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Get Off to a Great Start!

As schools get ready for back-to-school, this week we share resources to help you prepare for the new year. We begin with three tools to help you prepare for the first day. 

Grades K-12

Classroom Architect

Design the layout of your classroom: select basic dimensions and then move desks, arrange tables, and add carpet with the drag-and-drop feature. You can also free-draw custom items not already listed on the site.

Grades K-6

Back to School Read-alouds

Build classroom community during those all-important first few weeks of school by reading with your students. To get started, check out this collection of read-aloud suggestions, books are divided by grade level.

Grades K-6

Class123

Get organized with this tool that offers options for communicating with parents, behavior record keeping, and online tools to assist in the classroom, including timer, bell, random name picker, seating chart, awards, checklists, and virtual chalkboard.

Make the Most of the First Weeks

Teachers know the importance of setting the classroom climate during the first few weeks of a new year. Make the most of this pivotal time with tools to share goals, adjust seating charts, and help students be organized.

Grades K-12

Future Me - Write a Letter to the Future

Students can create emails to be sent to themselves in the future (up to 50 years later)! Ask students to set yearly goals and then schedule an email to send halfway through the school-year so that they can check their progress. See review for more ideas.

Grades K-6

Happy Class

As you get to know your class, you may want to rearrange the desks/tables. Create charts in minutes based on students' needs and relationships with this online seating chart maker.

Grades 5-12

myHomework

Help students get organized with an electronic planner! The planner will track homework, assignments, tests, and more. Students enter class information including start and end times, classroom number, teacher information, homework, and notes.

Get to Know Your Students

From creative introductions to classroom ice breakers to needs assessments, there's a tool for that! Connect and get to know your students with these three helpful finds.

Grades 2-9

Trading Card Creator

Challenge students to create and share their own trading cards to introduce themselves to the class. (Don't forget to create one for yourself!) Detailed instructions are provided. Hang the trading cards on the bulletin board for other students to view.

Grades K-12

Getting to Know You Ideas from TeachersFirst

Try these activities from TeachersFirst to help you and your students get to know one another early in the school year. There are activity ideas for elementary and secondary level students. And, there is a link to even more ideas to explore!

Grades 1-12

Thrively

Try this during back to school time! Based on 23 factors, Thrively offers a strengths and interests assessment for your students. The educator receives a profile that is personal, positive, and celebrates each child's core strengths and unique talents.

This Week at TeachersFirst

Our summer learning opportunities continue to sizzle this week with two OK2Ask® virtual workshops and a Twitter chat. And, please take a moment to answer our weekly poll.