Evaluate Your Teacher Toolbox Constantly

This year is obviously going to be very different. So as we plan, we must constantly evaluate and re-evaluate the tools, methods, and strategies that we use. We may be teaching online, in-person, or a combination of both. The one thing we do know is that it will not be business as usual. Our online tools will be especially important regardless of the format.

By planning to use a lot of online resources, we can more easily switch from online to in-person learning. For example, by using a virtual Bitmoji classroom in Google Slides or another presentation tool, we are able to create a learning environment that can easily transition from one format to the other. By linking learning websites, online textbook resources, and online games, students can take advantage of individualized lessons and independent practice whether learning from home or at school.

Design a Communication Plan

Now more than ever, effective communication can mean the difference between success and failure. If we are having in-person school, communication regarding steps being taken to ensure the health and safety of students will need to be frequent and consistent. Communicating strict guidelines to students in order to help them adjust to their new normal and stay protected will also be vital.

For those that are participating in online learning, there needs to be a clear communication plan and parents need to know exactly what to expect where communication is concerned. A great way to stay connected with students and parents in a virtual learning environment is with Google Classroom. This gives the teacher a place to make announcements to students and parents. It also allows the teacher to meet with both students and parents through Google Meet.

Of course, there will be some that are not comfortable with those platforms. In that case, more emails and phone calls home will be necessary; perhaps even daily. However, using an online classroom platform can help save time and get the word out quickly and efficiently when needed.

Thoughtfully Design Your Content

As you plan, keep in mind that you should design your activities and lessons so that it can easily transition between online and in-person. Organize the lessons and units into easy chunks. Prioritize standards and objectives, especially when learning online, to get the most critical lessons and skills to students.

Also, as stated earlier, use presentation tools to organize a day’s instruction with slides for each activity and links for educational games and independent practice. For example, create a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation for each week with all the ELA skills that will be covered divided into activities/slides for each day of the week. Include activities for vocabulary, interactive read-alouds, phonics, etc. This works for whole-group instruction, but it also translates well to online learning. It may sound like a lot, but once the first one has been created, it can easily be tweaked and updated for the next week’s skills. In doing this, the teacher is developing his/her own arsenal of digital learning tools that can be used in the future as well.

Create Routines

As teachers, we always begin the year by teaching the classroom routines to our students. That’s one thing that will remain the same, although the routines themselves might be different. These routines should be consistent across all areas and spaces. Do you usually start your day with morning announcements or carpet time? You can still do that although some of the specifics for the routine might change. If you usually have students gather on a rug, for example, the better option may be to have them stay in their seats during that time. Maybe use special lighting or music during that time to create more of a sense of closeness and coziness during that time to make up for the differences that social distancing brings.

Online routines can be established as well. If you are able to meet with students online, there should be a fixed time every day that students are expected to join. Then, begin that day the same way that you would in the classroom. If doing in-person school, be sure to establish routines that will easily translate to online learning, as it will likely be required during some point in the school year.

Focus on Relationship Building

Regardless of where the learning is taking place, building relationships with students is the key to a successful year. If attending school in person, there will so many changes brought about by the worldwide pandemic that students could very easily feel separated from one another. Students could likely feel isolated and alone. Therefore, it is especially important that teachers find ways to build relationships with students while, at the same time, maintaining proper safety measures.

Perhaps look for games, both educational and fun, that can be done effectively while maintaining social distancing. Place students on virtual teams and have them do an online escape room project together on their own devices. If teaching some or all students online, set up meeting times with each student. These can be very brief meetings that can be scheduled so that the teacher can see each student individually once or twice a week to go over work or discuss any issues the child may need to discuss. This would definitely help our students know we are there for them and that they are not alone.

Design Discovery Activities Around Key Tech Tools

One of the most important things that teachers will do at the beginning of this school year is introduce key tech tools to students and help them discover how to navigate these platforms and apps. In doing this, students will be prepared to use variety of tools that can be useful whether learning from home or at school.

