 In the newest episode of “To Teach or Not to Teach,” we are joined by culture and climate expert Steve Bollar. Meg and I have worked closely with Stand Tall Steve, and he is the perfect person to bring into the conversation when it comes to building a positive community and relationships. Climate refers to the immediate atmosphere within a school or organization—how it feels daily, shaped by attitudes, behaviors, and interactions. On the other hand, culture is the deeper, enduring set of values, beliefs, and norms that guide and influence how people within the organization work together and approach challenges. Together, climate and culture determine the overall health, success, and productivity of the environment, directly impacting everyone involved. Unfortunately, climate and culture often take a back seat when getting ready for the school year to start. There is a long checklist of compliance aspects of our jobs, articulation meetings, and required pieces of training. (We see you blood-borne pathogens.) Whether you have started school like us or your first day is this week, teachers and administrators know the importance of building the community and relationships within the classroom. But what is being done to build the excitement and climate in your district? Do you have a plan for enough fuel to last the year? Try these helpful tips for active engagement from all stakeholders to get everyone involved!  Pick a theme! Select a theme that embodies what your school respects and values that can flow from the classroom level, the whole building, or even the entire district! If you need a list of possible themes, contact Steve at [email protected]. This will set the tone and the direction for the year. Ideally, selecting the theme should happen at the end of the school year for the following year. (Don’t worry! There’s still time and opportunities to start and incorporate a theme.) By announcing the theme at the end of the year, you are creating excitement for the following year. Students will already know the year's theme and tone, walking into the building on the first day with a sense of community and belonging. Teachers will have time to let the theme marinate over the summer months and have the mental capacity to have some creative ideas for their classrooms and lessons. Welcome new staffulty! As your staffulty of teachers evolves, a theme is an opportunity to bring them into their new position, building, or district with a sense of belonging. Administrators, you can discuss the theme during summer interviews! When you offer the new staff member a job, incorporate the theme into their welcome letter or that first phone call to tell them they were selected to join the team! New staff will begin with an invitation to join the community. Veteran teachers will join in on the fun! Not all veteran teachers are shaking their keys at staff meetings, signaling it is time to wrap it up. Many veteran teachers look forward to ideas to shake up school norms each day. A theme will bring new life to the year for lessons, units of instruction, bulletin boards, and more!
Let the seniors steer the way! Giving your seniors a voice in the theme is a game changer. Allowing the next graduating class time to brainstorm and collaborate ideas among their rising classmates provides a massive sense of community. We all know seniors want anything and everything to have their graduation year on any swag. The rising classes will look forward to their chance to contribute in the future. Include ALL staffulty! There are teams or groups of your staff that need to be included in the community. Every person in your building should be included in the community and theme, from support staff to custodial teams, substitutes, and food service employees. If you need help purchasing more T-shirts to include others, ask for sponsorships from community businesses or outsourced service organizations. Bring in the parents! Parents will love the opportunity to participate in your theme. Proud parents in the community want swag, too! Get more t-shirts printed to have them for sale at Back to School Night, Open House, parent-teacher conferences, sporting events, award ceremonies, or any other time! Get out your calendar! Purposeful action is needed to keep the theme going. Set dates in your calendar to revisit or celebrate the theme. From the morning announcements to spirit days, reinforce the theme to keep it thriving! Don’t forget to recognize students and staff who are great examples of the message you have set forth. Brand your theme! Create a logo and a color scheme. Include the theme on every announcement sent home, calendar, reminder, email signature, newsletter, or even homework! Keep your theme alive all year long. It’s never too late to start a theme! You can start a theme anytime after a long break, a semester, a new month, or any other time that works for you and your organization. Meg and I focus on purposeful actions and activities to build our classroom community. By incorporating a theme, you are creating a safe space for your staff and students. We all know that once students or staff feel safe and included, the real learning begins. Do you have a theme for the year? Be sure to tell us all about it! Do you have another way to incorporate a theme you want to share? Post it in the comments!
