How to Select the Best Whiteboards for Students

Individual student whiteboards are a must-have, especially in an elementary classroom! They have unlimited uses and will be used every single day. Some uses include solving a math problem and holding it up to compare with the class, writing words, writing yes/no to answer a question, etc. However, when selecting whiteboards for your students, all whiteboards are not created equal.

There are several different options to choose from when purchasing whiteboards for your students. Over my years of teaching, I have used several of those options. I have found the whiteboards I select are based on a few different factors, which include durability, cost, and purpose for use. I am now going to share student whiteboard options and the pros and cons of each.

1. Whiteboard with handle from The Dollar Tree

Pros: They are cost effective. You can buy a class set for under $50. The handle makes them easy for students to hold up to share answers. They’re two-sided, so students could write an answer on each side. For instance, the student can write a different letter on each side. You say words that start with one of those letters and the student can hold up the side with the correct answer. Here is an option from Amazon.

Cons: They last a year or less (in cases where you have a more destructive class). I found that some students would bend the handle and it would break off. I did purchase extra to replace damaged ones throughout the year. Then, I let my students take theirs home at the end of the year. Secondly, these whiteboards tend to get stained by the markers over time, especially the red ones. Furthermore, the writing space is small. Students are not able to fit much on these boards. So if your purpose is to sometimes have students write a sentence, I don’t recommend these whiteboards.

2. Wooden Whiteboard with handle from Amazon

Pros: This type of whiteboard will last for multiple years. This is the set I currently use and they are going on year 5, I think. Just like The Dollar Tree boards, the handle makes them easy for students to hold up to share an answer. Unfortunately, mine are not two-sided, but the ones I just found are!

Cons: These wooden whiteboards will cost you a little more on the front end, so you will have to budget accordingly in order to purchase them (or add them to a Donor’s Choose or Amazon Wishlist). They do get scratched. This can make it difficult to write on certain spots of the whiteboard. If you already have one-sided boards, you can make them two-sided. I remedied it by cutting and gluing lined dry erase sentence strips to the back side. This way students had a spot to write words with guidelines for proper letter formation.

3. Rectangle Whiteboards from The Dollar Tree

Pros: Again, whiteboards from The Dollar Tree are great for when you have a tight budget. Usually they will come lined. This is useful when your purpose for use is mainly ELA. These whiteboards for students, also, tend to be two-sided and, sometimes, the other side will be unlined. Unlined is preferable for math. There is a bit more writing space with a rectangular whiteboard.

Cons: These whiteboards are not as durable as wooden or plastic whiteboards. They are made from cardboard, which makes them more likely to get bent, stained with marker, or damaged when wet. The rectangle shape makes them a little less easy to hold up. Students, sometimes, will cover part of the answer with their hands when holding it up.

4. Rectangle Wooden Whiteboards from Amazon

Pros: Wooden whiteboards are more durable, lasting many years when cared for. They have a larger space for writing than the handled whiteboards. There is the option of getting lined or unlined, so you can choose what works best for your class.

Cons: Just like the wooden option above, these whiteboards are more expensive to purchase than the others. They can get scratches as well.

5. Plastic Whiteboards from Amazon

Pros: Plastic is another option for whiteboards. This option can be awesome, if you want a whiteboard that doubles as a magnet board. Be sure to check the description, though, because not all plastic whiteboards are magnetic. These come two-sided, with lines on one side. They have more writing space compared to the handle whiteboards.

Cons: These whiteboards can get ruined if heavy items set on them. They are a little thicker, so they take up a bit more space to store. This is the most costly option, but you get the added benefit of the whiteboards being magnetic.

6. Paper in a Page Protector

Pros: A very budget-friendly option. Typically paper is provided to you at your school and, sometimes, page protectors. You can get creative and use colored paper or cardstock for a more sturdy writing surface.

Cons: Need to be replaced often. The page protectors will get stained, creased, and get difficult to erase after awhile. This option is more time-consuming to put together compared to your ready-made whiteboards. They are, also, more difficult to hold up in the air. They are more floppy. However, using cardstock in place of paper solves that problem.

Conclusion

From the descriptions above, you can clearly see the factors that go into determining the best whiteboards for students. So take the time to answer these questions before making a selection.

1. How long do I plan on using these whiteboards in my class?

2. How much do I have to spend on whiteboards at this time?

3. What will my students mainly be using these whiteboards for?

Once answered, you will be able to make the best choice of whiteboards for your students! One last factor to consider is that if you are a member of Amazon Prime, your items will ship free! And if you choose The Dollar Tree, you can shop in store, ship to the store for free, or have it shipped to your home/school. Let me know in the comments which whiteboard you selected. If you liked this post, check out How to Keep the Fun in Your Classroom in a World of Curriculums.