These are uncertain times. However, teachers and students are very resilient and can adapt remarkably well when we work together. Let’s strive to think outside the box, get creative, and succeed!

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Student Videos

Grade Levels:  K-12

Let’s face it, only some students are eager to stand in front of the classroom and introduce themselves. Instead of putting your shy students on the spot, try challenging them to make a video introduction of themselves. Younger students will enjoy using Voki to create an avatar character that represents themselves. They will use this avatar to share something special about themselves, making it a less intimidating experience for the shy students to introduce themselves to their classmates.

Older students will enjoy making a short video clip to introduce themselves using the Green Screen app, which allows them to transport themselves to any destination they choose. This is a fun way for students to showcase their favorite destinations or where they traveled over summer break. Both options are creative ways for students to share about themselves without the pressure of standing in front of the classroom.

QR Code Self Portraits

Grade Levels: K-12

QR codes are little white and black squares that were originally used by companies for marketing purposes but have made their way into the classroom. QR codes, or “quick response codes,” act as shortcuts to web links. When you scan the code with your smartphone, it takes you directly to a specific webpage. On the first day of school, you can use QR codes to help students get to know one another. Students can create a webpage about themselves, then use a website like Kaywa to  generate a QR code. Students attach this QR code to a photograph or self-portrait. Once these are displayed in the hallway, classmates can scan the codes on the pictures to learn more about each other.

Name Games

Grade Levels: K-5

Name games are a fun and simple way to help students (and teachers!) remember each other’s names. Younger students can sit in a circle, and each say their name along with a favorite animal or hobby. Older students can walk around the classroom finding classmates who match the descriptions in the bingo squares, such as “Has a pet dog” or “Loves cheeseburgers.”

Here are a few other favorite name-game activities to try:

• Name Train – Students learn and practice each other’s names while forming a train with their bodies.
• Group Juggle – Students learn names in a fast-paced Nerf ball game.
• Scavenger Hunt – Students team up to find common classroom items.
• Name Web – Students learn their classmates’ names and one fact about them.
• Meet Your Match – Students meet new classmates by finding someone with the same puzzle piece as them.

Read Aloud

Grade Levels: K-5

A well-chosen book on the first day of school can set a positive tone for the entire school year. Select a story that emphasizes friendship or kindness. After reading the story, discuss the book’s message and ask students to talk about how they think it relates to their experiences and hopes for the new school year ahead.

Here are a few book suggestions:

• “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
• “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson
• “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig
• “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña
• “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud

Student Interest Surveys

Grade Levels: 3-12

Getting to know your student’s interests and learning preferences can help tailor your teaching throughout the year. Hand out surveys where students can share their favorite subjects, hobbies, and how they like to learn. This information is invaluable for creating engaging lesson plans and making each student feel seen and valued. You can download this free student interest survey for younger grades from Teachers Pay Teachers. For older grades, there’s also a free student interest survey available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Goal Setting Activities

Grade Levels: 4-12

The first day of school is the perfect time to encourage students to set personal and academic goals for the year. This will help students develop important skills in planning, perseverance, and self-reflection. Plus, they’ll have a tangible sense of their growth and achievements throughout the school year. Provide students with worksheets where they can write down their goals. Include sections for setting their goals, the steps they will take to achieve them, and how they plan on staying motivated. For younger students, simplify the process by having them draw pictures of their goals. Be sure to schedule time to revisit these goals throughout the year to celebrate achievements and or change as needed.

Classroom Rules and Expectations Discussion

Grade Levels: K-12

The key to a successful school year is to set the tone for behavior and expectations. Engage your students in a discussion about classroom rules and allow them to contribute their thoughts and ideas. For younger students, brainstorm a list of rules together as a class and write them down on a colorful poster that they can refer back to throughout the year. For older students, discuss the importance of each rule and how they can help create a respectful and productive classroom. By involving students in this process, you’re fostering a sense of ownership and community right from the start.

The first day of school can be a challenge for many children. These activities are meant to break the ice, create connections, and set a positive tone for the school year. The goal for the first day of school is to make every single student feel welcomed, valued, and excited for the school year ahead. Good luck! You got this!

