In This Class, You’re A Special Piece of the Puzzle!

Welcome Back to School Puzzle Bulletin Board Idea

Photo Source: griffiesgrowth.blogspot.com

Every teacher wants to make their new students feel like a special part of the class! Susan Griffies, a third grade teacher in Central Florida and creator of the blog Griffies Growth, does just that with her back-to-school puzzle bulletin board! As each student becomes a piece of the colorful puzzle, Ms. Griffies assures her students that they “fit right in”!

Back-to-School Puzzle Board

  • Background: Black Art Kraft Paper Roll.
  • Title: “Welcome to ____________! (e.g. Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, etc.) You Fit Right In!” or “In This Class, You’re A Special Piece of the Puzzle!” – Susan adds extra “pizazz” to her title by using letters with fun, poppin’ patterns!
  • Border: Puzzle piece bulletin board border or a bright, coordinating solid color bulletin board border.
  • Decoration: Purchase prefabricated puzzle pieces or create your own from vibrant colored card stock. Write the names of your students on the pieces then fit them together in a visually stimulating pattern.

This back-to-school bulletin board may be simple, but it’s quite effective! It’ll add a great contrast of dark and vibrant color to your classroom wall, assure your new students that they have a special place in your classroom, and provide a fun theme for back-to-school decorations and activities!

We’d love to know how you welcome your students back to school! Leave us a comment about your welcome board designs, overall themes, etc!

Need some preschool supplies, classroom furniture, or to replenish your school art supply cabinet? Check out our online school supply store, mpmSchoolSupplies.com!
  • Mrs. Z

    I love this! Do you know where she got the puzzle pieces?

    • Lscenjoy

      The Dollar tree in our area has the puzzel pieces and also a craft store would have them in the kids things or the invitation section.

  • TB

    Where did you find a puzzle piece template that fit no matter which direction it was turned?

  • http://bulletinboardideas.org/ Kayla Johnson

    Hi Ladies! Thanks so much for visiting. So glad you liked the board and I hope to be able to answer your questions soon. My original plan was to contact Susan, the bulletin board designer, to see if she might remember where she acquired her fantastic puzzle pieces.

    My heart is heavy, having just found out that, very soon after our feature, Susan passed away {http://allamericanjess.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-angel-in-heaven.html}. I didn’t know her personally, but her colorful and inviting blog showed her dedication to both family and classroom, and showed what a beautiful spirit she had. My heart goes out to her husband and young family.

    I will keep digging to see if I might find something comparable and will be sure to let you know if I stumble across anything that might be helpful. Thanks again, ladies, and if you would, keep Susan’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

    ~ Kayla

  • http://bulletinboardideas.org/ Kayla Johnson

    Thanks for the tip! I also found these puzzle accents at MPM School Supplies – http://www.mpmschoolsupplies.com/p-12770-puzzle-pieces-variety-pack-classic-accents-variety-packs.aspx – which look to be the same thing!

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  • Lynne

    I was amazed to accidentally stumble onto this tonight!  Susan was married to my son, Tony.  

    • http://bulletinboardideas.org/ Kayla Johnson

      WOW Lynne ~ I didn’t know Susan, but I was truly inspired by the kind words written about her by Jess, her fellow teacher and friend. Her joy, compassion, and beautiful spirit seem to come to life in the words and pictures that were shared. I know she must have touched many people and I feel privileged to have known about her. My heart goes out to your family – to Tony and the children. Thank you for taking the time to comment ~ we were thrilled to stumble across Susan’s blog/classroom, she had such a talent for creating an inviting learning space, and I know many of our readers have been inspired by this very post!

      Blessings,
      Kayla

  • Katsmith516

    Love this! I’ve done this for the past several years, but I cut the puzzle pieces out of contruction paper and cut a circle in the middle of each one. When the upcoming students come to meet me at the end of the year, I take a picture of each child while they decorate both sides of their puzzle piece (one vertical, one horizontal). Over the summer, I tape the students’ pictures to their puzzle piece, and the completed puzzle is posted in August when they come back for the first day. I love how bright your letters and puzzle pieces are, I need to buy some bright cardstock for the puzzle next year!

    • http://bulletinboardideas.org/ Kayla Johnson

      I must say that I’m a fan of the puzzle theme ~ I just love what it represents! :)

      Great idea to add the kiddos photos! What a fun way to personalize it. And it’s so neat that your students actually make their pieces {and get their pictures taken} several months before. I bet it’s fun to see if they’ve changed over the summer!

      Not sure if your school year is over yet, but I hope you have a great summer!

      Kayla

  • Emily Park

    Did you buy your pieces or make them, Kayla?

  • Jill

    I’ve done something similar to this. I cut out puzzle pieces out of poster board and on the first day the kids decorated them with things that represented them. During our first morning meeting, they presented their pieces to the class and it helped them talk about themselves. After I hung them up (interlocking) on the bulletin board. It came out really cute!

    • http://bulletinboardideas.org/ Kayla Johnson

      Fantastic idea, Jill! Love it :)

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