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 It’s the first day of school, and you have a choice. Are you going to be the teacher from Charlie Brown? Or will you be the teacher where kids can’t wait to return tomorrow? Parents and teachers alike know how the conversation typically goes when children come home from the first day of school. You ask probing questions, and you get one-word answers in return. Imagine your students turbo-talking about their first day the moment they see their families. Meg and I are passionate about improving the learning experience for students and teachers. Making small changes in your thinking can impact your classroom exponentially. We’re here to show you how to grow your repertoire! Ditch the rules, syllabus, and curriculum the first days. We sign your permission slip to have fun on the first day of school! Not only will you enjoy starting the year, but you will observe your students through a new lens. Your first goal is to start building the climate and culture of your classroom by building connections, inviting engagement, and creating a safe space for learning. Elementary, middle, and high school teachers- try one of these ideas the first week. Remember, big kids are still kids, too. 1. Snowball Whether from the excitement of the first day or the end of summer heat, use this ‘ice breaker’ to have a snowball fight! That’s right! It is so simple. First, provide the students with a plain piece of paper. Ask them to write three specific facts about themselves independently. Give them some non-examples so they know just what to write. When everyone finishes, tell them to crumple up their papers. Then yell, “SNOWBALL FIGHT!” Get the snowball fight started with your own list. When everyone has thrown their paper, students will need to pick up a random crumpled paper. (If by chance they pick up their own, tell them to crumple it back up and pick a different snowball.) Students will then have to guess which student their paper belonged to! It’s not just a fun game. This activity will break the ice, but you can observe with a new lens who is the first to raise their hand, take turns, penmanship and pencil grips, speaking and listening skills, and interactions with others. Be sure to be a part of the conversation by taking guesses. You can take this activity to a new level by including where the recycling bin is located, how you call groups to take turns, and the importance of cleaning up our learning spaces. Have a mini science lesson with mass and gravity. Look at how a blank piece of paper can change the climate and culture of your classroom! Adding any kind of physical movement brings more engagement to your lessons. 2. I Dough-Not Know About YouGetting to know your students through different learning pathways is so essential. This activity includes art! Prepare a slide deck with various questions. Students will use playdough to create and build their answers. What an excellent opportunity to chat with students while they build! You will see smiles for sure! But do you know what else you will see? You can step back and watch fine motor skills, interactions with others in their groups, and the treatment of exciting classroom materials. Be sure to spend time circulating the room to converse with the students about their builds. You will learn so much more about them than an ‘All About Me’ worksheet. Creating a space for learning that accepts creative risks and efforts will allow the students to learn and grow in new ways. You can incorporate your classroom procedures for passing out or collecting materials and cleaning up after your new engaging lessons. 3. Beautiful HandsNo matter the age, students enjoy listening to their teacher read aloud to them. We came across this book titled Beautiful Hands. Read the book aloud or use a video! Challenge students to identify a unique word to describe one of their academic or personal goals. Students can choose the color paint for their handprint on a poster or individual paper to create a class bulletin board. Have them write their word next to their name! Like the book, allow them to be creative with their hands or fingerprints. You will create a beautiful classroom or hallway display that the students can see each and every day. Be sure to celebrate a goal achieved! Want to take this activity to the next level? Ask your maintenance staff for a pack of ceiling tiles. Students will undoubtedly come back to visit you and their handprints.  4. Reader’s TheatreSo you’re feeling the pressure to pull in some academics but still want to keep it light and continue the relationship-building for both you and the students? Why not try a Reader’s Theatre? Reader’s Theater utilizes scripts (just like a play or film) to deliver content. No matter what grade or subject area you are teaching, you will be able to find an appropriate script. Depending on your class, you can assign parts through volunteers or pull popsicle sticks. Ensure everyone has a way to participate and a copy for each student. Encourage students to bring the words to life through their performances! Props, music, backdrops, and silly voices galore! What an exciting way to observe students’ fluency, comprehension, understanding of vocabulary, and speaking and listening skills—all in the first week of school! As the school year progresses, allow students to write their own content-based scripts (science, social studies, or even math), another learning pathway for students to demonstrate mastery. 5. Four CornersWant to see what background knowledge your students have on a particular subject? Play four corners with any multiple-choice question! This game is a free and simple way to review concepts or activate background knowledge that can be utilized for any subject area, any grade, any age. All you need are prepared questions, your students, and four corners. Assign corners or available spaces in the room (A,B,C,D or 1,2,3,4) so students know which direction to go based on their answers. To access all types of learners, prepare a slide deck with the content questions and answers. Has checking for understanding ever been so invigorating and informative?! Feel free to add how you expect participants to move appropriately through the learning space as part of your beginning-of-year procedures. If you typically play games with scores throughout the year, you can give points to students or teams with a discussion on sportsmanship. So, which teacher is starting the school year? Is it the wah-wah boring rules and syllabus teacher, or an engagement rockstar? Do the kids have their heads on the desk in boredom, or are they building connections with you and their classmates? Did your students have so much to say about the first week of school because you took the time to create the climate and culture of your room? Only you know the answer. We want to hear from you if you try even one of these ideas! Be sure to tell us all about it. Do you have a favorite strategy you are willing to share? Post it in the comments!