*Updated August 2024

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Why Do We Need to Address This?

In this day and age, childcare is not always accessible or affordable. In order to make back-to-school night easier to attend, it is important to provide families with options. Many families have two working parents, divorced/remarried parents, and many other unique situations that can make it challenging to attend. Most parents would be grateful for the opportunity to attend without having to arrange childcare.

This is a simple gesture that shows families the importance of attending back-to-school night. Each year, I notice an increasing number of missing parents from this important informational night. As teachers, this is the night parents/families get to meet the teacher and see where their children spend much of their week. Modeling for families an effort to get them to attend can be a game changer.

Who Should Be Involved?

As members of the education society, we all need to focus on thinking more globally. What I mean by this is to not view how it will affect your classroom individually, but the school or your district as a whole. Through completing graduate school, I developed the ability to view many decisions or make many decisions on a more global level, which I feel has helped my classroom run more effectively overall.

Building a solid school community of teachers, families, and students is so important to the success of the school year, and even involving the board of education members can help to build a strong foundation. When students observe their teachers and families working together, it helps to create a more positive and inviting learning environment. It also can help with classroom management, because students see teachers and parents communicating regularly. As far as planning a family friendly back-to-school night goes, I think the more that want to be involved, the better!

How to Involve the Whole Family

One way that a school can be more accommodating is to set up a classroom for the students that are in the building. You can involve the PTA (Parent Teacher Association), as well as some of the more responsible students in the school. The PTA could have a sign-in sheet and have little activities set up around the room. Student volunteers can help to run the activities, while the adults oversee them. One great activity would be to have students design bookmarks. This sends the message of the importance of reading, while allowing students to express individuality and make a cool bookmark to use all year. This helps to bring the school community together, as well as accommodate parents who do not have another option. This option would need to be planned prior to back-to-school night and be approved by administration, but it is a great idea to bring up when school starts up in the fall.

Another simple way would be to have a movie classroom. Again, this could be run by the PTA, or special area teachers could rotate in on half hour shifts in the room. Responsible students again can help with running this “movie room.” This would give students a place to hang out, and meet some new friends while the parents meet the teachers and see the classroom environment.

Utilizing the school gymnasium could also be a great idea! You can set up different activity stations and have some simple games set up for the attending children to participate in. Again, simple is the key word here, as you want the games to move quickly and efficiently. Minute-to-Win-It games, such as cup stacking, are a great idea.

Incorporating activities into your actual classroom on back-to-school night can be a bit more challenging. I would set up a comfortable area in the hallway directly outside your classroom to accommodate children. You can leave out questionnaires for siblings of students, as well as your students alike if they are in attendance. You can say you want to get to know the family. Coloring pages and simple activity worksheets would also be good for this setup. If you planned on setting up a little station outside of your classroom, I would run this by administration first to make sure they are on board with this. Many schools want to be “on the same page,” and it may not be considered fair if one teacher offers this while others do not. It is always best to obtain approval for any ideas.

Including the entire family in back-to-school night is a wonderful idea. Keeping students in the room while parents listen to information pertinent to the school year is too distracting, but having activities, games, or alternative placements in the building is a great idea. When the parents/family are finished meeting the teacher and listening to details about the school year, the family can then move onto activities and participate together.

The world is a different place than it was 20 years ago, and being more progressive in all areas of thinking is important to the success of our schools. When it becomes apparent that it is difficult for parents/families to attend back-to-school night, appropriate accommodations must be made. As teachers, it is so important to form connections with students and their families, and this is the first stepping stone to doing so.

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Although some staples like open house have stood the test of time, there is no doubt that culture and technology have evolved tremendously. This evolution has impacted our schools, and that impact has trickled down even to open house. Below are some fresh ideas to help your open house remain relevant and effective.

Ditch the Old PowerPoint on Back-to-School Night

Let me start off by saying this: I get it. The PowerPoint that you made five years ago is accessible and convenient. You can update a slide or two and you’re done! As technology has evolved, however, presentation software has evolved as well. Open house is a great time to showcase inventive presentation applications that you can implement throughout the year.

