Teaching is a challenging profession, with the past few years being increasingly difficult. However, there are resources and routines to help make the job a little easier. Here are 24 of them:
1. Google Classroom: A free online platform that helps teachers organize assignments, communicate with students, and save time with grading.
2. Edmodo: A social learning platform where teachers can connect with students, parents, and other educators to share resources and support each other.
3. Kahoot!: An online gaming platform that allows teachers to create quizzes, activities, and surveys to engage students in learning.
4. Flipgrid: A video discussion platform that enables teachers to create interactive learning experiences through short video responses.
5. Edpuzzle: Teachers can create interactive video lessons by adding questions, comments, and notes to any online video.
6. Quizlet: A tool for creating flashcards, quizzes, games, and other study materials to help students learn and review concepts.
7. Padlet: A virtual bulletin board that allows students and teachers to collaborate on projects in real-time.
8. Seesaw: An online portfolio system where students can showcase their work, allowing teachers and parents to track progress easily.
9. Task boards: Implementing an organized task board in the classroom helps keep track of assignments and activities.
10. Mindful moments: Integrate daily mindfulness exercises in class to help reduce student stress levels and improve focus.
11. Digital lesson planning tools: Save time with digital lesson planning tools like Planbook or Common Curriculum.
12. Morning meetings: Start the day with a short meeting to review objectives, discuss expectations, and foster community among the students.
13. Quiet signals: Establish quiet signals like raising hands or using visual cues for an organized classroom environment while maintaining student engagement.
14. Breakout sessions: Split students into small groups for discussions, allowing them to work closely with their peers on various subjects.
15. Classroom jobs: Assign students roles in the classroom, like note-taker or assistant, to develop a sense of responsibility and belonging.
16. Incorporate movement: Integrate stretches or short physical activities throughout the day to maintain student energy levels and focus.
17. Reflection journals: Encourage students to keep daily reflection journals, improving their self-awareness and communication skills.
18. Time management techniques: Teach students effective time management strategies like the Pomodoro Technique to help them stay on task.
19. Social-emotional learning (SEL) activities: Incorporate SEL lessons to help students learn empathy, resilience, and effective communication.
20. Professional learning communities (PLCs): Join online or local PLCs to connect with other teachers and share resources, ideas, and support.
21. Personalized PD: Seek professional development opportunities tailored to your specific needs as an educator.
22. Restorative practices: Adopt restorative practices in your classroom to help build positive relationships and address conflict effectively.
23. Weekly check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with students, either one-on-one or in small groups, to discuss their academic progress and personal well-being.
24. Self-care routines: Build self-care routines into your schedule as a teacher – exercise regularly, practice mindfulness, seek peer support, and carve out time for relaxation.
Incorporating these 24 resources and routines will not only help make teaching more manageable but also enhance student engagement and overall well-being in the classroom.
