Tag:

back to school

Summer Blog Recap

by Macee Hall July 29, 2024

written by Macee Hall

Back-to-school season is just around the corner and whether you’ve spent your summer studying or catching up on the latest binge-worthy seasons of your favorite shows, we hope you were able to take a moment to rest and recuperate from another busy year. But now that educators everywhere are gearing up for another school year, we figured it was a great time to round up some of our top blogs from this summer (and new school years past) to help you get ready for the semester ahead. Once you’ve skimmed through all the handy dandy resources provided, let us know what part of this summer blog recap was the most helpful in the comments below!

Summer Blog Recap: Blogs You May Have Missed

The Learns Cycle: Putting AI in Instruction, Part I

This blog explores the ways in which educators can directly utilize AI when implementing the Learns Cycle into their classroom planning and management.

Customizable Drag-and-Drop Google Slides Templates

Interactive Google Slides activities are a great way to keep your students engaged. Find a list of fully-customizable, drag-and-drop templates in this helpful blog post.

The NEW K-8 Tech App TEKS and Free, Editable Spreadsheets

For Texas educators, specifically, it’s time to implement the news TEKS requirements in your classroom. Check out these editable spreadsheets for grades K-8 and learn how to incorporate the new Tech App TEKS into your lesson plans.

Seven Ready-to-Use Story Bin STEM Activities

STEM story bins provide a background story and present a challenge where students must use their reasoning, logic, and teamwork skills to build something to help the story’s main character. Explore seven ready-made story bin activities here!

Leveraging Next-Gen Tools for Education 4.0

“Education 4.0 marks a significant milestone, blending traditional pedagogies with the latest in AI and digital tool integration,” Learn how to utilize the latest tools and resources in this in-depth blog post.

Back to School Blogs From Years Past

Eight Back to School Icebreakers for Team Building and Bonding

Getting students to open up in the early days of a new school year can be tough, but it can also be beneficial in building long-term trust and partnership within your classroom! Try out some of these fun and interactive ice breakers (guaranteed not to earn a groan of disapproval)!

Back to School: Primary Sources, Interactive Resources, and Maps for Teaching History

One major benefit of technology is the extensive collection of primary, interactive resources students can access from anywhere in the world. Explore a vast list of these resources in this blog post.

Transitioning Back to School After a Holiday Break

Beating the Summer Slump is no easy task. Check out these tips for transitioning back to school after a major holiday vacation to kick your school year into high gear from day one!

Additional Blogs to Help You Prep for 2024-2025

Shake Up Your Lesson Plan with Microlearning in the Classroom

In today’s age of overstimulation from every angle, one of the best ways to combat learning burnout and encourage retention is to implement microlearning in your classroom. Learn how!

Engaging Students with Current Events

It’s no secret that there’s a lot going on in the world today, and teachers know better than most that students are more observant than we give them credit for. Discover helpful tips for incorporating current events into your lessons with this blog.

Some Advice for Veteran Educators

After a few (or more!) years of teaching, it can be easy to fall into the same old patterns and find yourself in a rut. Combat this slump by following our helpful tips for making the most of your new school year!

But wait, there’s more!

Looking for more back to school tips than our summer blog recap can provide? You’re in luck! Every week in August, we’re posting a special blog that’ll walk you through various school year preparations, from self-care to ice breakers and beyond. Make sure to keep up-to-date with our daily TechNotes blog posts so you don’t miss out!

July 29, 2024 0 comments

Back to School Good Teaching

Tips for Creating a Welcoming Classroom

by Diana Benner August 17, 2023

written by Diana Benner

Entering a new classroom can be an overwhelming experience for many students. As a place for learning, classrooms should give off a feeling of warmth, safety, and acceptance. Luckily, teachers have the power to create such an environment. By taking simple steps, teachers can ensure that every student feels valued, understood, and respected. Let’s look at some tips for how to create a welcoming classroom.

Create a Safe Space

Ensure that the physical classroom is a safe, organized, and welcoming space. Celebrate and display student work. This will show that you appreciate their efforts. Assign students classroom jobs, like ‘technology helper’ or ‘door holder’. This will give students a sense of responsibility and belonging. Furthermore, create a small area in your classroom where students can relax when feeling overwhelmed, like a calming corner.

Build Positive Teacher-Student Relationships

Developing strong teacher-student relationships is essential for creating a welcoming classroom. Greet students at the door. A personal acknowledgment can set a positive tone for the day. Also, take the time to get to know your students on a personal level, showing genuine interest in their lives, thoughts, and feelings. Open lines of communication, listen actively, and provide constructive feedback. Furthermore, celebrate achievements and address challenges with empathy and understanding.

Establish Clear Expectations

Clearly communicate behavioral expectations, academic standards, and classroom rules from the beginning. Encourage student participation by involving them in the creation of these guidelines. This collaborative approach helps students feel a sense of ownership and responsibility, fostering a positive classroom culture. In addition, be a role model for the behavior you expect. Demonstrating patience and respect encourages students to do the same.

Foster Collaboration and Cooperation

Promote a collaborative learning environment by encouraging teamwork and group discussions. Create opportunities for students to work together. This will foster a supportive network where they can learn from and with each other. In addition, implement activities that celebrate shared accomplishments. This will create a sense of belonging.

Incorporate Student Voice and Choice

Provide students with opportunities to express their opinions, ideas, and preferences within the classroom. Encourage students to voice their concerns and share their feelings. In fact, this can be done through regular check-ins, suggestion boxes, or classroom meetings.

Allow them to have a say in their learning process by incorporating activities that allow for individualization and personalization. For example, utilize technology and activities, such as choice boards to enhance student engagement. Valuing student voice and choice cultivates a sense of empowerment and ownership over their learning.

Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

A truly welcoming classroom embraces diversity in all its forms. Encourage students to appreciate and respect one another’s differences. This will create an environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves. For example, integrate multicultural perspectives in lessons and provide resources that reflect diversity within the classroom and the community.

Creating a welcoming classroom environment requires intentionality, empathy, and dedication. When teachers prioritize a warm and inclusive atmosphere, students thrive academically and emotionally. With this in mind, embrace the power that a welcoming classroom can have.