Listen or Watch the Vodcast that pairs with this blog on our TNT channel or our podcast. It's that time of the year again – Teacher Appreciation Week is almost here! 🎉 As educators, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we're on and the profound impact we have on the lives of our students. Think about it: we're not just teachers; we're superheroes in disguise! Every day, we step into our classrooms ready to inspire, support, and empower our students. Whether it's teaching them the fundamentals of reading or advanced calculus (yes, even that! 😉), we're there, giving our all to make learning an adventure and help our students be successful. In a world that's constantly changing, we're the steady anchors guiding our students through the ups and downs of life. We're not just imparting knowledge; we're shaping the minds and hearts of future leaders, thinkers, and innovators. And that's no small feat! But here's the thing: sometimes, we forget to pat ourselves on the back. We're so focused on giving our students the best possible education that we forget to take a moment to appreciate ourselves. That's why Teacher Appreciation Week is so important. It's a reminder to us – yes, us! – that our hard work, dedication, and passion are truly appreciated. We also want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing educators surrounding us. Our teammates, colleagues, mentor teachers, administrators, also need to be shown how much they are appreciated, not only by the students, but by us! As teacher appreciation week quickly approaches, we have collected 6 different ways that you could show appreciation to the teachers in your life! Whether they are coworkers, teammates, a past teacher, or your child’s teacher, these ideas will resonate with every educator. 1. Just Tell Them!This is free, although sometimes not easy. One of the very best ways to show your appreciation to a teacher is to simply tell them. Your kind words and the time taken to speak with them will mean so much. 2. Handwritten Notes/Cards
3. Unique Bouquets
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 | When someone takes the time, no matter the age, to create something for someone else, thinking specifically of that person, that truly shows deep appreciation and gratitude. |
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, let's remember the incredible impact we have on the lives of our students and take pride in the amazing work we do every single day.
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." – Henry B. Adams
As teacher appreciation week approaches, that also means the end of the school year is near and preparations for a new school year begin! Throughout the current year were you feeling overwhelmed with tasks, underwhelmed with the curriculum, and wondering if there is a better way to reach your students? We are here to tell you there is! Be sure to check out the IntegratED Cohort, where we show you how to innovate your curriculum, bring engagement to your students, and you can instruct without feeling overwhelmed and over burdened.
Be sure to sign up today for the 2024 - 2025 school year!
Limited spots available!
Be sure to sign up today for the 2024 - 2025 school year!
Limited spots available!
Are you looking for more than virtual professional development? IntegratED has multiple PD opportunities perfect for any school or district looking to improve student engagement and student growth.
TNT Vodcast: Teacher Impact
This is a busy time of year for all…TESTING! To some of you, this word might be a drag. Even when you hear the word you cringe, unfortunately, it’s our reality. There is no way to dodge it so if you can’t beat it, jump on that train and ride along for an adventure. We’re here to assist you in the process and hope you find our “tips and tricks” helpful. TOGETHER, we will help YOU divide and conquer testing forever!
Before Testing
Why are we stressing about areas in education that we can’t control? Take a deep breath, you’ve got this! How do we prepare before a test?
- Create student-led inspirational quotes that cover your old anchor charts
- Form individual goals by conferring one-on-one with your student.
- Negotiate a field trip/special incentive class-wide
- Practice a positive mindset
- Model test-taking strategies so that they can persevere
- Plan with a purpose
We’re just looking for growth. Just looking for one point of improvement.”
During Testing
After the last handful of years, testing has become a bit of a dirty word in education. Estimates are that between 40 and 60 percent of students have significant test anxiety that interferes with performing up to their capability. How can we help this?
BRAIN BREAKS: Implementing brain breaks during testing can make all the difference in the world when it comes to stress levels and the achievement of our students.
- Allow your students to stand up!
- Deep breathing techniques
- Let your students move!
- Small Koosh ball (busy hands)
- Fidget bands (busy feet)
- Peppermints!
After Testing
Studies show that kids test better in the morning. Get your testing done early on in the day while their brains are fresh and plan your evening with a purpose. Your students have been sitting all morning. When you get them back don’t make them sit more! Plan to have hands-on activities for them. Plan to have movement breaks all afternoon and try to refrain from sitting. Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!
- Create with arts and crafts
- Explore with project-based learning
- Produce energy with movement and music
- Provide a safe environment to relax
“It’s important to know what your students need individually to perform at their highest level.”
In the end, administering a test can be stressful, and there is no magic wand to wave when it comes to preparing your students. Actively prepare them all year and build them up; the magic in the room comes from the reassurance of the teacher. All you have to say is, “I’ve seen you work your tail off this school year, it’s your time to show the world what I get to see every day. I am so proud of you.”
Be their inspiration, be their safe place, be their celebration!
Imagine being a child in 2nd grade, and your passionate teacher is reading, The One and Only Ivan by Applegate.K., out loud to your class. Your classmates surround you and every student has a copy of the book in their hands. Untouched, unscathed, unblemished… You crack the cover open to this brand new book and your boisterous teacher hands you all a pencil and says, “Friends, we’re not going to just read this book, nor are these books mine. You're holding in your hands your own sacred copy of “The One and Only Ivan!” Students gasp! “Also, that magical pencil in your hand is going to be writing all over in your book too! Students gasp louder! “Remember class, good readers ask questions and think about their thinking. Anytime you have a thought, or see a line filled with figurative language… ANNOTATE!”
Reaching standards, engaging your students, and modeling for them firsthand… This is confronting the norm, this is challenging the norm, and this is definitely disrupting the norm! GOOD. GREAT. GRAND. We love it that way.
Reaching standards, engaging your students, and modeling for them firsthand… This is confronting the norm, this is challenging the norm, and this is definitely disrupting the norm! GOOD. GREAT. GRAND. We love it that way.
