So…yeah…it’s been nearly four months since I changed out the bulletin board, but last week I visited the giant color printer at Media Services and you can follow along a video field trip:
You can build the same board in your classroom or hallway with these free printables:
Click here for the Movie vs. Book posters.
Click here for the Epic Opening Lines interactive bulletin board printables.
Finally, as I mentioned in the video, I’m stepping back a bit from video creation. Don’t worry – I’m still blogging and plan on creating the occasional video; I’m just giving myself permission to not post a video every week. Life is crazy and I have family, health, and work needs that are bumping video creation down a few notches on my “gotta do” list. I know you know how it is. Teach on, everyone!
I’m always amazed at how you do all you do. Give yourself a thorough break and have a beautiful holiday season. You are always hard at work in my lessons in spirit. I’ve learned so much as a new teacher from the way your products are designed. Thank you!
Thanks, Beth! We’re ALL working so hard all of the time. I might be biased, but I think English teachers are the hardest working folks on campus. Have a beautiful holiday season, too! 🙂
I’m so sad! I look forward to seeing you every week! You have been inspirational in my journey to learn and grow as a teacher. I often go back and listen to a video more than once. I realize you need some family time and time to just breath but I wanted you to know how much you have changed my teaching over the last year. Thank you for all you do!
Aw, Ellen, what a sweet note. I so appreciate it! Don’t be sad. I’m sure I’ll be back soon enough. I mean, I fall asleep thinking about English teacher stuff and wake up the next morning still thinking about more of the same stuff. I’m sure my hamster wheel brain won’t let me rest for too long. And, hey, we always have the blog. Have a great winter break! 😀
Girl, preventing English teacher burnout means you, too! Take a break. I’m certain more amazing videos–spaced more comfortably for you and your priorities–will be forthcoming. You are amazing and inspiring. Thank you for all you do to provide encouragement. It works!
Amen to that, Lindsay. I am starting to feel a little burnt around the edges or, as my husband says, “The wheels are starting to fall off the cart.” I’m sure I’ll be back up and rollin’ soon. Have a great week! 🙂
Have a happy holidays, Laura!
Likewise, swtspontaneous! 🙂
Whether your words are spoken or simply written, they are a confirmation and affirmation that being an ELA teacher means being fun, creative, analytical, reflective AND above all else, human.
Just keep being you, and you are worth some downtime.
Thanks, Vanessa! xoxo
You need to take care of you first! Making yourself a priority is not a bad thing…..it allows for better energy all the way around later on – for your students, your family and us out in cyberland. Have a wonderful Winter Break!
Thanks, tcook77, for your note of encouragement. It means a lot. Happy holidays! 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful holiday break – you need to take some time for yourself! I greatly appreciate your videos and posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us. I have recovered a great deal of my inspiration from you. Thank you for that! A happy new year to you and your family, and thank you for all that you do!
And thanks to you, Megan, for your note of encouragement. I actually parked on the couch yesterday and watched a Twilight Zone marathon with my kid. Gotta admit, it was great! Here’s hoping we all find a healthy work-life balance in the new year! 🙂
What font did you use to write the book quotes? I have room on my board for more, and was going to add a few more but wanted the fonts to be the same! Thanks!
So glad you like the look, Catey! I actually use a whole font family called Modern Cafe, which I purchased about 15 years ago as part of a design class. I still use the old CD I have from that class whenever I need to upload the font bundle to a new computer, so I’m not sure if it’s available as a digital download. I do know, though, that there are many similar clean-lined fonts that should be a fairly close match. In fact, Helvectica Thin gives a similar effect. Hope this helps! 🙂
@Catey, It looks like the closest lookalike to the Modern Cafe font family is Futura PT (found here: https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/futura-pt). It might even be the exact same font just with an updated name.
Good to know, Holly, especially when these newer laptops won’t work with my old external CD drive. My background tech is rapidly becoming obsolete, the computer folks keep telling me. Ack!
Hi Laura!
You are my professional hero! LOVE this idea!! Do you happen to have a file of the actual Epic Opening Lines that you used? (Trying to work smarter and not harder over here.) THANK YOU for being the breath of fresh air that you are to all of us English teachers!
Never mind! FOUND IT!!
So glad you like the materials, Christina! Alas, the original file was built using Adobe InDesign, a software program most teachers don’t use. Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t have an editable copy available. You should, though, be able to replicate the look using PowerPoint or Google Slides. Happy building!
Great! ❤️