the board.
iPad Bulletin Board

Screens surround us. What teenager doesn't appreciate an iPad or phone? Use the relevance of technology to pique students' interest about new or popular reads. Want to add another layer of tech-savviness? Add QR codes to each book cover to take students straight to a Goodreads page or book trailer video.
Tip: In order to size the apps, insert a rounded square shape on top each the book cover in your creation tool of choice. Then, cut off the excess after printing.
Spotify Bulletin Board

Spotify is currently one of the most popular music apps around. This board is a great way to incorporate categories of books. Create playlists for genres, subject-related content, or favorites lists. This board highlights texts that relate to enrichment courses.

Find an engaging student reading activity that plays off of the Spotify title here.
Tip: For each playlist, you'll need to identify who created it. Use authors, students, or teachers as creators to make it more relevant. If you aren't familiar with Spotify, study the original layout before designing your board. The one pictured below is modified to make better use of space.
Calculator Bulletin Board

I've heard so many students declare themselves in the "math camp." I like math, so I don't like ELA. This reasoning doesn't make sense to me! Students can enjoy both math and reading. Enjoying one doesn't necessitate a dislike of the other. After all, there are plenty of books that incorporate math and logic-related topics. Make use of the numbers on the calculator by creating reasons why reading matters.

CREATION TIPS

#1 - I used butcher paper for all of these boards, simply because it was the most cost-effective for me. If you'd like your bulletin boards to last longer, consider using fabric and laminating as many pieces as possible.

#2 - If you are satisfied with your penmanship, you can do a lot of the writing on these boards freehand with metallic Sharpie markers and chalk markers.

#3 - To attach the book covers and other printouts, I used Scotch mounting squares and double-sided adhesive tape rollers. If you'd like to be able to switch out your books, you might consider using velcro dots with sticky backs.

#4 - Involve students as much as possible! If your bulletin boards will feature their faces, make sure to ask first. Or, ask students to help you create the list of books to include. If you're brave, have them help you create the board. It's okay if your board is a work in progress that is completed throughout the year. When students finish reading books or after you complete a read aloud, ask them if they think the book is worth adding to the reading bulletin boards.

#5 - If you are short on bulletin boards, it's okay. You can also create these displays on doors or open wall space. Consider putting them in the library or the hallway!

If you decide to create one of these reading bulletin boards (or a different kind!), tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. I'd love to see how you are using decor to create a bookish culture in your classroom.

READ NEXT:

RELATED RESOURCE:

Find four different bulletin board kits with corresponding student reading activities to start setting up or adding to your classroom's bookish culture.

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Reading Bulletin Boards: Bookish Culture Ideas for Middle and High School - Reading and Writing Haven

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You know the the feeling you get when you walk into a classroom in which there is a true love and appreciation for books? It's palpable. I like to call it bookish culture, which I define as a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that relates to positive experiences with books, reading, and literacy.

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I recently discovered that our principal reads! I don't think anybody else at school knows that. I'd like to promote it, but he's reading the Game of Thrones books... some heckin' themes in there, and the books are absolutely enormous. (I love reading these, too, but trying to imagine recommending them to a 12 year old...?)
Lorraine

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Created a bookmark with 20 reading categories & created 20 corresponding badges for the students to collect digitally, as well as in sticker form. Students filled out a Google form to collect the digital badge. My goal was simply to motivate students to read. No flashy rewards, no competitions - simply a challenge with a sprinkle of gamification for fun.

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https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Home/Display/?learningModuleId=2182171&topicCenterId=1955261&tab=1

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Handout from my Webinar on School Library Connection

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Handout from my Webinar on School Library Connection

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Webinar Handout for Developing and Nurturing a School-Wide Culture of Reading(2)

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Edweb Webinar hosted by Michelle Luhtala and Melissa Thom

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Edweb Webinar hosted by Michelle Luhtala and Melissa Thom

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Presented by Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair, New Canaan High School, CT; and Melissa Thom, M.A., Teacher Librarian, Bristow Middle School, CT

Sponsored by Mackin Educational Resources
WATCH THE EDWEBINAR RECORDING Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more
Reading may seem like an independent activity but for children who are developmentally wired to seek and feed on peer connections, social reading transforms what some kids think of as a chore into a something they enjoy. Connecting learners with books is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
About the Presenters
Watch Michelle Luhtala and Melissa Thom in this edWebinar as they share innovative ideas that will get learners of all ages engaged in reading! This recorded presentation will be of interest to K-12 librarians, teachers, and administrators.

Michelle Luhtala is the Library Department Chair at New Canaan High School in Connecticut and was one of five school librarians named as a "Mover and Shaker" by Library Journal in 2015. She is the winner of the 2011 "I Love My Librarian" Award and the Library Association's 2010 Outstanding Librarian Award. The New Canaan High School Library won AASL's National School Library Program of the year in 2010. Follow her on Twitter @mluhtala.

Melissa Thom, M.A. is a teacher librarian at Bristow Middle School in West Hartford, CT. She earned her bachelor's in elementary education from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, a master's in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and a master's in educational psychology/gifted and talented from the University of Connecticut. She spent 12 years teaching grades four to six as a classroom teacher, and four years ago she earned her library media specialist certification from the ARCLMS program. She is the vice president of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians, a member of the Customer Advisory Board for Scholastic Book Fairs, a 2019 AASL Social Media Superstar Reader Leader finalist, and her most recent publication was an article in the June issue of School Library Journal entitled, NGSS Maker Challenges.

Join the Emerging Tech for Schools and Libraries community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Mackin is one of the top providers of library and classroom materials for grades PK-12. Working with over 18,000 publishers and a database of nearly 3 million printed titles, and more than 1.9 million digital titles, Mackin supplies print books, eBooks, online educational databases, audiobooks and video resources to schools around the globe.