Prezi, for example, is a presentation platform that was created with the human brain in mind. Using scientific research about how we learn and engage, the creators of Prezi created software that researchers have found to be more engaging and effective than its commonly used competitor. Prezi allows users to use visuals and spatial relationships to create an interactive experience. It’s not only a great resource to use during open house, but also a useful resource to expose your students to in the classroom. Prezi isn’t the only tool offering a fresh approach to presentations – there are many others, such as Microsoft Sway, Canva, and Adobe Spark. You can access all of these programs for free!

See Your Students Through a Parental Lens

Open house is a time for you to disseminate information to parents, but it is just as important for you to glean valuable information about your students from parents. Your students can communicate details like their favorite foods and pastimes, but students don’t always have the emotional maturity or self-reflective skills to articulate who they are and what makes them tick. Thus, it is beneficial to dedicate time for parents to answer questions such as What makes your student angry? and What are your student’s strengths, weaknesses, and passions? A creative way to do this is to have parents complete a quick body biography about their student. Keep this information handy throughout the year so that you can reference it as needed – like when dealing with a difficult student.

Station Rotations

It’s no secret that teachers love a productive, well-organized station rotation. What’s not to love about differentiation, movement, and multi-skill practice all rolled into one? We like stations because they are effective, and this effectiveness applies to open house as well. Set up stations around the classroom that cover pertinent information and give parents a “road map” to help them navigate the stations. You will, of course, have your typical and necessary stations like curriculum information and contact information, but including more unconventional stations like a simple game or photo booth will make your open house all the more engaging. I also strongly suggest a “Frequently Asked Questions” station – work harder and not smarter by proactively answering those questions that you anticipate from several parents.

Capturing Contact Information

Speaking of contact information – it pays to be specific in how you obtain this information during open house. Even though phone numbers and email addresses are typically available through school data platforms, collect this information again in case there are any changes. Perhaps the most valuable contact information is how parents should be contacted. Include questions about what methods and times are best to reach the parent.

Furthermore, it is highly beneficial to collect contact information digitally if you can. Google forms are easy to create and use, and Google stores the responses for you. Have a laptop or computer available for parents to submit their contact information, but also have a QR code and web address handy for parents who are able to complete the information on their smartphones.

Technology Crash Course

Even the least technology-savvy teacher must possess basic knowledge of educational technology in order to teach in today’s classrooms. With that being said, many of our students’ parents were students during a time when technology was far less prevalent in schools, and they may need your help keeping up with the technology you implement in your classroom. Apps like Class Dojo have revolutionized the way that we bridge the gap between home and school, but parents must know how to use them in order for them to be successful. During open house, take time to walk parents through the technology they can use at home to support their students. Offering brief instructional guides with visuals to take home will be very helpful as well.

Include Your Students

Last but certainly not least, include your students as active participants in open house. If you have identified classroom ambassadors, assign them roles to assist. Your students are experts on how your classroom runs, and it boosts confidence and unity when you include them. This is also a great way to focus on the true purpose of open house and everything else we do – to support student success.

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Take Advantage of Free School Supplies

When it’s back-to-school time, businesses and non-profit organizations often hold events where teachers can receive free school supplies. Do some research to find out when and where free supplies are available for educators in your area and take advantage of these events. There are also fundraising websites like Donors Choose where you can raise money for supplies and technology. Teachers all over the country have received donations from businesses and individuals who want to support education through these websites.

Reuse Supplies

This may sound simple, but it is impactful. Use supplies until they’re gone, not until the year is done. Secure the caps on those precious glue sticks at the end of the year and use them up in the fall. When students leave unclaimed supplies behind in May or June, add them to your class supply stockpile in August or September. Finally, when little Johnny moves to a new school after just four entries in his interactive notebook, rip those few pages out and reuse the notebook.

