We found this fabulous back to school bulletin board at Child Centered Teaching, a blog designed by educator, Regina Castillo. We were super impressed with the amount of detail put into the design and just had to share! This board is a definite must if you're contemplating an ocean/sea theme this year!

Sailing Back to School Bulletin Board

• Background: Cover the top two-thirds of the bulletin board with sky blue background paper; the rest with navy bulletin board paper. Hide the "seam" with a 2-inch strip of white bulletin board paper, edging one side to look like waves.
• Title: "__________ [Third Grade, Mrs. Nelson's Class, Room 203, etc] Is Sailing Back To School!" or "Sailing Into __________ [Third Grade, Mrs. Nelson's Class, Room 203, etc] For An Awesome School Year!"
• Border: Blue solid color trimmer.
• Decoration: 1) The Boats. We're not sure exactly how Regina created hers, but here's a look at what we would do to recreate them...
  • Fold a sheet of construction paper in half length-wise {i.e. hot dog style} and, starting from the bottom, draw & cut out an isosceles triangle. This will be the "jib".

  

  • From a second sheet of construction paper, cut a right triangle from one of the corners. This will be the "mainsail".

  

  • Using the scraps from the first {isosceles} triangle for the appropriate angle, create the "hull" of the boat.

  

  • Cut a 1-inch strip, length-wise, from a piece of construction paper and fold the strip in half. This will act as the "mast". Paste the "jib" to the strip of paper; left of the fold.

  

  

  • Attach the mast {along with the jib} to the mainsail. Simply fold the strip of paper in half once again and line the crease up with the center of the mainsail. When assembled, this is what will create the 3D effect {shown above}.

  

  • Trim any excess construction paper from the mast, glue the hull of the boat to the mast, and add detailing as desired!
  Label the sails with various subjects/topics to be covered throughout the year as an introduction of sorts. 2) The Island. Using a scrap of brown bulletin board paper, create an "island" {cut a quarter-circle} in the bottom right corner. Add detailing as desired - a palm tree, a beach hut, an umbrella/sunbather, etc. 3) The Details. Create clouds from white construction paper to arrange in the "sky" as well as a sun {optional} to complete the scene.

Supplies for this bulletin board...

• Sky blue, navy, white, and brown bulletin board paper
• Bulletin board letters
• Blue solid color wavy trimmer
• Construction paper in assorted colors