August 17, 2023 0 comments

Back to School Leadership

Eight Back to School Icebreakers for Team Building and Bonding

by Peggy Reimers August 9, 2023

written by Peggy Reimers

Are you ready to tackle the hot-button issue of icebreakers? The topic of icebreaker activities is as controversial as the creamy vs crunchy peanut butter and proper toilet tissue roll orientation debates. You either love icebreakers or you hate them. Personally, I love a good icebreaker. Now, don’t get me wrong. If I have to sing, dance, or get really personal, I am out. But a good “get-to-know-you activity” or a “warm-up game” is something I am totally on board with. A good icebreaker sets a positive and welcoming tone, promotes interaction and engagement, and helps participants feel more comfortable and connected. So it can contribute to the success of the social gathering or group activity!

Are people interested in icebreakers?

While perusing Twitter one day, I came across this post by The Madwoman in the Classroom. I loved her question:

“What are legitimate alternatives to icebreakers that get school staff involved and facilitate communication and camaraderie? If you say “none” or “let me work in my room,” I’m going to hide your answer. I don’t need snark this morning, I am looking for real answers.”

Yes, I then went through all 724 responses. And take note, this post was (at the time) liked by 930 people. Proof there is interest in icebreakers!

Three Criteria for Icebreakers

I have three criteria for designing and choosing icebreakers. Whenever I’m planning an icebreaker activity, it must meet these three requirements:

Needs to have an element of fun
Low-key and informal without causing embarrassment
I, myself, would participate in this activity

I highlight eight icebreakers below that I discovered in comments on The Madwoman in the Classroom’s Tweet. They meet all three criteria and, in my humble opinion, would be great for back to school 2023!

1. School Encouragement Tour with Post-Its

For this icebreaker, the administration creates a schedule for different groups of staff to take a walk around the entire school (including classrooms, office, gym, library, cafeteria, buses, etc.). While you are on the tour, introduce yourself to new staff or give a back-to-school greeting to the people you meet. Take a minute to reconnect and take in their space. Use a Post-it note to write an encouraging statement. Leave it on their door as you go or drop it off in their school mailbox. This idea came from Heidi Graci, and she comments in the tweet, “I kept mine in my closet all year for encouragement during a stressful year.”

Materials needed: Post-it notes, pens/markers

2. Top-Tier Lesson Plan Ted Talk

Carve out some time during in-service for this idea-sharing icebreaker activity shared by Lorca Damon! You will need to tell your staff ahead of time so they have time to prepare. Divide your staff into grade levels (for elementary) or content areas (for secondary). Ask everyone to bring their top-tier lesson plan and give a one-minute Ted talk on why it was awesome/is your favorite. I personally think this is a great way to share good lesson plans and ideas.

Sample email you can send your teachers:

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we prepare for our upcoming inservice days, I’d like to request that we allocate some time for a valuable activity: A Top Tier Lesson Plan Ted Talk. For this activity, you will be placed in groups by grade level (for elementary) or subject areas (for secondary).

For this activity, I’d like each staff member to bring their top-tier lesson plan and present it in a one-minute TED talk-style presentation. Plan to explain why this lesson plan is awesome and why it holds a special place as your favorite. This will serve as a wonderful opportunity for us to share ideas and learn from each other, discovering valuable best practices and effective strategies we have within our team.

By sharing these good lesson plans, we can inspire and support one another in our mission to provide exceptional education. I believe this activity will foster collaboration, creativity, and professional growth among our faculty. Let’s make the most of this time together and strengthen our bond as a dedicated team.

Looking forward to the insightful and engaging presentations!

Sincerely,

[signature]

Materials: Lesson plan, technology (if needed), space for small breakout groups

3. Phone Photo Show and Tell

Take some time to have your staff pick their favorite picture on their phone. Allow for time to move around the room and share the photo with a few people. Usually, everyone loves to share about kids, pets, and travel. As Sarah Van Dermyden, the creator of this response, states: “It took the focus off of looking at each other and moved it to the phone for people who feel on the spot.” This is a good icebreaker for providing movement and casual conversation.

Materials: Phones and photos

4. Guess Who?

For this icebreaker activity shared by Mrs. Seibel, the principal hands out an index card to each staff and faculty member. Everyone fills it out with their name, where they were born, and an interesting fact or two about themselves. During in-service, the principal can read the cards out with staff guessing whose card it might be. If you have a large staff, I would probably spread this activity out throughout the year’s staff meetings.

Materials: Index cards and pens/markers

5. Melody Mystery

@Twisted3100 shared this fun idea! Send out a request for each of your staff to submit a song, any song (through a Google Form, by email, or using index cards like the Guess Who activity). They need to give the song title, artist, and a sentence explaining why it is important to them (without giving away their identity). It could be tied to a special event, a song they always sing on a road trip, or a song that reminds them of their wild college days.

During in-service, play a clip of each song for the group to hear. Guessing ensues! Who submitted the song? Most songs can be played on Spotify or through the iTunes store. I like this activity because your choice of song is up to each individual and there are SO many songs to choose from. Just like the Guess Who activity, a few songs can be played at future staff meetings throughout the year.

Materials: A method for collecting staff songs and information, a service through which to play songs, a device and speakers

6. Collective Resumes

@Teach_WA believes that collective resumes are a valuable icebreaker activity. Divide your staff into groups. You can use random groups or group people by grade level or subject. Display this graphic so each group can discuss, gather, and display their collective information on a poster. Host a gallery walk so the information can be shared with the whole group.

Each group should provide the following:

Years of experience
Taught in ___ schools
Grade levels taught
Degrees
Expertise
Strengths
Hobbies

Materials: directions, markers, and large Post-it pad paper (or butcher paper will work), Collective Resume Editable Graphic Template, Collective Resume Graphic for Display

7. Would You Rather?

Get the **Would You Rather: Teacher Edition** activity!