“You must make a disturbance to make a change,” -IntegratED
How do we make a difference? How do we change? How do we script and not follow the script?
THE MINDSET…
THE MINDSET…
- Your mindset when planning.
- Your mindset on what you want to bring to education… EVERYDAY!
- Your mindset with teaching and the relationships you build with students!
- Your mindset when you think outside of the box but the lesson doesn't go the way it was supposed to. How do you respond?
“You must have a positive/growth mindset and you must do it all with a purpose.”
| Purposeful planning leads to purposeful teaching. When you smack the two of them together you gain solid relationships, extreme academic growth, and confidence will flourish inside your classroom. The IntegratED model will help bring your classroom back to life. “That’s where the gold comes in. We get to pull in our favorite hands-on activities and books. We still use the curriculum that all the other teachers are required to use. We even use district-mandated resources… It just looks different!” |  |
In this profession, we can’t grow stagnant. We have to confront our norms, reflect on our teaching, and make goals to change our classrooms to empower our kids. THE KIDS COME FIRST! Question of the day: How would you learn best? Would you learn best from a teacher following a teacher's manual every single day? “Class, turn to page 28. We are on module 4, lesson 3 today”… ZZZZZZ! Or would you learn best from teachers who backward map, know their standards, and will do anything in their power to get you to learn them?
With the Integrated Framework, we’re able to creatively teach all standards for science/social studies, reading, writing, and math. We integrate them to make one smooth transition to the school day. First, find something you can INTEGRATE into your teaching that’s different from the others. Something that you’re passionate about. BE CREATIVE! You’ll also have to backwards map. Take a microscopic lens to your standards and look at your whole school year in advance for each core subject. Backwards mapping involves setting GOALS and lessons that align with the standards. We collaboratively work together in a magical way that allows us to integrate multiple subjects into a model that is much different than the normal classroom model. “You’re changing it up in the classroom. Your classroom door is open to the world, you’re doing your thing, kids are in the middle of it!”
The beauty of it is, that some of your reluctant students who don’t want to write are writing like future authors. The ones who didn’t want to sit down for math are now being mathematicians, the ones that always go to the bathroom during reading time are finding out that books are interesting and they can’t set their books down! All of a sudden, their bladders can wait just a little bit longer! “Your students are growing, you’re seeing light bulb moments go off all day. When it works, it works… Do it all with a PURPOSE!”
How can you start tomorrow? No more excuses, it’s all right here!
You can get your FREE IntegratED Planner and a copy of our framework that we use to plan OUR IntegratED Units.
You can get your FREE IntegratED Planner and a copy of our framework that we use to plan OUR IntegratED Units.
Be BRAVE. Take RISKS. Be CREATIVE!
Your PURPOSE will help students find theirs!
Your PURPOSE will help students find theirs!
Check out our Vodcast on this topic on our YouTube Channel @toteachornottoteach.
William Shakespeare once said, “to be, or not to be, that is the question. ”Talking with boredom about his life and his purpose. IntegratED says, “to script, or not to script, that is OUR question.” Just let that question soak in a bit… Do you follow the script to the “T”? Are you tired of the same old curriculum and the same outcome year in and year out? Well climb aboard, it’s time to take chances, make mistakes, and get IntegratED!
Curriculum– What is it? When we think of curriculum we think of guided learning. When we think of guided learning we think of forming attainable goals with students, finding engaging resources and content to support students, and taking the appropriate steps to make learning engaging and fun. A curriculum can be powerful! Success in a curriculum comes from knowledge, skills, and a passionate attitude driven by the teacher.
Sometimes when we hear “curriculum” we get a sour taste in our mouths. We immediately think of basal readers and other resources that take all creativity out of the art of teaching. “Day 1, complete page 145. Day 2, complete page… Blah, blah, blah! Do you see what we’re getting at? We as teachers should have a curriculum to follow and standards/goals for students to fully achieve. However, as teachers, we have to pull in other resources and differentiate to fully reach ALL of our students' needs.
This brings us to my next point– Fidelity… Is it bad? In education, the word fidelity gets thrown around a lot. Fidelity in our eyes takes away creativity in the classroom. It abolishes critical thinking skills and oftentimes creates lackluster teachers that have completely lost their passion for teaching. Following the script with fidelity might be an easy way out, however, teaching with fidelity is NOT what is best for kids!
Don’t let the curriculum box you in! What does this mean? Bluntly, this means, don’t be a rule follower if you know what is best for kids. As a teacher, this is your craft! Follow your heart, and drop the script, because your students deserve more! Our instruction should drive growth and student effectiveness, NOT a curriculum.