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Building a Schoolwide Culture of Reading - edWeb edWebinar

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Presented by Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair, New Canaan High School, CT; and Melissa Thom, M.A., Teacher Librarian, Bristow Middle School, CT Sponsored by Mackin Educational Resources WATCH THE EDWEBINAR RECORDING Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more Reading may seem like an independent activity but for children who are developmentally wired to seek and feed on peer connections, social reading transforms what some kids think of as a chore into a something they enjoy.

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Toilet Papers-pdfs of book talks on popular books to hang up in bathroom stalls

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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Watch the on demand archive presentation and download handouts by clicking the link below and entering the requested registration information. If you had previously registered for the webinar, select "Already Registered?" and enter your e-mail address.

Summary

Educators can develop a culture of literacy in schools and classrooms that engage students in authentic learning that will make them better readers, writers, thinkers, and problem solvers. When students are engaged in authentic learning activities, explicitly taught and modeled by the teacher, they are carefully reading and rereading with clear purposes, thinking analytically, and evaluating their understanding of texts and ideas orally or in writing.

Teachers leading authentic learning opportunities in the classroom shift student engagement from passive compliance to deep engagement, where students take full ownership of their learning and display high levels of interest and willingness to pursue answers taking risks in their learning.

Join Bonnie Houck and Sandi Novak, authors of the ASCD book Literacy Unleashed: Fostering Excellent Reading Instruction Through Classroom Visits, in an engaging webinar where they will introduce the Literacy Classroom Visit instrument and unpack important "look for" elements that teachers need to establish in their classroom to cultivate student independence. Together you will explore the importance of creating an engaging learning environment, how to organize classroom libraries to motivate readers, and why "walls that teach" can support a rich culture of literacy.
Recorded September 27, 2016
About the Presenters

Bonnie Houck is a consultant, coach, speaker, and trainer who specializes in literacy leadership development and positive school change.

Sandi Novak is an education consultant with more than 30 years of experience as an assistant superintendent, principal, curriculum and professional learning director, and teacher. Novak's current work in consulting is focused on leadership and improving students' reading.

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Watch the on demand archive presentation and download handouts by clicking the link below and entering the requested registration information. If you had previously registered for the webinar, select "Already Registered?" and enter your e-mail address. Educators can develop a culture of literacy in schools and classrooms that engage students in authentic learning that will make them better readers, writers, thinkers, and problem solvers.

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Character Con (like ComiCon, but different)
Reid's Reads (Principal's stash of books)
Lunch Bunch Book Club (Read quality, talk quality)
State Awards (Read & vote)

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Staff read, vet and create questions (& promote with fun video). Student groups choose title and teams to compete in reading playoff (from teacher developed questions).

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Bookship is a social reading app, basically a virtual book club where students and educators can chat about the book they are reading. Also includes tons of classics that can be read for free inside the app with social commenting. It's free.

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Bookship is a social reading app that lets people share their reading experiences. Whether it's reading a great novel with your best friend across the country, a business book with your co-workers, or participating in a neighborhood book club, Bookship enriches your reading experience and your relationships.

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Making reading lives of students AND adults visible 

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Making reading lives of students AND adults visible 

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Share what you are reading with your class

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Book Tasting Resources Mentioned in Webinar

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Book Tasting Resources Mentioned in Webinar

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Here is the page where you can access the book lists for each tasting and the Guest Check to record books that interest them.

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Has anyone successfully held an overnight party for student book buddies? Would you be willing to share the logistics? Drop off, pick up and by the correct students. TIA!

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They smile at all I do. They just don't seem to want anything to do with it - like the library is a separate galaxy.

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Star Wars Reads Month
Hogwarts Month
March Madness
Great Book Detectives
Reading Buddies
Student written shelf talkers
Very simple book tastings

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Post inside stalls? Keep inside plastic sleeve?

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Parents and students come in and read together and enjoy different activities.

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I don't often get class visits for booktalks in our K-12 school, but we DO have a TV monitor in our teaching space: I make slides (Keynote) featuring various titles with brief synopses, and play the slideshow in the mornings and afternoons while kids cruise in our space.

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My principal has told me that my enthusiasm for books and reading has him reading more than he had in a long time. He will often come to me for book recommendations for both himself and his son. As a result, I have the full support of the admin in all my endeavors to continue to grow and nurture reading culture.

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Go into the cafeteria once a week with a cart full of books and check out books to kids who may not get any other chance to visit the library.

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Help students set reading goals such as # of books to read or expanding the types of books they read. Learn about different titles in library through book tasting, book speed-dating, read around the world.

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Tape some book recommendations or blurbs on the backs of the bathroom stalls. Change them out regularly!!

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Work in small groups and copy a poem. Use a meter stick to make a sign "poetry break." Librarian can visit classrooms for students to share their poems.

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Explore the 800s section. Everyone in the school either memorize a poem or write down a favorite poem and take one week and celebrate "A Poem in Your Pocket."

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Great way to showcase new books before they go on the shelf

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Solicit adult book titles from staff to develop a summer reading list. Include book covers and links to book descriptions.  Share final list with all staff.

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Encourage every school employee to read a book that connects them to the students. For example the school nurse read ASick Day for Amos McGee. Everyone got a book stand and a bookmark printed with Name is Reading to display on their desk. The librarian can suggest books for people too.

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Each room has a sign with the staff member's name along with the picture of a children's book that the staff member loves or thinks represents them.

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Offering incentives to read may work in the short term, but is counter productive in creating a culture of reading.