I like a game called Would You Rather, so I was happy to see Jennifer Greenland suggest it as an icebreaker in the comments. If you are not familiar, it’s a fun and engaging activity where participants are presented with a series of hypothetical choices. And they must choose between two options. The choices are often amusing, challenging, or thought-provoking, leading to interesting discussions and revealing insights into participants’ preferences and personalities. You can share out as a whole group or play in a small group setting. It’s low stress for the socially anxious among us.

Materials: Would You Rather: Teacher Edition Slide Deck

8. The Solo Cup Stacking Challenge

**Get the complete details for this activity!**

@Mariea_amy suggested another one of my favorites! In this challenge, participants work in groups of four. They create a grappler tool using four pieces of string and a rubber band to move cups placed in three stacks into a six-cup pyramid shape. Be prepared for lots of great communication and collaboration, and laughs!

Materials: (per group) Six solo cups, four pieces of string, and a rubber band

BONUS Resource

If you are an icebreaker aficionado, Tracie Kile suggests you check out the Facebook group called Team Building Activities for Educators. You will need to request membership, and once you’ve joined, you’ll find a wealth of ideas and resources to sift through and explore.

Remember, the power of a well-designed icebreaker can set a positive and welcoming tone, foster meaningful interactions, and create a sense of comfort and connection among your faculty and staff. So, cheers to the new school year! May it be celebrated with the smell of new crayons, welcome-back smiles and hugs, and– a good icebreaker!

August 9, 2023 3 comments

Back to School

ICYMI: Your 2023 Summer Blog Roundup

by Sara Qualls August 7, 2023

written by Sara Qualls

Can you believe summer is almost over? Me either! While you were busy enjoying your well-deserved summer break, my teammates wrote some incredible summer blog posts that might have flown under your radar. So, sit down, dive in, and check out a few hidden TechNotes gems you may have missed.

1. EduProtocols: Workflowing Amazing Lesson Design

ALDO becomes WALDO! Explore a lesson design outline with lots of resources for mixing and matching strategies, EduProtocols, and digital tools.

2. How to Create a Rubric with ChatGPT

Get an editable prompt template and create a rubric with ChatGPT in less than one minute! Watch it work its magic in an example video.

3. ChatGPT Prompts for Busy Educators

Take a look at ChatGPT prompts for educators! Learn how to craft your best prompt to maximize your results and get what you’re looking for.

4. Six Simple SEL Strategies for a Joyful Classroom

Restore joy, reduce stress, and boost student engagement by using these six, simple SEL strategies in your classroom!

5. Five Ways to Make a Splash with Wakelet

Are you using Wakelet yet? Discover five ways to leverage this digital curation tool with students, parents, and substitute teachers!

6. How Reliable Are AI Detectors?

Do AI detectors really work? You may be surprised. See how seven popular tools fared when put to the test with AI-generated text.

7. Going Beyond SAMR: Models for Technology Integration

Boost lesson design, student learning, and professional growth by combining the SAMR, TIM, and TPACK models for technology integration.

8. How to Easily Convert Quizzes Between Platforms

Need to get a set of quiz questions from one system (e.g. Quizlet, Kahoot!) into another? Find out how to convert quizzes easily!

9. Five Ways to Empower Educators through Instructional Coaching

Instructional coaches can be powerful partners in growth. Let’s explore growth coaching questions and ways coaches can support educators.

10. New Reading Tools to the Rescue from Google and Microsoft

Get the latest on Microsoft’s Reading Coach and Google’s new Reading Practice features for Google Play Books.

11. Quick and Easy Tools for Making Flashcards

If you’re looking for tools to make online flashcards to help students recall important information and practice skills, here is a goldmine!

12. How an Engaged Leader Fosters Employee Development

Are you a leader who is wanting to learn how to better support staff development? Let’s explore the employee development cycle!

13. Prompts for Lesson Planning with ChatGPT

Get an editable ChatGPT prompt for lesson planning and see prompt examples for activities, ideas, and differentiation.

14. A Back to School Calendar Packed with Celebrations

Snag a fully editable 2023-2024 back-to-school calendar loaded with celebrations. Adapt it however you’d like or leave it as is!

Well, I hope you feel like you are all caught up! Moreso, I hope you are excited and inspired by new ideas and tools to try. May your year be filled with enthusiasm and a passion for learning. Here’s to an incredible 2023-24 school year!

August 7, 2023 0 comments

Back to School Planning and Preparation

A Back to School Calendar Packed with Celebrations

by Emily Horn August 2, 2023

written by Emily Horn

If you’ve ever checked out National Today (or worked in a school), then you know there is more than one reason to celebrate each and every day. As I was thinking about the start of the year, I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a calendar for 2023-2024 with all the special weeks, months, and days marked with celebrations that might apply to school life?” So, I tried to create just that. But, it’s likely that I missed a few celebrations (there are thousands!), so I made this calendar an editable template for you to rework to your heart’s content. Here’s what you’ll get today:

An editable, printable 2023-2024 calendar with celebratory dates marked throughout (download at the end of this post)
A list of celebrations for each month of the year with linked resources

I wish everyone a wonderful back to school season. Have fun celebrating!

August 2023

August 2: National Coloring Book Day
August 6: National Friendship Day
August 9: National Book Lover’s Day and National Women’s Day
August 16: National Tell a Joke Day
August 23: National Park Day
August 27: World Rock Paper Scissors Day

September 2023

National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
Attendance Awareness Month
Classical Music Month
September 1: American Chess Day and World Letter Writing Day
September 3: National Pet Rock Day
September 4: Labor Day
September 8: International Literacy Day
September 14-20: National Coding Week
September 15: International Dot Day
September 16: National Trail of Tears Commemoration Day
September 18: Read an Ebook Day
September 22: Native American Day
September 23: Education Technology Day and First Day of Fall
September 25: Math Storytelling Day
September 30: International Podcast Day

October 2023

International School Libraries Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
National Cybersecurity Month
National Arts and Humanities Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Book Month
October 2: National Custodian Day
October 4-10: World Space Week
October 5: World Teachers’ Day
October 6: Kids Music Day
October 9: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 11: National Bring Your Teddy Bear to School Day
October 16: Dictionary Day
October 16-20: School Principals’ Week
October 16-20: National Health Education Week
October 20: National Day on Writing
October 24-31: Global Media and Information Literacy Week
October 25: National Fine Arts Appreciation Day
October 31: Halloween