"Your curriculum is only as good as the person using it"
I know you’re probably thinking, “How do we still use our district-mandated curriculum and reach all our children?” Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, it's called “content-driven instruction!” Creating purposeful lessons collaboratively that reach all of our students as a whole. You must first form a strong relationship with each student in your class. You have to differentiate and bring topics in from the real world to make your students passionate about what they’re learning. Lastly, you need to be able to REFLECT on your teaching. Reflection is a hard thing to do. It sometimes humbles us, but if the kids truly come first in your heart, there is always something you can change, or modify to inspire every student in your classroom.
We’re not telling you the curriculum is bad. We’re not saying to put all the curriculum away. All we’re saying is that you need to modify, change, and inspire! It's time to take ownership of your classroom before your curriculum becomes the owner of you.
Curriculum– What is it? When we think of curriculum we think of guided learning. When we think of guided learning we think of forming attainable goals with students, finding engaging resources and content to support students, and taking the appropriate steps to make learning engaging and fun. A curriculum can be powerful! Success in a curriculum comes from knowledge, skills, and a passionate attitude driven by the teacher.
Sometimes when we hear “curriculum” we get a sour taste in our mouths. We immediately think of basal readers and other resources that take all creativity out of the art of teaching. “Day 1, complete page 145. Day 2, complete page… Blah, blah, blah! Do you see what we’re getting at? We as teachers should have a curriculum to follow and standards/goals for students to fully achieve. However, as teachers, we have to pull in other resources and differentiate to fully reach ALL of our students' needs.
This brings us to my next point– Fidelity… Is it bad? In education, the word fidelity gets thrown around a lot. Fidelity in our eyes takes away creativity in the classroom. It abolishes critical thinking skills and oftentimes creates lackluster teachers that have completely lost their passion for teaching. Following the script with fidelity might be an easy way out, however, teaching with fidelity is NOT what is best for kids!
Don’t let the curriculum box you in! What does this mean? Bluntly, this means, don’t be a rule follower if you know what is best for kids. As a teacher, this is your craft! Follow your heart, and drop the script, because your students deserve more! Our instruction should drive growth and student effectiveness, NOT a curriculum.
"Your curriculum is only as good as the person using it"
I know you’re probably thinking, “How do we still use our district-mandated curriculum and reach all our children?” Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, it's called “content-driven instruction!” Creating purposeful lessons collaboratively that reach all of our students as a whole. You must first form a strong relationship with each student in your class. You have to differentiate and bring topics in from the real world to make your students passionate about what they’re learning. Lastly, you need to be able to REFLECT on your teaching. Reflection is a hard thing to do. It sometimes humbles us, but if the kids truly come first in your heart, there is always something you can change, or modify to inspire every student in your classroom.
We’re not telling you the curriculum is bad. We’re not saying to put all the curriculum away. All we’re saying is that you need to modify, change, and inspire! It's time to take ownership of your classroom before your curriculum becomes the owner of you.
Check out our vodcast "To Script or Not To Script" for more on this topic.
 | Empowering Teachers and Inspiring Learners, Megan and Kara |
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, fostering student engagement is a top priority for educators. To meet the needs of today's learners, educators are constantly seeking innovative instructional strategies that not only capture students' attention but also inspire deep, lasting understanding.
In this article, we will explore five instructional strategies that have emerged as powerful tools in the pursuit of enhanced student engagement. Join us as we share 5 different innovative teaching methods, each designed to ignite curiosity, stimulate critical thinking, and ultimately, empower students to become active participants in their own learning. Whether you're an experienced educator or a curious learner, these strategies hold the promise of transforming education into an engaging, dynamic, and unforgettable adventure.
1. Content Driven Instruction:
 | Lead your units/lessons with science, social studies, or history content to drive instruction while pairing reading and writing standards to the content. By doing this you are providing students with the knowledge, vocabulary, and experiences to become proficient learners. Knowledge is power! Let the content engage your students. |
2. Purposeful Learning Experiences:
| These are hands-on investigations/experiences that drive and enhance the content you are delivering to your students. You want to create learning experiences that are purposeful to the content you are teaching. We are not talking about Pinterest room transformations but simple ways to incorporate experiences that students will remember and give them something to ‘stick’ their knowledge to about the content. |  |
3. Beyond the Box Hooks:
Grab your students' interest and get them excited about the lesson with a hook! These could be:
- Short Video clips: like a venus fly trap, or an octopus escaping a jar
- Unboxing videos/activities: give them clues of what you will be learning
- Unusual photograph
- Investigation: what a better way for students to get to know what they are learning about than by getting to do a hands-on investigation right off the bat!
- Short Video clips: like a venus fly trap, or an octopus escaping a jar
- Unboxing videos/activities: give them clues of what you will be learning
- Unusual photograph
- Investigation: what a better way for students to get to know what they are learning about than by getting to do a hands-on investigation right off the bat!
4. Multiple Learning Pathway Strategies:
You might not think this is out of the box but it needs to be brought back to the classroom. Provide students with the ability to learn with art, music, and movement that is incorporated into your units or lessons. Think about how you learn best as an adult and start there.
 |  |
5. Engaging Read Alouds:
You might not be the teacher that is loud and animated everytime you read out loud to your students but think about how you could enhance the life of the story you are ready but adding voice or movement as you read. Your students will love it and the teacher across the hall might get the motivation to try it for themselves. If you want to take it a step further, there is even an app, Novel Effect, that will add sound effects for you as you read! Bring the books to life for your students!
