Depending on what the first unit will be covering, create the bulletin to reflect the concepts, lessons and images that will be taught and used by students. Using images that are symbolic may also help students remember important information.
Thematic instruction helps students understand the lessons more by seeing the connection to the subject matter and their own lives. Decide what themes will be covered in the first unit, quarter, and/or semester and create a theme board with the themes in words or images such as identity, growth or time.
For day one, the teacher could create a bulletin board with a few images, photographs or words that are representative of her personality, interests and likes. Inviting students to bring in a photograph, image or something to add to the board will help everyone get to know each other.
For any subject, there is a useful process that students will need to memorize and use. For example, a research process bulletin board that outlines the steps needed for researching material will help students in classes that require this skill. Classes that require writing can outline the steps of the writing process.