November 2023

National Native American Heritage Month
Library and Information Services Month
National Family Literacy Month
National Gratitude Month
National Children’s Month
November 1: National Authors Day
November 2: Día de los Muertos
November 8: STEAM/STEM Day
November 9: Go to an Art Museum Day
November 11: Veterans Day
November 13-17: Anti-Bullying Week
November 13-17: National Young Readers Week
November 13-17: National Education Week
November 15: Education Support Professionals Day
November 17: International Students Day
November 20-24: National Book Week
November 23: Thanksgiving
November 24: Native American Heritage Day

December 2023

December 2: Special Education Day
December 6-12: Computer Science Education Week
December 10: Dewey Decimal Day
December 21: First Day of Winter

January 2024

International Brain Teaser Month
International Creativity Month
January 4: National Trivia Day
January 8: National Clean Your Desk Day
January 15: Elementary School Teacher Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 24: International Day of Education and National Compliment Day
January 26: International Environmental Education Day
January 29: National Puzzle Day

February 2024

International Friendship Month
National Library Lovers Month
National Haiku Writing Month
National Black History Month
February 1: National Freedom Day
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 5-9: Student Volunteering Week
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 7: World Read Aloud Day and National Periodic Table Day
February 9: National Pizza Day
February 14: Valentine’s Day and Library Lovers’ Day
February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 19: Presidents’ Day
February 21: Language Day

March 2024

National Music in Our Schools Month
National Women’s History Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Reading Month
Youth Art Month
March 1: National Speech and Debate Education Day
March 2-6: Read Across America Week
March 4: National Grammar Day
March 6: No Homework Day
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 14: Pi Day
March 15: National Preschool Teacher Appreciation Day
March 17-25: School Library Media Center Week
March 19: International Read to Me Day and First Day of Spring
March 21: World Poetry Day
March 22: World Water Day

April 2024

National Arab American Heritage Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Literature Month
National Poetry Month
School Library Month
Volunteer Month
April 1-5: National Assistant Principals’ Week
April 1: April Fool’s Day
April 2: National Picture Book Day and International Fact-Checking Day
April 3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4: National School Librarian Day
April 6-13: National Robotics Week
April 7-13: National Library Week
April 12: D.E.A.R. Day
April 14: National Donate a Book Day
April 16: National Librarian Day
April 20-27: National Park Week
April 22: Earth Day
April 23: School Bus Drivers’ Day and World Book Day
April 24: Administrative Professionals Day

May 2024

Jewish American Heritage Month
Asia Pacific American Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
National Share a Story Month
May 1-7: National PE and Sport Week
May 1: School Principals’ Day
May 2: World Password Day
May 3: School Lunch Hero Day
May 4: May the 4th
May 5-11: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: National Teachers’ Day
May 8: National School Nurse Day
May 9: Make a Book Day and Alphabet Magnet Day
May 24: International Day of Forests
May 27: Memorial Day

June 2024

Caribbean American Heritage Month
June 14: Flag Day
June 19: Juneteenth
June 20: National Day of Indigenous People
June 21: First Day of Summer
June 27: National Bingo Day

July 2024

July 1: Independence Day
July 20: International Chess Day and National Moon Day
July 26: System Administrator Appreciation Day

2023-2024 Back to School Editable Calendar Template

Get the Editable 2023-2024 Calendar Template

August 2, 2023 8 comments

Back to School Social-Emotional Learning

Transitioning Back to School After a Holiday Break

by Diana Benner December 28, 2022

written by Diana Benner

For teachers, the holiday break is one of the best times of the year. When I was a teacher, I remember being so excited to get a break so I could catch up on sleep. I also remember the days leading up to returning to school and thinking about how I was going to get back into my school routine. It’s important that we allow ourselves and our students time to transition back to school. Below are a few tips to help make that transition easier.

Review Expectations

I always considered the first day back from a holiday break to be just like the first day of school. You will want to review classroom expectations and procedures. It’s helpful if you have these written or posted somewhere so that students can visually see them. There are many fun ways to review classroom expectations. You could play games such as two truths and lie, jeopardy, and more.

Ease Into Learning

Plan for a reflection assignment, group work, or something hands on for students. More than likely, your students won’t be mentally or emotionally prepared for a hard assignment right when they walk in the door. Give them some time to transition back into learning.

Be Empathetic

Remember to be empathetic. Not every student will return to school happy or ready for the classroom. Some younger students might have a hard time being separated from their parents or guardians. Have some extra patience and compassion. Practice empathy while consistently enforcing your classroom expectations at the same time.

Reflect on Your Strategies

Take some time on your break for a little self-evaluation. Consider your teaching strategies in general. What has been successful? Are there any that need improvement? Are you incorporating high-yield instructional strategies into your classroom? Make a few notes and use them in your planning when you return to school.

Have a Plan for Stress Management

Upon returning, have a plan for how you are going to handle the stress of teaching. Brainstorm a few ideas over the break that will help you when you return to school. It could be something as small as meditating for five or ten minutes a day. This can make a big difference.

Five Tips for Transitioning Back to School After Holiday Break

Remember to take some time to ease the students and yourself back into the routine of learning. If you like these tips, you can learn more from Diana at TCEA 2023. She will be presenting a session on Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom where you can get tips for self-care for not only you but your students as well. She is also presenting a session on incorporating high-yield strategies into your classroom.

December 28, 2022 0 comments

Back to School Digital Citizenship Digital Literacy

Common Sense Education’s Free Resources for Back to School

by Emily Horn August 19, 2022

written by Emily Horn

Back to school is officially here. Some schools in the U.S. started in late July but as we approach mid to late August, we’re seeing even more back-to-school pictures pop up. Common Sense Education is here for it. And so is TCEA! I wanted to share several new resource and articles offered by Common Sense Education that I think you’ll find useful for the beginning of this new school year. Let’s take a look!