The quest to improve student engagement is an ongoing endeavor. The five innovative instructional strategies we've explored in this article represent just a glimpse into the ever-expanding toolkit available to teachers.
Let's remember that student engagement is not a destination but a continuous exploration. Together, we can cultivate a learning environment where curiosity thrives, critical thinking flourishes, and students emerge as active, enthusiastic participants in their own education. By harnessing the power of innovation, we can pave the way for a brighter and more engaging future for all learners.
Let's remember that student engagement is not a destination but a continuous exploration. Together, we can cultivate a learning environment where curiosity thrives, critical thinking flourishes, and students emerge as active, enthusiastic participants in their own education. By harnessing the power of innovation, we can pave the way for a brighter and more engaging future for all learners.
We hope you got some value out of our blog today! Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, @IntegratEDk12!
For more individualized and in depth learning on more innovative instructional strategies, planning content driven lessons/units, as well as classroom learning experiences, be sure to check out our PD opportunities! Keynotes, workshops, cohorts, coaching, all available and tailored to meet the needs of your team!
For more individualized and in depth learning on more innovative instructional strategies, planning content driven lessons/units, as well as classroom learning experiences, be sure to check out our PD opportunities! Keynotes, workshops, cohorts, coaching, all available and tailored to meet the needs of your team!
 | Happy Engaging, Megan and Kara |
Climate and culture are two words as educators we hear a lot. They seem to be two words that are consistently talked about, trained on, and continually being honed and developed in schools. As they should be! Without a strong, positive climate and culture within one’s building or classroom, it doesn’t matter how much new “stuff” you have or how pretty your bulletin boards look, the students won’t feel valued, heard, or seen. And if they are feeling those negative emotions, the pathway to learning just got a whole lot harder. As educators, not only do we want our physical space to look welcoming, but we also need our space to feel welcoming. Students should feel that the classroom is not just the teacher’s space, but theirs as well. A space where their voices matter, they are safe, they are supported, and they are loved.
How do you create such a space? It is by taking the time at the beginning of the year and continually throughout the year, in implementing different activities/lessons that showcase those that make up the community in the classroom. Megan and I do not jump into content right away at the beginning of the school year. We take that precious time to work on building up the climate and culture within our classrooms. We believe wholeheartedly that taking the time at the beginning is so well worth it and will come back to you tenfold in the success you see, not only socially and emotionally but academically as well.
If you were to google climate and culture in the classroom, there are many different ideas from so many amazing educators out there. At times it can seem overwhelming! What we have done is compiled a few different classroom activities/lessons that you could implement to help you get started! These activities/lessons could be implemented at the beginning or the school year, or even throughout the school year to help strengthen the climate and culture in your classroom.
Building Climate & Culture in the Classroom Ideas
1. Me Bags: This is an oldie but a goodie. For this activity, each student is given a paper bag to take home with them. Students then fill the bag with 5 (or however many you choose) items to put in the bag. When they return the bag to school, the student shares what items they have chosen and why. This allows students to get to know one another and allows students to start some great conversations!
2. Morning Message/Joke of the Day: We are huge fans of morning messages! It is such a great way to start the day. With our morning message, we always add on a joke of the day. This has become such a hit in the classroom! Students look forward to the jokes and it's fun to hear them repeating them to other teachers in the building! It has become so popular that we have had to start a Joke Box, where students can submit jokes that they know, hear, or read. It is always fun to watch their expressions when they realize it is one of their jokes on the board!
 | 3. Morning Journals: Every morning when students arrive, they get to write in their morning journals. There is a prompt up on the board. Sometimes the prompts are silly and have students using their imagination. Some prompts are students giving their opinion on something. Some prompts are students recalling past experiences or what they want in the future. Whatever the prompt, we have found that these journals are a wonderful gateway in getting to know our students on a deeper, more meaningful level. Students love reading our comments and feedback and it shows them that they are being heard and what they say matters. |
| 4. Class Promise: On the first day of school the one thing that we do with our classes is create a class promise. We have found that students can relate and attach to a promise more so than a list of rules. Before we create our class promise we talk about things that create a good learning environment or good friends. We discuss what the students want to see and feel in our classroom throughout the school year. From that discussion we agree on 3 - 5 promises that we write down to create our collective Class Promise. After writing our Class Promise, students each sign their name and then we hang it up somewhere in the classroom that will be visible all year long. |  |
 | 5. Top Three: This is very similar to the idea of a Class Promise. Instead of writing out a sentence or phrase, the class agrees upon 3 words that they will strive for throughout the year. Just as they did in the class promise, students sign the paper and it is hung somewhere in the classroom where it is visible throughout the year. Some examples of words that past classes have chosen are teamwork, perseverance, kindness, determination. To come up with the words, we simply brainstorm a word web of what makes a good classmate/student. Great discussions come out of this. Then you can help guide students to a consensus of what the TOP 3 for the class should be for the year. |
6. All About Me Collages (Digital): This is a very simple and quick activity you can incorporate in any grade level or class. Students will create a collage of their favorite things or images that will tell about themselves on a digital platform. We like to use the app PicCollage. We love this app and it’s free! As the teacher, you can dictate how many images or items they need on their collage if you feel that your group of students needs that direction. When they are done, you can post them on a digital platform for students to see and comment on. You could also print them, have students speak on what they put in the collages, and then hang the collages in the classroom, in student lockers, or even on a bulletin board. This is one you can make as simple or as extravagant as you would like.
