We are well aware that this is not an actual bulletin board, {it's a homemade poster/visual aid made by Mrs. Carroll of The First Grade Parade}, but honestly, it was just too cute for us not to share! And who says it can't be made into a full size bulletin board?! Here's how we would do it...

Water Cycle Bulletin Board

• Background: White bulletin board paper.
• Title: "The Water Cycle" - We would use word processing software to create 'banners' of each word in the title with a fun font and borders.
• Border: Complimentary solid color trimmer or weather themed border.
• Decoration: 1) The Cycle Labels. Just like the board title, we would use word processing software to print label banners using a fun font and cutesy border. 2) The Sun. While Mrs. Carroll used purchased cutouts {which is certainly a viable option if the proper size can be found}, you could also opt for a homemade version. Using yellow and orange liquid watercolor paints, paint a large sheet of watercolor paper, blending the colors till the entire sheet is colored. Set aside to dry. This will create the perfect paper from which to cut your sun. Freehand or find a clip art image online to enlarge and trace onto the paper, first using a pencil, then tracing over the lines with a black permanent marker. Use the marker to add other details if desired. [NOTE: If you have the proper projector system, you might even be able to enlarge and trace the sun image from Mrs. Carroll's original poster.] 3) The Cloud. Like the sun, use shades of blue and purple liquid watercolor paints on a large sheet of watercolor paper to create the perfect 'cloud' paper. Draw or trace the shape of a cloud, outlining the cutout with black permanent marker and adding other details {if desired}. From the scraps, or a newly created piece of paper, cut and outline various sized water/rain drops. 4)The Waves. Create a wave cutout from card stock using it and a blue washable marker to create a wave border along the bottom of the display. Add swirls, curls, and other details to the waves with the marker as well. 5) The Arrows. Cut three large arrows from red construction or background paper. Once arranged on the board, use a permanent marker to draw a dashed border around each.

Supplies for this bulletin board...

• White bulletin board paper
• Liquid watercolor paint
• Watercolor paper
• Black permanent marker
• Red construction paper
• Washable Markers

While simple, the detailing really makes this design pop! We think an enlarged version of this poster would make a fantastic classroom decoration for your weather unit... Have you ever crafted a bulletin board based on an inspiring poster? We'd love to hear about your experience, so be sure to leave a comment below!