Customizable Templates

Common Sense Education recently posted these helpful templates for educators and caregivers. They cover all grade levels and include digital citizenship agreements, dinner conversation starters, and family guides you can share with caregivers.

Roundup of Best Ed Tech Tools

Here’s Common Sense’s roundup of 46 back-to-school tools for supporting instruction with technology. These tools are categorized under the following topics:

Social-emotional learning
Curriculum and lesson planning
Feedback, assessment, and porfolios
Organization and productivity
Parent and student communication
Presentation and video
Professional growth

Tips by Text

Common Sense Education is now offering families and caregivers a free text service in English and Spanish. Guardians can sign up to recieve tips for healthy technology use via text at no charge! Tips will include information on screen time management, choosing developmentally appropriate media and apps, setting boundaries, and recommendations for entertainment based on age. Share this information with your students’ families! And, as a bonus, here is an article with Four Tips on Managing Devices and Screen Time for Families you can share as well.

Additional Common Sense Education Articles

Have any resources you’d add to this list? Leave them in the comments for everyone to enjoy. And have a happy back to school!

August 19, 2022 0 comments

Back to School Classroom Management Digital Citizenship Leadership Libraries Online Tools and Apps Planning and Preparation Social-Emotional Learning STEM/STEAM

Back-to-School Roundup

by Sara Qualls August 15, 2022

written by Sara Qualls

Where did the summer go? With the start of a new year, I’ve gathered back-to-school resources from our amazing PD team and staff here at TCEA. Check out this categorized list full of ideas to create a successful school year.

You can skip to a section by selecting a category below:

Icebreakers

Bellringers

Leadership

In the Library

STEM

Social Emotional Learning

Activities

Templates

Lesson Planning

Choice Boards

Tools

Classroom Management

Classroom Walls

Coaching

Artificial Intelligence

Icebreakers

Eight Back to School Icebreakers for Team Building and Bonding
Icebreakers can facilitate staff connection, interaction, and fun. Explore some criteria for “good” icebreaker activities and get eight ideas!
Classroom Icebreakers for Back to School
Try these fun back-to-school icebreakers with your new students and be amazed at how quickly you learn who they are and what they like.
Even More Classroom Icebreakers for Back to School
We’re back with even more fun back-to-school icebreakers to try with a whole new set of students.

E book: Digital Icebreakers That Shatter: Activities to Break the Ice
Ice breakers are a great way to encourage interaction, make introductions, boost involvement, and form communities. Whether you’re leading a classroom on the first day of school or a new training session, this eBook will help you get things off on the right foot!

Bellringers

Bellringers for Improved Retention and Engagement
Learn how to make bell ringers more brain-based to help with retention and engagement. You’ll find a wealth of resources to ensure success.
“This, Not That” Bellringers
The latest version of the “This, Not That” bellringers includes a change in format and some new activities for back to school.

Leadership

Image of a bingo card for a Staff Summer Bingo Game

Icebreaker Games for Staff: Summer Staff Bingo
Want a fun icebreaker game to play with your staff this summer? Keep staff engaged with this Staff Summer Bingo Game!
How an Engaged Leader Fosters Employee Development
Are you a leader who is wanting to learn how to better support staff development? Let’s explore the employee development cycle!
Five Ways Leaders Can Improve School Culture
School culture affects everything. As a school leader, what’s your role in improving your school’s culture? And how can you change it?
Speed Geeking for Your Next Faculty Meeting
Familiar with speed geeking? This quick, engaging, and interactive approach to professional learning can spice up your next faculty meeting!
Back to School Ideas for Leaders
With a little effort and some creativity, you can provide a memorable “welcome back to school” message for your staff, teachers, or students!

Back to School: Five Tips for CTOs
Heading back to school, stakeholders’ eyes will be on you and how you resolved their issues and problems. Here are five tips to ensure you are ready.
Six Ways to Spice Up Back-to-School Inservice
Spice up your back-to-school in service with these suggestions on how to make the first days with your staff really count.
Ways to Welcome Your Teachers Back to School
Are you looking for ways to welcome your staff back to the new school year? If so, check out these suggestions.
Quotes for the New School Year
If you’re looking for inspiration for the new year, look no further. Check out some quotes and tips for using them to inspire students.
Building a School Culture That Works
Discover how to craft the classroom or school culture you want this year by including these important pieces.
Embracing Confrontation: A Protocol for Tough Conversations
Leaders, discover a protocol for pushing into tough conversations to promote accountability and positive culture in your workplace.

10 Tips and Tools for School Leaders
Hey, school leaders! Are you looking for some tips and tools to apply to your leadership? Look no further. In this post, you’ll discover 10.
Personality Test for Professional Development
Try this free personality test to learn more about yourself. Then think about how you might incorporate it into professional learning with your peers.
Nine Tips for Giving Great Feedback to Employees
Giving feedback that’s useful, constructive, positive, and timely can be challenging. Here are nine tips to make it a little easier.
How to Create an Email Signature That Represents You
Want to take your email signature from drab to fab? Check out these tips and how-to instructions for making your signature pop!

In the Library

Seven Back-to-School Tips for Librarians
Librarians, how do you get ready for the school year? Here are seven tips with some resources and tools to help you have your best year yet.
Canva Templates for Librarians
Canva’s librarian-friendly templates are a game-changer! From book display posters to social media graphics, they’ve got it all. You’ll love how easy it is to create pro-looking visuals for your library.
Four Way Google Calendars Can Help Teacher-Librarians Plan
Keeping information organized in Google Calendars can make planning easier for teacher-librarians. Here are some tips from two library experts.

