How do you make anchor charts that look like they belong on Pinterest?

“Hey, Ms. T… can you go ask Miss. Davis to help you with your handwriting? I can’t read your posters.”  

*Gasp*

I have to be honest, I was genuinely shocked when a student said this to me my first year teaching. Then I looked at the poster he was referencing and… he wasn’t wrong. 

As it turns out, all of the times my mom told me I needed to slow down and focus on my handwriting… she was actually onto something.

And to this student’s credit, Miss. Davis’ classroom WAS beautiful with calligraphy-level posters and all.  

So, that afternoon I grudgingly walked down to her classroom and said, “OK, teach me your ways…

How do you make anchor charts that look like they belong on Pinterest?” 

(Her) Answer: “They are the posters from Pinterest.” 

I’m sorry… what??

She told me she just searches for the chart she wants, pulls the image up on her projector, turns off touch recognition, tapes up her anchor chart paper, and then JUST TRACES IT. 

When I tell you this was a game changer… this was a GAME CHANGER.

Before that, I would try to create the entire chart while teaching (you know, while also trying to keep Joe and Jimmy from hitting each other and Suzy and Sally from playing hair salon). The charts would end up a jumbled, error filled mess.

I had never even considered that I could TRACE the pretty parts of the chart ahead of time!

Takeaway:

How do you make anchor charts that look like they belong on Pinterest? Copy the posters from Pinterest. Or Google. Or Instagram. I promise you are not the first or last third grade teacher to teach fractions so, like most things in teaching, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. (unless you like building wheels… er… designing your own anchor charts.)  

Pick what you love and make your room have the look and feel you want (including being legible).  

And who knows, maybe next year YOU will be the teacher a student talks about with the pretty handwriting.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a Pinterest board where I’ve added a few drool-worthy examples if you need a little inspiration!

Bonus recommendation: Great anchor charts also utilize great supplies. My favorite anchor chart markers of all time: Mr. Sketch Markers (chisel edge for life).

(Copyright note: If you are just using the chart in your classroom, there is no copyright infringement. You are using it as a teaching tool just like read-alouds or anything else. However, if you decide to post a picture of it, you will want to credit the source.) 

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Looking for more Anchor Charts tips? Check out these posts!