Easy Art Project for Year Long Bulletin Boards - Bubble Letter Name Art + Freebie

Here's an idea for a simple art activity you can use when you need at least 15-20 minutes of students working/you can rest your voice time.  This project in one for the Back to School Art, Year Long Bulletin Boards, or Staying Sane file.

Not only does this art project give you a little time to catch your breath (and maybe, just maybe, run to the bathroom), the name tags the kids make during this activity can be used to create a variety of year long bulletin boards that you don't have to take down until May (or June if you're a late starting Michigander like myself).

Bubble Letter Name Art Instructions

>> Introduce with a book - The Name Jar is a great one to talk about the meaning & importance of names and The Big Orange Splot is my personal fave to talk about individuality/favorites/hopes and dreams (affiliate links).  If you don't have time for a mentor text, just tell students you want to get to know them better, not only as learners, but as people too + you'd like something special for every student to show off on your walls and/or bulletin boards.
>> Brainstorm lists of possible favorites and/or things that make students unique: favorite colors, foods, subjects, numbers, sports, places, activities, secret talents, family, and fun facts are all possible ideas for decorating name art letters! {With lists of ideas on the board no one is stuck with nothing to draw and you might just get that breather you'd been hoping for}


>> Show students an example - My first draft (before color) includes fall and spring themes in the K, art items in the A, technology tools in the T, Halloween characters in the I, and a travel theme in & around the E.  You'll also find books, palm trees, my minpin Lily, pottery, music, running, and teacher themed drawings in the background.  Just because you have a short name doesn't mean you need to leave out details in your drawings! {We're talking to you CJ and JD and Ann!} 

>> Give each student their bubble letter name {printed on cardstock if you're planning to laminate and use all year}.  Their job is to decorate each letter with a different design/color/illustration that tells the class something about them.

 

That's it!

 

What can you do with these?  Here's 3 ideas:

#1: Put the names up on a bulletin board with the words "Our Class" in the middle.  Then add photographs of your time together throughout the year.  Once you start adding photographs to this board it's seriously DARLING!  Here's what mine looked like before adding photos. 
#2: Put the names on an"Amazing Work" bulletin board.  The names (and clothespins or however else you want to attach student work to the wall) will stay there all year, while the work each student puts by his/her name can change throughout the year.

#3: Laminate and keep the nametags somewhere safe.  Whenever you display work in the hallways or on a bulletin board where labeling with student names is appropriate, use these to label each child's work.  Here's an example of our Back to School Big Orange Splot dream house board. 

Thinking bubble letter name art might just be the thing you need to keep sane this week?  Just click below to have the EDITABLE PowerPoint documentsent to your email so you can get bubble name decorating, and bulletin board making, in no time at all.





*Already an email subscriber?  Check your email Super Teacher!  This freebie will be waiting for you on September 1st.  Hooray!*

Have a fab day Super Teacher,
Katie