Five Free, Ready-to-Use Digital Citizenship Resources for PK-12 Lessons
Looking for some activities to use in your PK-12 classroom? Get the conversation going with these resources.
How to Create Accessible and Equitable Library Collections
Here are five resources for building an even greater library collection that authentically and respectfully serves and represents everyone!
A Librarians Approach to Launching Tech Tuesdays
See how one librarian launched Tech Tuesday and partnered with teachers for successful technology integration on her campus.
Empowering Students as Digital Leaders
Here are two ways students can be leaders in digital literacy and citizenship and six tips on how to get started on your campus!
Finding the Perfect Book to Read Next
Discover a variety of free tech tools that will help you find exactly the best next book to read or to discuss with friends around the world.
Finding Free Audiobooks for Educators
Discover four great resources for free audiobooks that both you and your students can enjoy, thus providing another way to personalize learning.
Want to Boost Your Librarian-Teacher Partnerships?
Teachers, want to work with your librarian? Librarians, want to work more with teachers? Here are four tips for building a solid partnership.
Using the BeReal App to Advocate for Your Library
See how two minutes and two pictures in BeReal can help you advocate for your library and raise awareness of the library profession.
FiveWays to Engage Your School Community with eBooks
Explore five ways one librarian is using ebooks to engage her school community and reach students in ways they’ve not been reached before!

STEM

Prepping for a STEM/STEAM Year
STEM/STEAM activities are a powerful way to engage students. Here are a few resources to help you prepare for a stem-rific school year.
Back to School with STEM
STEM activities are a powerful way to engage students. Here are a few resources to kick off your school year in the STEM direction.

Seven Ready-to-Use Story Bin STEM Activities
Embark on a journey of story-fueled engineering design and problem-solving with story bins. Explore this creative idea for young learners!
We Have to Save Fred!
Always a favorite, The Save Fred Challenge is great for team building. Plus, check out extension ideas to create a perfect day of learning.
Solo Cup Engineering Challenge
The Solo Cup Engineering Challenge is perfect for team-building. Students and adults love this activity for fun and learning.
Starting a Robotics Program
Running a robotics program can be a challenge, especially at the start. But fear not; we’re exploring everything that goes into a successful program.
Download Free Lego Maker Cards for Inspiration and Creation
Download some free LEGO Maker Cards and inspire students to create in your classroom, on a LEGO table, or on your school’s LEGO wall.
The Dump Truck Incident: An Elementary Problem-Solving Challenge
Elementary teachers! Check out this problem-solving challenge that will have your students thinking about engineering concepts in a brand new way.

Social Emotional Learning

Three Easy Ways to Incorporate SEL This School Year
It’s more important than ever that we incorporate social-emotional learning this school year. Here are three easy ways to integrate SEL.

Three Activities for Back-to-School Anxiety
As the start of school approaches, students may be feeling anxious. Try some SEL activities to help destress them.
Six Strategies for Building Empathy in the Classroom
Showing empathy can help teachers better understand and support students. Learn how you can incorporate this skill in your classroom.
Five Quick Ways to Integrate Social-Emotional Learning
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is important for all students. Here are five easy ways to integrate SEL into your lesson planning.
Six Simple SEL Strategies for a Joyful Classroom
Restore joy, reduce stress, and boost student engagement by using these six, simple SEL strategies in your classroom!
Six Activities to Promote Kindness with Your Students
Are you looking for ways to practice and promote kindness with your students? Explore activities you can use to teach kindness all year long.
A New Tool to Create Conversational Check-Ins
Discover a fast and free online tool to help generate unique and conversational check-ins for building your team.
14 Editable SEL Check-In Templates
From LEGOS to llamas, grab some themed SEL check-in templates! Plus, learn how they benefit students’ social-emotional development.

Activities

Back to School Breakout
Elementary teachers, are you looking for a great resource for back to school? How about a digital breakout to kick off your year?
Five Creative Back-to-School Activities with Book Creator
Check out five ways to use Book Creator to encourage collaboration, creativity, and a growth mindset during the first weeks of school.
10 First Day of School Activities Shared by Teachers
Looking for ways to foster classroom community during the first weeks of school? Here are 10 activities for you to try!
Three Editable Back to School Activities for Language Development
Here are three back-to-school activities (and extra ideas!) to get early learners and language learners exploring their classroom and school.

Email Writing for Students
In today’s digital world, teaching your students the art of writing an email is a must. This blog has lesson ideas, videos, and resources to help.
Three Editable Back to School Activities for Language Development
Here are three back to school activities (and extra ideas!) to get early learners and language learners exploring their classroom and school.

Templates

80 Graphic Organizer Templates for Active Learning
Did you know that using graphic organizers can promote active learning? Here are 80 free and fully customizable templates for you to explore!
Dicebreakers and Activity Debriefing
Explore how to engage students in self-judgement and reflection using dice debriefing activities and dicebreakers. Get some templates, too!
Google Templates for Students
Looking for a template to get your students started on a project? We’ve found some great Google Docs and Slides templates to use as they are or change up to match your classroom.
Frayer Model Template for Word Analysis
Need a quick way to introduce students to tough vocabulary? In this follow-up to “Semantic Maps Made Easy,” see and get Frayer Model templates.

High Impact Strategy: Using Google and Self-Reported Grades
Student self-reported grades is a powerful instructional strategy that all teachers should use. Combine it with Google tools and the learning skyrockets. Plus, grab several templates like this pizza one above.
Three Empowering Activities for Summarization
Explore three digital versions of summarization activities you can adapt for use with your students, or for professional development.

Lesson Planning

Meet ALDO: Amazing Lesson Design Outline
ALDO, the Amazing Lesson Design Outline, provides educators with a way to ensure that each lesson is engaging and carefully thought out.
EduProtocols: Workflowing Amazing Lesson Design
ALDO becomes WALDO! Explore a lesson design outline with lots of resources for mixing and matching strategies, EduProtocols, and digital tools.

2000+ Lesson Plan Templates and Ideas for K12
Discover a wealth of lesson plan template resources and treasures in this searchable collection for grades K-12 in all subject areas.
Back to School Apps for Lesson Planning
Looking for tools to make lesson planning easier? Look no further than these three free apps that can assist you in designing amazing learning experiences.
Lesson Planning: 5E Model + Technology
Lesson planning remains a tool for teachers to use to make sure they are covering the required material. If you follow the 5E Model for planning and add technology to it, you end up with a very powerful way to bring the curriculum to life for all students.