Buy in Bulk

Retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco thrive off one simple truth – buying in bulk saves money. This is true for school supplies as well. There are some supplies that you anticipate needing plenty of, so shop smart by purchasing these supplies in bulk. Instead of buying 20 packs of crayons, purchase a Crayola Classpack. We all know that glue sticks go fast, so purchase them in larger quantities. Buying in bulk may mean more money on the front end, but it saves you money in the long run.

Shop at Thrift Stores

When shopping for pencils and crayons, the thrift store is likely not your default place to shop. The reality is that thrift stores receive all kinds of things, and school supplies are no exception. Check thrift stores for supplies like binders and pencil sharpeners, and especially for classroom furniture and organizers.

Solicit Donations from Businesses

Businesses that use office supplies sometimes have new and gently used supplies to spare. Many have been known to throw out perfectly good binders, file folders, etc., because they have served their purpose within the company (I know, the horror!). Write a brief letter to a local business or other business that you have a connection to and request a donation of any unwanted supplies.

Make Trash Your Treasure

Teachers have a knack for finding the usefulness in things, even when they seem disposable. Things that people may throw away, like glass jars, cans, egg cartons, and wire hangers, just to name a few, can be repurposed in your classroom. Embrace your inner teacher nerd and collect these items from your family and friends when possible.

Pursue the Freebies First

Hold off on going to the stores until you have exhausted your list of free and donated supply options. I know the sales are tempting, but free is the most cost-effective option. This might mean waiting until the first week of school to see what the families in your classroom provide. If you can fight the retail temptation long enough, you’ll spend less money in the end.

Buy After Back-to-School Season

Once school is in session and parents have purchased their supplies, most stores offer huge discounts in an effort to purge excess school supplies. Shopping shortly after back-to-school season will save you quite a bit of money. Indubitably and understandably, you want to start the year with all the supplies you need. This option allows you to plan ahead for supplies you need more of throughout the year and next year.

As teachers, we are an anomaly: professionals who fund their profession. When a teacher inevitably pays out-of-pocket for supplies, it is important to spend money wisely and effectively. The key is to shop smart and use your resources.

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Preparing for Back to School Night

Before an open house, you must plan ahead of time. Think about a creative and engaging way to get your parents to attend. While most school districts send out invitations, think about creating a more personalized one that will draw parents to want to come to the event. Next, consider how you will make the night welcoming. Will you put up decorations? Have a class scavenger hunt? Other things to consider are how you will address parents, give an overview of things to come, showcase students’ work, talk about your educational philosophy, and how you will keep the lines of communication open with parents.

Addressing Parents

The purpose of back-to-school night is to inform parents of what they can expect in your classroom. It is also a time to introduce yourself to the families and let them get to know you better. You can address parents in an informative manner while allowing them to get to know your personality by creating a presentation that is unique to you. For example, if you are exceptionally good at technology, you can create a presentation using the smart board, PowerPoint, iMovie or any digital tools that will captivate your audience and showcase your technological skills. If you are an artist, you can create a presentation that showcases your artsy side, or if you are more musical, you can create a presentation that involves music. The key to finding a way to address parents that will not only inform them but also showcase your personality at the same time.

What to Include in Your Presentation

Once you have thought about how you will present information to the families, you need to think about what you want to include in your presentation. Here are a few ideas.

Talking About Yourself / Educational Philosophy

Some teachers like to show family photos or talk about why they decided to become a teacher. When you do this, it shows parents you’re willing to share and reveal a more personal side, which is a great way to connect with others. It’s also a great time to share your educational philosophy with parents. You do not need to get into your entire teaching philosophy, but you can go over a few important highlights of what you think is essential in a classroom.

Giving an Overview

In addition to telling families a little bit about yourself, you can also provide an overview of what you have planned for the school year. Spend a few minutes talking about the topics you will cover, the projects students will partake in, and the field trips students will attend. If you are also giving out a handout, this is a great time to do so, so the parent can refer to it as you are speaking.