7. Snowball Fight: Who doesn’t like a little bit of Christmas in July?! This one gets students moving, you can involve music, and is simply FUN! Before the snowball fight can begin, you have to make the snowballs. We use cut up strips of paper. It is the teacher's choice of how many strips you want/need. Each student needs to write a fact about themselves on the strip of paper. We encourage more personal things, things that would help distinguish them from the crowd, not just what their favorite color is. After facts are written, students crumple them up. You then divide students up and have them start throwing snowballs! Now, this is where music can come into play. They have to stop when the music does, etc. You can make this as creative or extend this as much as you’d like! By the end students need however many snowballs they began with. Students then take turns reading the fact and guessing which student wrote that fact!
8. Paper Chain Challenge: This challenge encourages soft skills that students need continued practice with, collaboration and communication. Here students are put into groups. The goal is for each group to make the longest paper chain they can using only one piece of construction paper, scissors, and glue. They get 30 minutes to work. They do not get new paper throughout the process so encouraging collaboration and planning is important. At the end of the 30 minutes, have groups lay out their paper chains to see which group has the longest chain! After the chains are done, you can hang them up around the classroom as a reminder of the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and communication.
Now, again, we know there are SO many more ideas that can be implemented in the classroom to help build up the climate and culture. Because there are so many, it at times can feel overwhelming. We simply wanted to provide some ideas and resources from what we have seen success with in our classrooms.
If you have any that you would like to share with us, please do! We’d love to give you a shout out and provide educators with more awesome ideas!
If you have any that you would like to share with us, please do! We’d love to give you a shout out and provide educators with more awesome ideas!
For more individualized and in depth learning on planning content driven lessons/units as well as classroom learning experiences, be sure to check out our IntegratED cohort. LIMITED spots are available!
We hope you got some value out of our blog! Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, @IntegratEDk12 for more classroom ideas and happenings.
 | Two Teachers for Teachers, Megan and Kara |
I am a mom of four. All of my children will be in school this year…how is that possible!? I will have one in junior high, two in grade school, and one in preschool. One of my favorite parts of having my own children in school is to hear how they are doing in their own classrooms, how they are with their peers, and who they are as a learner from their teachers.
Parent communication is very important to me (Meg) not only as a parent but as a teacher. When you stay connected with parents/guardians you build a relationship between home and school. This allows you, as their teacher, to learn about their home life to help better meet their needs in the classroom. It also opens the doors for you as the teacher to work together with the parents/guardians to give the best learning experience for their student.
There are many different ways you can communicate with parents/guardians in your classroom. Whatever you choose, it should be what you feel most comfortable with. My rule of thumb for communication is to make sure I am sending home positive notes or messages about each student frequently, especially your challenging students. Trust me, the parents/guardians know their student is difficult and when you make a phone call home or send a message they are expecting it to be bad. Turn that narrative around and surprise them and share a positive. The impact on the relationship between parents, teachers, and students is powerful.
Ideas for Family Communication
Monthly Newsletter: Create a template that you can easily change out each month to give families updates on what is happening in your classroom. You could include what you are learning about, upcoming activities, school happenings, important dates, etc… Keep it simple and add some pictures.
Unit Family Letter: If you have started to create IntegratED Units with us or have tried them on your own, create a newsletter letting parents know what is coming up in their learning. This puts families in the know for a great start to a discussion at the dinner table. Bonus: If parents/guardians have an idea about the topic it gives them a pathway to tell their student what they know.
Instant Messaging (Class DoJo, Remind, etc.): I am constantly seeing notes home on the floor after the bell has rang and students have left. You know the one saying we are going on a field trip and to make sure to pack a lunch. Using an app that supports instant messaging allows us and families to make a quick reminder or message home, taking away the stress of wondering if your student got that very important paper home safe. You can also send out pictures and reminders on a “Class Story” so families can see what is happening in the classroom.
