Here’s your first week of middle or high school, all planned out ..read more

Nothing says “the first day of school is almost here” quite like decking the walls and halls of your classroom! Creative and inspiring back-to-school bulletin boards are one of the most effective ways to set the tone for a positive and engaging learning environment. If you’re staring at blank walls and not sure what to fill them with (or are in need of new ideas), never fear: the TPT community has plenty of back-to-school bulletin board ideas to inspire you and your students. 8 Creative Back-to-School Bulletin Boards for Your Classroom These back-to-school bulletin board ideas from teachers ca ..read more

Back to school brings promises of fresh starts, refreshed classroom decor, and a new beginning with students. Not only is it a time to go over classroom rules and set expectations for student behavior, but it’s also an opportunity to start building relationships and fostering a positive classroom environment. The first week of school is an important time to set the foundation for students to feel safe and comfortable with each other and with you. This may sound like a large responsibility to add to your already full plate, but it doesn’t have to be! Simply starting the year off with activities ..read more

Whether you’re headed to the classroom for the first or thirtieth time, every teacher has the back-to-school planning jitters at one point or another. And with so many moving parts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your back-to-school preparations easier — one of which is a good, old-fashioned checklist. If your head is swimming with to-do’s, we’ve got you covered. Follow this comprehensive back-to-school planning checklist to set your mind at ease, and to make sure you’ve got everything prepped and in place before your students arrive. Your Comprehensive ..read more

Anyone who works in education knows: every student learns differently. It’s why educators take special care at the start of every year to set up their classrooms in a way that supports the needs of all their learners. Creating sensory-friendly spaces is just one step toward building inclusive and supportive environments where all students — and particularly, those with sensory processing challenges, like autistic students or students with ADHD — can thrive. Although it may seem small, everything about your classroom design, from the wall displays to the lighting, can make a difference in stude ..read more

A new school year means a new classroom — or a chance to give your current set-up a refresh! How you set up your room can help you stay organized, make expectations clear to students, and create a comfortable and exciting learning environment for your class. In fact, being purposeful with classroom decor choices can help support student growth and truly deepen learning experiences. Whether you’re looking for new ways to decorate your classroom this year or searching for something you can use year after year, get your space back-to-school ready with these easy bulletin board ideas and classroom ..read more

Looking for summer learning activities for PreK-5? Check out our blog post here. You’ve heard it plenty of times before: learning shouldn’t stop because it is summertime. In fact, summer is a great time to practice and strengthen many of the skills students have learned the previous year because there is less pressure. To help keep the learning going, we’ve compiled a list of fun summer learning activities for middle school and high school students that they can do during summer break. It doesn’t matter if you are teaching summer school or extended school year, at home with your own teen, or e ..read more

Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth takes place every year on June 19th in commemoration of the day in 1865 when news of federal orders freeing all previously enslaved peoples — issued nearly three years earlier in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 — finally reached Black Americans in Galveston, Texas. It’s an important day in American history, and it has grown in notoriety over recent years as more and more people learn about its significance. As of June 2021, Juneteenth is officially a U.S. federal holiday. If you’re wondering how to teach about this day, check out these Juneteenth act ..read more

Career education has always been an important part of the high school curriculum — especially since students’ understanding of potential career paths can drastically affect the decisions they make. It’s one of the reasons why high school (and increasingly middle school!) is the prime time for educators to educate students about potential pathways after graduation. Keep reading for meaningful career exploration activities that will help students discover their interests, skills, and passions, and guide them towards fulfilling and successful careers and occupations. Career Exploration Activities ..read more

Hooray, you’ve made it to the end of the school year! With all testing and grading out of the way, it’s time to think about planning some fun last-day-of-school activities. The final days of school are a time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments, celebrate, and say goodbyes. Make your last day together extra special with one of these fun activities that are sure to send your students off to summer vacation with a smile on their faces. Fun Last-Day-of-School Activities to Kick off Summer Break Here are some engaging last-day-of-school activities you can consider adding to your repertoire. W ..read more