Showcasing Student Work

Traditionally, back-to-school night is a few weeks after school has begun, which means you will have gotten to know your students pretty well and can showcase some of their work. You can do this by displaying students’ work around the classroom and in the hallways, as well as providing parents with one or two pieces of their best assignments to take home. Many teachers encourage parents to keep these pieces and have their children compare them to their work at the end of the school year, which is a great teaching tool for students to see how far they’ve grown throughout the year.

Keeping Parents Informed

Lastly, provide parents with a variety of different ways that they can stay informed. Apps like Remind, Class Dojo, GroupMe, and Parent Square are all useful tech tools to keep the lines of communication open with parents. Providing a weekly newsletter, having a classroom website, and sharing a nightly student take-home folder are also all great ways to keep parents informed. In addition to these options, provide parents with set times of the day and week where they can connect with you via text, email, or over the phone if they have any questions or concerns.

Making it Memorable

Back-to-school night should be a night to remember. While it’s unnecessary to go over the top, it is necessary to make it unique. Think of a fun, high-interest activity for families to do together, such as a classroom scavenger hunt, a getting-to-know-you survey, or having each attendee in the family write something special about the student who is going to be in the classroom. Make it unique so families will be excited for the year to come.

To successfully get through back-to-school night, all you have to do is show up, be yourself, and provide families with a welcoming, easy-to-understand, informative presentation. While you can’t fit everything into one performance, you can start the school year off with a general overview that gives families enough information to know their child will have a great upcoming school year.

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Implement All Components of a Great STEM Lesson

There are six characteristics that make up a great STEM lesson. Ideally, every STEM lesson should have each of the following components. Use these as a guideline to help you create your lesson. STEM lessons should:

1. Focus on real-world issues
2. Be guided by the engineering design process
3. Be hands-on
4. Promote collaboration
5. Apply math and science concepts
6. Have multiple correct solutions

Ensure You’re Crafting an Effective Lesson

When designing your back-to-school STEM lesson, there are a few questions that you can ask yourself to ensure that you’re crafting an effective lesson. Here are a few questions to ponder.

• Does this lesson identify a current real-world problem?

Your goal is to entice students with a real issue that they’ll want to learn more about and find a solution for. Think about current issues you’re having in school or your community and use these to attract students.

• Will the students be able to relate to this issue?

Choose an issue that you think your students are concerned about. The more they are able to relate to the issue, the more they’ll be invested in finding a solution.

• Does this issue have multiple correct solutions?

The key to an effective STEM lesson is that it must have various correct solutions. Students should be able to use their higher-order thinking skills to come up with different solutions that would all work effectively to solve the same problem.

Utilize Technology

Technology is another important component of a great STEM lesson. Students need to utilize technology in appropriate ways to help them throughout their quest to find an answer. Think about how your students can use it to help them in their research or as part of their design.

Planning for a back to school STEM lesson will help ensure that students have the skills and knowledge to partake in STEM lessons throughout the school year. Also, it’s important to remember that in an effective STEM learning environment, students may fail to solve their problem. Failure is OK, because students will learn from their mistakes and try again. Consider it a step in the right direction to discovering a new correct solution to the problem.

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Back-to-School Tips for Anxiety

Research shows that anxiety in women is more prevalent than in men, and with the teaching profession mostly made up of women, there is a greater risk that anxiety can affect teachers. If you or a colleague you know suffers from anxiety, don’t let it steal your desire to teach. Read and share the following tips from veteran teachers to help you beat those back-to-school blues.

Get Daily Exercise

If you are not an active person and you have anxiety, you may want to rethink your daily schedule and incorporate some exercise into it. Numerous studies have shown that physically active people have a lower risk of developing anxiety and depression than people who are not active. In fact, people who work out as little as once a week tend to be happier than people who don’t work out at all. When you exercise, it boosts your serotonin, which is a feel-good chemical inside your brain that helps to ease anxiety and stress.

Do Something You Love

Take the time to invest in yourself and do something that you love to do. Back-to-school time can be very chaotic, and with so many tasks on your to-do list, it’s easy to forget about yourself. Instead of spending all of your free time on completing your tasks, take time for yourself. If you love to go to a workout class, then be sure to schedule it on your calendar. When you make it a point to physically schedule in time for yourself, you’re more apt to go and do it.