Choice Boards

Templates and Ideas for Making Differentiated Choice Boards
Choice boards can seriously boost learning and engagement. Here are some ideas, resources, and templates for using them with your students.
Creating a Choice Board for Your Classroom
Ready to create an interactive learning opportunity for students? Take advantage of choice boards. In this blog entry, we’ll cover five steps to create one.
A Collection of Choice Board Examples and Templates
What’s up with choice boards? See what Marzano has to say, and explore templates and examples for choice boards across subjects and grades.
Choice Boards for Elementary Learners
Take your elementary classroom to the next level with these choice board examples and templates. Your students will thank you!
Choice Boards for Active Learning in Math
Choice boards are a powerful tool to use in any subject, and that includes math. Here are some examples for all grade levels.

Tools

Nine Technology Tools for Accommodation, Modification, and Intervention
Looking for a few technology tools to help with accommodations, modifications, and interventions? Check out these nine gems.
Use This Puzzle Maker Tool for Retrieval Practice
Add another retrieval practice tool to your toolbox. Vimboard offers a few benefits for simple, multiple-choice assessments that you can use now.
Top Five Tech Tools for New Teachers
What are the tech tools that every new teacher needs? Hear from TCEA’s Area 19 Director, Crystal Fuentes, as she shares her top five.
An Online Wheel Spinner for Every Occasion
Looking for a random generator in the form of a spinner? Here are seven easy spinners that will get you selecting a winner quick and easy.
Digital Tools for News Literacy
Explore these resources to help students make sense of the media they are exposed to and build lasting news literacy skills.
Five Interactive Tools for Learning the Periodic Table
Wish you had a list of amazing interactive science tools? Explore these periodic tables of elements that help make science interactive!
Five Simple Graphing Tools Make Graphs Easy and Fun
Tired of complex graphing tools that leave students frustrated and confused? Well here are five simple and easy tools that make graphs fun!
Powerful and Easy Digital Tools for Formative Assessment
Formative assessment can double student learning gains and digital tools can help. Let’s take a look at a few great options!
Seven Online Timers to Try In Your Classroom
Having a good digital timer is essential in today’s classrooms. Check out these timers with fun and unique features.
Quick and Easy Tools for Making Flashcards
If you’re looking for tools to make online flashcards to help students recall important information and practice skills, here is a goldmine!

Classroom Management

Classroom Contracts: An Excellent Strategy for Student Behavior Management
Classroom contracts can be a great way to hold students accountable and give them ownership of their classroom environment.
Transforming Interruptions in the Elementary Classroom
Looking for ways to prevent unnecessary interruptions, foster classroom community, and empower students to problem solve? Here are five ideas.
Classroom Management Strategies for Teachers
How can teachers manage a classroom effectively? Here are some classroom management strategies to try with your students.

Classroom Walls

Display Classroom Expectation Posters This School Year
Learn how to create classroom expectation posters to help you and your students begin the new year on a very positive note.
Ready, Set, LEGO Wall
If you are thinking about having a LEGO wall in a makerspace, classroom, or library, be sure to check out these tips before you start building.
Free Classroom Posters to Engage Students
These classroom posters can be used for special months of celebration or hung all year long. Take a look — they’re all free!

Coaching

Relationship-Building Tips for Instructional Coaches
The first step of coaching is relationship building. Here are a few ways to create and maintain positive relationships with the professionals you coach.
Five Ways to Empower Educators through Instructional Coaching
Instructional coaches can be powerful partners in growth. Let’s explore growth coaching questions and ways coaches can support educators.
Make Coaching Connections
Are you a new instructional coach headed back to school? Take advantage of these tips and suggestions.
Pineapple Charts: Learning From Your Peers
Pineapple charts help educators easily learn from each other. Using pineapple charts makes scheduling that learning simple and convenient.
Three Questions for Instructional Coaching
These three questions help establish the groundwork for effective instructional coaching and result in a deeper relationship and real teaching improvement.
Things I Wish I’d Known As an Instructional Coach
Learn ten of the important things that I wish I’d known as an instructional coach that will help you to have a greater impact on the teachers you help.
How to Create an Email Signature That Represents You
Want to take your email signature from drab to fab? Check out these tips and how-to instructions for making your signature pop!

Ten Ideas for Tech Coaches to Help Their Teachers Grow
Explore creative and fun ways for tech coaches to encourage teachers in their growth with technology integration. Ready, set, ed tech!
Conference for Educational Coa c hes
Sign up for the Conference for Educational Coaches (CEC) to discover the latest in professional development, best practices for coaching, and even more ideas for supporting educators. Attend in person in Austin, Texas or online from October 9-10.

Artificial Intelligence

How to Create a Responsible Use Policy for AI
Have you been asked to develop a school AI policy? Check out some resources and a process for integrating AI into your responsible use policy.
A Teacher Rubric and Checklist for Assessing AI Tools
There are a lot of AI tools floating around. But which ones are relevant, safe, and easy to use? Evaluate AI with this rubric and checklist!
ChatGPT Prompts for Busy Educators
Take a look at ChatGPT prompts for educators! Learn how to craft your best prompt to maximize your results and get what you’re looking for.
How to Create a Rubric with ChatGPT
Get an editable prompt template and create a rubric with ChatGPT in less than one minute! Watch it work its magic in an example video.
How to Differentiate Texts with ChatGPT
Need an adapted or translated text? Use ChatGPT to generate differentiated texts and better accommodate varied reading and language levels!
How Reliable Are AI Detectors
Do AI detectors really work? You may be surprised. See how seven popular tools fared when put to the test with AI-generated text.
An AI Tool for Generating Higher-Order Questions
Heard of Parlay Genie? This new AI tool generates discussion questions to spark deeper thinking for students in grades 5 through higher ed!

For Texas Educators

I hope these strategies, activities, templates, and more get the brain flowing with ideas to create a successful start. Have a wonderful new school year!

August 15, 2022 0 comments

Back to School Libraries Planning and Preparation

Seven Back-to-School Tips for Librarians

by Kristi Starr August 10, 2022

written by Kristi Starr

Are you a librarian who likes to plan, or do you fly by the seat of your pants? Maybe it’s a bit of both. Intentions are good but, when the first day of school suddenly stares you in the face, it’s all about survival mode. No matter where you are in the planning process, here are a few suggestions to help you face the beginning of the year with confidence.