| Pro Tip: Create a schedule and send a message to each parent/guardian at least once a month. These messages are positive notes on how they are doing in class, who they are playing with, favorite things they did, or funny stories. Families love to hear that their student is doing well. |
Volunteers: At the beginning of each quarter send out a volunteer letter. This might be something that is going on in your building or in your classroom. I have met so many family members that would love to dedicate some of their time during the week helping me or my students. Some ideas to put on your list are: listening to students read, playing a game, cutting out lamination, helping with PTO activities, etc…
| Social Media Group (Facebook): Each year Kara and I create a private Facebook group. In this group we share classroom happenings. Our goal is to post every day. Before posting any of our students we send home a Facebook permission form. If you would like to see what that looks like feel free to reach out and we can send you a copy. |  |
 | Two teachers for teachers, Meg and Kara |
Real teacher talk coming at you, because I know so many of you will understand. As I sit down to write this blog, my mind is going a million miles a minute thinking about school and all the things that I need to start doing. Anyone else have that happening to them? It’s like on August 1, a switch gets turned on in my brain and I go into school mode. I want to enjoy the rest of my summer, what little is left, but school starts to take over my thoughts.
The beginning of the school year comes with so many mixed feelings. The top two… excitement and stress. If you’re like me, you get excited to set up your classroom, meet your new students, catch up with colleagues, and have that sense of refreshness and new beginnings. But there is a flip side to that as well. You start to feel a bit stressed as the to-do lists get longer, the time in your classroom to work gets shorter, and the laminator breaks! 😉 Add to that a new grade level, new team members, or a new school and you have a stressed out teacher before students ever enter the classroom!
We all want to start the new year with our best foot forward. So we put together a few ideas that help us minimize the stress and keep the excitement level up! We hope this might help you as well!
 | Planning Resources: A huge stress point at the beginning of the year is not only getting your classroom set up but planning! One thing that helps us is using the IntegratED Framework and planner to help keep us on track. If you are needing more information on the IntegratED Framework, go check out our past blogs here. Also, we have a FREE sample planner on our website! Click here to get your copy. |
Setting Boundaries: This is one thing that I (Kara) had to learn the hard way when I first began teaching. I did not set boundaries at all when I first began my career and almost quite within the first 6 months of teaching. You need to set up boundaries for you and your family. School does not need to become your end all be all. Is it important, yes but it cannot take over everything. Set a time that you are going to leave everyday and stick to it. It will help you utilize any planning time more effectively and prioritize what needs to be done. Don’t bring it home! Don’t bring home a crate full of things to work on every night. I know there are certain times when it does happen, but don’t make that your habit and your norm!
Gratitude: Look for at least 5 things that you were grateful for during the day. During this time of the year because of the stress we experience, we can become quite hyper focused on the negative. Take a moment to breathe and think back on the day. What are 5 things that you were grateful for? It could be something as simple as a coworker complimenting your outfit. When we focus on the good, the good only gets better! And then the negative doesn’t take as strong of hold in our lives. When we can be grateful, we can have joy!
 | Plan of Action: When I have work time in my classroom, I always like to have a plan of action to minimize those moments of standing and staring at the piles accumulating in my classroom (which still happens… lets be honest 😉). I try to prioritize what needs to get done as best I can and it always feels so good to get something crossed off the list! |
Flexibility: No matter how good of a plan you have laid out, we know as educators there will always be something thrown at us that we didn’t expect! Flexibility is an attribute that good educators possess and the beginning of the year is when we have to bend and flex the most.
Team Building: This year we have a brand new team. I am so incredibly excited for it, but it can be nerve wracking thinking about how to make it all work with new team members. See… stressed but excited! 😉 Even if you have a veteran team, it is always good to start the year off on the right foot. Think of different things that will encourage one another and support one another. If you don’t have a team, those in your building. Small beginning of the year gifts, coffee runs, quarterly breakfasts, their favorite candy or drink stashed in your desk that you could give them if they are having a bad day, collaborative planning times, and shared resources are just a few small gestures that could go a long way in building up your team.
FUN: Plan for some FUN! The beginning of the year is the perfect time for those fun icebreakers and games (also great community building activities). Oftentimes we can bombard students with the drill and kill of routines and procedures. It can make for long days, off task students, and tired teachers. Yes, of course routines and procedures need to be taught, but there are so many creative ways that it can be done. Task cards, class contests, board games, mentor texts are just some ways you could teach routines and procedures while adding in some fun! If you are excited for an activity, it is contagious and the students will be too!
Grace: Give yourself grace as easily as you give it to others. There is a lot to be done in a short amount of time. And if you’re anything like me, a bit of a perfectionist and can get down on myself when things are not all crossed off the list or something didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. We just need to remember that students are not needing perfection, they are just needing YOU!
As the school year gets underway, here at IntegratED we are wishing you the very best school year!
Also, if you are starting the school year and feeling a bit overwhelmed with knowing what and how to plan, there are still two spots available in our cohort! Check out our website for more information!
Also, if you are starting the school year and feeling a bit overwhelmed with knowing what and how to plan, there are still two spots available in our cohort! Check out our website for more information!
 | Two teachers for teachers, Meg and Kara |
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Megan and Kara are educational leaders, professional development experts, and current classroom teachers who are improving the way instruction is being delivered in the standard classroom.
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