Get Social

Do not isolate yourself. The last thing you want to do when you have anxiety is to keep to yourself. While it’s perfectly natural to want to be alone when you’re not feeling yourself, it will not do you any good. Get out and get social, even if you aren’t in the mood. If you’re the type of teacher that likes to eat in your classroom, don’t; instead go to the teachers’ lounge and get to know your colleagues. Make an effort to meet your friends and vent about what’s bothering you or Facetime a friend and discuss your feelings. Sometimes all you need is a friend’s shoulder to lean on when you’re going through a tough time.

Establish a Routine

Teachers who have lived with anxiety say that it’s best to establish a routine if you want to beat anxiety or those back-to-school blues. Routines help with anxiety, because when you stick to a regular schedule, you won’t feel overworked or overwhelmed. Set a schedule that works for you and that you know that you can stick to. For example, if you know that going to bed late means feeling groggy and having headaches the next day, then create a routine where you go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Or, if you know that staying late at work means not spending time with your family, create a routine where you only stay late once a week. Establishing a routine helps you be prepared both mentally and physically for the day. When you know what to expect, you’ll feel less stressed, which means having less anxiety.

Prioritize Your Health

Like it or not, your health plays a pivotal role in the way that you feel. When you don’t take the time to take care of yourself both mentally and physically, then there’s a good chance that you can develop anxiety or depression. Take time to make your health a priority. If you feel overworked, then take a mental health day to get yourself back on track. Listen to your mind and body. If it’s saying I’m tired and stressed and need a break, then take it.

Back-to-school anxiety is not something to just blow off and tell yourself that it will go away once you settle into the school year. In fact, some teachers say that if you don’t take steps right away to feel better, your anxiety will just worsen. When you hear that internal voice screaming that you don’t feel yourself, listen to it and take the steps mentioned above to do something about it – you will be happy you did.

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Back-to-School Digital Photo Collage

A fun and creative way for students to get to know one another is to make a digital collage about themselves. Students can use the free websites Be Funky or Fotor to create a collage about all of things they’d like to share about themselves. Students can choose different templates as well as the amount of photos they’d like to add to their collage. If they choose to use the Be Funky website, they can even add graphics or shapes to their creation. When students are finished creating their projects, they can print them out and hang them on the wall so their classmates can get to know them better.

Student Video Introduction

Instead of making your shy students build up the courage to go in front of the classroom and introduce themselves to their classmates, try moving them into the 21^st century and allow them to make a video introduction. There are a few ways that you can do this. Younger students can use Voki to create an avatar – a character that represents themselves. Once they create the avatar, they can use it to share something special about themselves. Older students can create a short video clip using a website or app like Vimeo or Green Screen. If students use the Green Screen app, they can place themselves in any destination they want so classmates can get a clear image of where they traveled over summer break or where their favorite place to be is. Both options, creating avatars and short video clips, are fun, creative ways to share information about yourself.

Creating QR Code Self Portraits

QR codes have become quite the trend in education these days. These little black and white or colored scrambled square boxes that companies use as marketing tools (some even incorporate them into their corporate logos) have moved into today’s classrooms. Teachers love them because they are easy for students to create and students love them because it makes learning fun. Here’s how they work. QR codes, or “quick response codes,” act as a shortcut to a web link. When you scan the code with your smartphone, it takes you directly to a specific webpage. Teachers can use this fun digital tool as a way for students to get to know one another during the first week of school. Students simply create a webpage about themselves then use a website like Kaywa to make a QR code to attach to a photograph or portrait of themselves. Once the photographs or portraits are hung in the hallway, classmates can scan the codes on the pictures to learn more about each classmate.

Digital Slideshow

Another fun classroom activity to help break the ice and allow students to get to know one another better is to have students use an app like Video shop or a website like Photo Peach to create a slideshow about themselves. Students can upload images and add music or sound effects to create a slideshow that represents themselves and showcases their personality. Students will love this activity, because it allows them to use their creativity and digital skills to show off their individuality, while teachers will love how easy it is for students to be able to complete this task on their own.