Know thyself.

Be honest with yourself about your skills, your strengths and weaknesses, and the things you can and can’t control. Whether you’re considering sweeping changes or just want to make small alterations in daily tasks, think about what each requires and what stands in your way. Do you need an ally? An accountability partner? An alarm? Never be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s a friend on your campus, a fellow librarian, or a library leader.

Use a planning system.

Find a way to track what you want to accomplish and when! That could mean slotting a time every day, or a few times a week, to create and schedule social media posts or write blog posts. It can include noting days for changing displays as well as ideas for display and programming themes. Your calendar/planner is also a great place to track events going on in your library as well as classes or groups visiting and using the library. Don’t forget to include events you plan to attend and classes you visit. Your planner will also be a valuable data resource when it’s time to provide reports.

librarian tip calendar — ***Created by Zinnia Bayardo***

You can find some excellent planner options for purchase or download. Demco offers a library planner designed by Kristina Holzweiss. Zinnia Bayardo of Northside ISD shared this fabulous weekly calendar template that can be printed or used digitally. You can also make your own in Canva or Slides. A general academic planner can also be easily customized, like this Star Wars-themed one from Erin Condren).

Find your go-to programming resources.

Planning and programming go hand in hand. There are many great people and sites to follow to help with ideas and resources. For this, social media might be your best friend. The Book Wrangler is an elementary librarian to follow, and he shares lots of printables on his blog. Shannon McClintock Miller and the VanMeter Library Voice is another good source for programming ideas. Use reading lists, designated months and weeks, and holidays. Or maybe Facebook groups are your jam. If you prefer more random celebrations, check out NationalToday.com for a compilation of popular as well as lesser-known events. Like today, August 10, you get National Lazy Day, National Spoil Your Dog Day, Update Your Bio Day, Vlogging Day, World Lion Day, and Duran Duran Appreciation Day.

Pick your go-to tools.

Canva or Adobe? Nearpod or PearDeck? Wakelet or Padlet? Genially or BookCreator? Know which tools you can access in a pinch to create amazing content. When you have more time available, then you can play around and experiment with new sites and apps.

Pick one big thing at a time to focus on.

Some people are better at multitasking than others, but if you want to work efficiently, your best bet is to focus on a job and get it done. Too many overlapping projects can lead to burnout. Weeding, diversity audits, genrefication and shelving changes, or website development are just a few projects that can require extensive time to complete. When you’re trying to launch a new program or initiative, establish one at a time before moving on to the next. Trying to establish a library advisory board, set up your very first book club, and institute a Tech Tuesday can be overwhelming if you’ve never done any of them before.

Determine the data you need, then decide how you’ll collect it.

I keep track of 3 types of student visits: classes, individual students and small groups, and students needing loaner Chromebooks. I document each in a different manner. Circulation reports are easy. Numeric data is important, but it’s not the only data we need to tell our stories. Materials requests, reading preferences, and patron comments can inform and justify collection development and library services.

Grow your PLN.

I have the best professional learning network ever. Some are friends I’ve only met once or twice face-to-face, but they consistently make my job easier and better. Find and follow the people to follow who fill your cup, who share great ideas, who make you a better person. My PLN contains people all across the state and even the nation, people I consider to be friends. If you’re fortunate enough to work in a district or live in an area with lots of other librarians, use them to learn from and grow your practice. If you don’t, the TCEA librarian community is vibrant, and Twitter and Instagram are wonderful places to connect with others. Iron sharpens iron.

August 10, 2022 1 comment

Social-Emotional Learning

Three Activities for Back-to-School Anxiety

by Diana Benner August 4, 2022

written by Diana Benner

Going back to school can be exciting for some students, but it can also be stressful for others. Feelings of anticipation and uncertainty can cause students to feel anxious. Students may begin to feel anxiety during the summer before the new school year begins. They might be wondering who their teacher will be, where their classes are, and if they will make new friends. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) activities can help students cope with this anxiety. Let’s look at three SEL activities that can help students destress and start the year off strong.

Getting to Know You Bingo

Helping students get to know one another can make all the difference. With this bingo game, students will have fun learning about each other by finding things they have in common. To play the game, ask students to find classmates who fit the descriptors on the game card. Students can play a regular bingo game, or they can complete the entire card.

Give the winner a small reward and acknowledge everyone’s efforts by asking students to raise their hand if they completed five, 10, 15, or 20 squares. After the game is over, you can review each statement on the card and ask who it applied to. This is a good way for students to see what they have in common with others in the class.

To create a bingo card, I recommend using Flippity. Flippity has a bingo template along with instructions so that you can easily create your own cards. Below is an example of a bingo card I created.

Mindful Check In

A challenge for teachers is not knowing how students are feeling at the beginning of the school year. Therefore, it’s important to check in with them. Doing a check-in with your students before class begins can give you a good indication of how your students are feeling. Be sure to check out some of these daily check-in Jamboard templates. By acknowledging how your students feel, you are creating a safe place for them.

If students indicate they are feeling good, then have them share their good feelings with the class. If students are feeling down or anxious, allow them some time to do mindfulness activities, like deep breathing exercises.

Worry Jar or Box

The Worry Box is an activity in which students can identify their worries and allow themselves to forget them for a little while. All you need for this activity is a glass or plastic jar. If you want a box, then you can use a shoe box. You can even decorate it if you want.

Have students write down their anxieties or worries and place them in the worry box or jar. After students place their slips of paper in the box or jar, be sure to store it out of the student’s view. If your students want to share their anxieties, allow them to. They may find out that there are other students in the classroom that feel the same way. This can help build empathy among the class. If students are too young to write, they can draw their worries, and if you want a digital version, check out this Worry Monster Jamboard created by Karen Stepic.

For some students, going back to school can cause different levels of anxiety. There are many ways SEL can help students calm themselves and work through their insecurities. Encourage students to try out a few SEL activities and discover what works best for them.

August 4, 2022 0 comments

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