All those who have been waiting, it is finally here-that time of the year!
Time to bust out the pumpkin spice, binge Halloween movies, and-of course-updated those whiteboards in the classroom with fresh, spooky ideas, and with what’s fall-tastic.
Whether you are a teacher looking for ideas to get your students excited or just someone who likes to keep things festive, October is the perfect month to transform that board into a creative masterpiece.
October Whiteboard Ideas for 2024
Now, where to start? Relax! I’ll sort your back with these killer October whiteboard ideas that will keep your students up, laughing, and maybe even learning a little thing or two. So grab your markers, and let’s get started!
1. Spooky Eyes: “We’ve Got Our Eyes On…”
One of the simplest and most visually appealing (pun intended!) whiteboard ideas for October is to go all out with frightening eyeballs. Imagine enormous, yellow, scary eyes gazing down from the top of your whiteboard—now that’s a discussion starter!
This is where the magic happens: behind those eyes, you can write, “We’ve Got Our Eyes On…” Fill in the slot with anything from “Great Books” to “Star Students” to “Mathematical Wizards.” The options are limitless.
This not only creates a joyful and festive atmosphere, but it also gently promotes positive behavior and involvement. Plus, it’s quite simple! All you need is yellow paper or chalk for the eyes and a bit of imagination.
Ask students to help you fill in the blank with things they’re working on or proud of!
2. Monster Door: “What Makes Us Cranky?”
Who doesn’t enjoy a good monster theme for Halloween? Inspired by the book Crankenstein, why not use your whiteboard to draw a gigantic, green, grouchy monster face? Next to it, ask your students: “What makes you cranky?”
This is not only a funny approach to get to know your kids better, but it can also be used as a fun writing prompt. Have your kids write a few phrases about what makes them irritable and how they deal with it. You might be amazed at the intelligent (and amusing) responses you receive! And remember, a little empathy goes a long way in the classroom.
Did you know that scientists say we’re more prone to being cranky on overcast days? Blame it on the lack of sunlight!
3. Witchy Wisdom: “Which Witch is Wich?”
This is a super idea! For some classroom magic, draw a witch’s hat on your whiteboard, along with the phrase “Which Witch is Wich?” You can really make this a language game by using homophones, synonyms, or even reviewing vocabulary.
For example, you might create “which/witch” End Challenge children to create correct sentences with each word. Alternatively, create a Halloween word scramble featuring spooky vocabulary, in which they have to “unscramble the spells” (a.k.a. words).
Okay, arachnophobes, you may want to skip this one—but for the rest of us, a spider-themed whiteboard may be both entertaining and educational. You can draw a gigantic spider in one corner of the board and fill the remainder with spider information, pictures, or even a small science lesson about spider anatomy.
Why stop there? Label various regions of the spider’s body and allow your students to pin their own research results. You may even incorporate this into a lecture about ecosystems, food chains, or how spiders help to regulate pest populations. This is an excellent way to incorporate some learning while keeping with the spooky October theme.
Fun fact: Spiders have blue blood. Spiders, unlike humans, transport oxygen using hemocyanin, a copper-containing protein. This gives their blood a blue color!
5. Happy Fall, Y’all: A Seasonal Favorite
Not all schools allow Halloween decorations, but that doesn’t mean your whiteboard can’t commemorate the occasion! A “Happy Fall, Y’all” motif with vibrant leaves Cozy sweaters can still offer a nice fall mood without becoming too frightening.
Draw a big tree with multicolored tissue paper leaves, or simply sketch a pumpkin patch with markers.
To connect everything together, including a humorous quote such as “Pumpkin spice and everything nice!” or “Falling for learning this October!”
You might also use this as an occasion to discuss the changing seasons, harvest celebrations, and autumn traditions from throughout the world.
“What’s your favorite fall activity?” ask your kids. alternatively… “What’s your go-to fall snack: candy corn, caramel apples, or pumpkin pie?”
6. Corn on The Cob: A Kernel of Fun
Who says that whiteboards have to be eerie? Consider creating a corn-on-the-cob-themed whiteboard. Each “kernel” can feature something a kid accomplished that week, such as a math problem they solved or a book they completed.
This is not only a positive reinforcement tool, but it is also an excellent approach to recognize each student’s accomplishments. Bonus points if you let them to assist customize their “kernel” with drawings or stickers. This board can be up for a month, and you can keep adding to it!
Did you know that the US produces more than 30% of the world’s corn? Talk about some serious farm-to-table action!
7. Skeletons: No Bones About It!
Nothing says October like skeletons, right? For this idea, draw skeletons on your whiteboard and use Q-tips to depict their bones. The coolest part? Add students’ faces on the tops of the skeletons for a fun and unique touch.
You can also use this as a small scientific lesson by naming the major bones of the human body. Add a fun fact or two, such as your femur being the longest bone in your body or the number of bones we have at birth versus age.
8. Pumpkin Writing Treats
For an October writing center, transform your whiteboard into a massive trick-or-treat bag! You can “hide” writing prompts on the board in small pockets (or envelopes), and students can “trick or treat” by drawing one out and writing about it.
This may vary from “What would you do if you turned into A pumpkin for A day?” into “Write about A time you were scared but overcame your fear.” The combination of inventiveness and enjoyment will make it difficult for them to refuse! It also enables the students to express their perceptions in a nice, jolly fashion.
Conclusion
While the October whiteboard ideas are frightening, humorous, or seasonal, all of them revolve around fun and enjoyment of the creativity and magic of the season. So grab your markers and let the creative juices flow. And don’t forget, the best part of October decorations is the chance to get a glimpse of connection with your students, some fun, and maybe learning a thing or two in the process.