Personalize It

Social media has become a staple in everyday life, and for younger students who are not old enough to use it just yet, creating a “fake” profile page can be a very exciting way to start the school year off. Class Tools is a website that allows users to create a “fake” Facebook page. Students simply create a profile page where they can add friends, favorite movies, books, video games or anything else they’d like to share. When they’re done they can even print it out to share with their classmates.

Another fun way for students to showcase themselves digitally is to use the website Thing Link to create an interactive photograph of themselves. All students have to do for this icebreaker activity is upload a photo of themselves, then create links to other photos or videos that they would like to share, like their favorite music video or vacation spot.

First-week jitters can make back-to-school time challenging for students, so instead of using your usual go-to classroom icebreakers, try these digital getting-to-know you activities to help students get to know one another a little bit better.

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Tip #1 – Get to Know Students

The number one best way to manage your students is to get to know them better. Knowing their personalities, interests, and how they like to learn will all help you structure your classroom and keep students from misbehaving. When you know your students on a deeper level, it’ll be easier for you manage them. Try the 3 x 10 strategy, where you take three minutes a day for 10 consecutive days to meet with individual students and get to know them better. The idea behind this strategy is that by the end of the 10 days, you will have developed a bond with the student. When you have good student-teacher relationships and students trust you, managing your classroom will be much easier. Building positive relationships takes time, and it’s something that you’ll have to continue throughout the school year.

Tip #2 – Assign Classroom Jobs

Assigning your students a classroom job in the beginning of the school year has many benefits. First, it’s a great way to teach your students responsibility. Second, it keeps your classroom clean and organized. Third, it helps your classroom run smoothly when everyone knows what is expected of them. They key to making this system work is consistency. You must maintain your system to keep order in the classroom. An easy way to do this is by rotating classroom jobs each week so that all students are happy. If one student hates the job they get one week, they’ll be able to start a new one the next week.

Tip # 3 – Create Classroom Expectations Together As a Class

Creating expectations as a class versus designing them yourself is a great way to get students to follow the rules, because they had a hand in creating them. If you want to have a say in the rules, but also want the students to feel as if they’ve thought of them themselves, then you can “nudge” them in your direction. Have a classroom brainstorming session where students are allowed to express ideas of classroom rules and expectations. You can also share ideas too, then have the class vote on the top five favorites.

Tip #4 – Teach Procedures the Right Way

Another classroom management tip for starting the school year off on a good note is to teach procedures in a way that your students will understand them. A procedure is meant to explain something that you want done in the way that you want it done. However, sometimes teachers assume that their students understand what they have asked for, when in actuality the students really have no idea. Do not assume your students understand what you are asking of them – you need to physically show them. If you have a procedure for how you want students to hand in their homework, show them yourself, then ask them to show you what they saw you do. This will not only cement the procedure into their brains, but it will show you that they are comprehending the procedure and know what to do. Once this has happened, then you must have students practice the procedure over and over again. The more they practice it, the quicker they’ll be able to do it on their own.

Tip # 5 – Always Have Something for Students to Do

If you never want to worry about your classroom getting out of order, you must always have something for your students to do. The first moment that students don’t know what is expected of them, your classroom will turn into chaos. Make a plan for those unexpected moments when your lesson finishes early or during transition periods. Make sure students know what they should be doing before the bell rings in the morning and when school is about to let out. No matter how far out in advance you plan your activities, sometimes things just happen, so it’s important to always have sponge activities or “time fillers” in your back pocket to ensure your students will always be busy.

All of these tips will help to manage your classroom and prevent discipline problems. However, it’s important to note that along with using these tips, you should also remember to not let the little things slide during the first week of school. While you may think that it’s OK because the students are still getting used to the new rules, it’s not OK. When you let things go (whispering, talking out of turn, getting up without asking), then you’re not reinforcing your rules, and these little infractions can turn into bigger infractions down the road.

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