Magnetic Tape: A Teacher’s Best Friend

Decor Tips and Tricks, Teacher Tips

This image shows an elementary classroom job card labeled "Hello my name is Lunch Helper" and a hand holding a laminated piece of paper with magnetic tape stuck on the back. The picture reads "Magnetic tape: a teacher's best friend".

Magnetic tape. It’s one of the BEST teacher supplies and something I would never go without.

Meet Magnetic Tape

Allow me to introduce you to your new best friend.

This image shows a roll of magnetic tape.

Magnetic tape has been a lifesaver in my classroom and I LOVE telling any teacher I can about it!

Here’s the beauty of it:

🌟 One side is a magnet

🌟 One side is sticky tape

This image shows a whiteboard with an elementary classroom job display. One job card is labeled "Hello my name is Lunch Helper" and a hand holding a laminated piece of paper with magnetic tape stuck on the back is in front of the card. You can also see the name card "Tiffany" underneath another job card that reads "Chair stacker".

The magnet will attach to the whiteboard and hold your item in place!

Here’s a short video showing some of the ways I love using this with my classroom decor!

Whiteboard Borders

I love the look of borders around a whiteboard. They are an easy way to add some decoration to the front of your classroom.

Borders can also be used to turn a giant whiteboard into mini whiteboards!

This image shows a whiteboard that has been cut into three sections using a black with white polka dot border. The section on the far left holds math materials. The middle section holds a large lined pad of paper. The right section holds I Can statements for five different subjects.

This teacher, @misslewislittles, has split her whiteboard into three sections to help keep things organized!

Using magnetic tape on the back of your border makes the setup (and take down) process so easy!

Calendar Displays

Using a whiteboard and magnetic tape is a great way to set up a calendar display.

This image shows a whiteboard displaying a calendar and classroom jobs using magnetic tape. The calendar is held up using a calendar background and stuck to the whiteboard. All of the decor items are in a calm colors color scheme.

This image shows a whiteboard displaying a calendar. The calendar is held up using magnetic tape that sticks to the whiteboard. The decor items are in a calm colors color scheme.

These two examples from @itsworththewade and @craftingintheclassroom show two different ways to do this.

One way is to use a calendar background.

To do this, you will need to add magnetic tape or Velcro dots to each square on the background and to the backs of each individual calendar card.

Then, add some magnetic tape onto the back of your calendar background and place it on your whiteboard!

Another way is to use only the whiteboard itself.

To do this, place magnetic tape on the back of each individual calendar card and place them directly on the whiteboard.

Either method is a quick, easy way to have a beautiful calendar display in your classroom!

Read this post for more ideas on the ins and outs of setting up classroom calendar displays.

Hand Signal or Voice Posters

Posting your hand signal or voice posters towards the front of the classroom makes them easy to see.

This image shows a whiteboard with a voice levels poster display and a hand signal poster display. Both displays use a calm colors color scheme. The voice level posters are descending from 4 to 0. The hand posters show different words like "agree, question, tissue, bathroom, etc."

Your whiteboard is the perfect place to keep these items close by, but out of the way.

Place a couple of pieces of magnetic tape on the backs of these items (after laminating them) and they are ready to hang!

Curious about how to print classroom decor items so they look great but don’t cost your entire paycheck? I talk about some great ideas to help you save money here!