24 Resources and Routines To Make Another Hard Year of Teaching a Little Easier
24 resources and routines to make another tough year of teaching a little easier
It's been a damn year and a half. Teachers and students need life-affirming experiences every day of school. To help you and your students succeed, we have carefully selected the materials and mindsets that we believe truly enhance teaching and learning. You can laugh at how simple and "old school" they are. But that's the point - it's the little things in life that sustain us. So let's start the new school year! Here's for you! And we hope that some of these positive resources for teachers will help energize your day.
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a portion of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. A fresh new notebook
Why it works: Students aren't the only ones recording what they learn in a notebook. Open a new notebook and jot down what you discover about the students—and the classroom.
2. Chart Paper & Easel; Whiteboard and dry erase markers
Why it works: Co-creating artifacts from learning experiences helps students apply new skills to new situations. Inviting students to write and draw on whiteboards encourages engagement and gives you an opportunity to check understanding.
3. Daily mindfulness practice
SOURCE: This meditation guy
Why it works: You make so many decisions throughout the day and it can get overwhelming. At the end of the day, pause for a moment to engage each of your five senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste and feel?
4. A low, light stool
SOURCE: mme_bouchard
Why it works: A stool makes it easy to move around the classroom to meet with students. Whether pulling up alongside a small group or meeting in person, traveling to meet students creates a learner-centric culture.
5. Active listening
SOURCE: Codependent Recovery
Listening and hearing are two different things. Teachers who listen well build trust and become more responsive and problem-solving. Careful listening elevates the teaching because you end up feeling greater compassion. Conversely, feeling too rushed to fully listen creates stress.
6. Listening circles
Use a listening circle to process difficult parts in the classroom. For these listening circles, keep it around 10-15 minutes, a time when everyone is heard. Edutopia has a great article on how to get circles going in your classroom.
7. Picture books about the pandemic or other event
Sometimes there's nothing better than a newly released story to help kids process recent events. The publishers have also really stepped on the gas since 2020 when it comes to cultural relevance. For example, Outside inside by Le Uyen Pham is a beautiful narrative of the collective steps everyone took at the start of the pandemic. The art and words are a remarkable tribute to the frontline workers who are the heroes of our time.
9. Read SEL
There are many picture books to read and discuss that promote social and emotional health. To make it meaningful, think of moments in the story that are ripe for questions that invite children to think about a character's self-awareness, decision-making, and attitude toward others.
10. Social Justice Standards
Be the change you want to see in the world by applying the K-12 Social Justice Standards. They take the guesswork out of promoting identity, diversity, equity and action across all content areas.
11. A mantra
Mantras help us focus on something that gives us energy. "We Can Do Hard Things" and "Peace Begins with Me" are two examples; Choose one for yourself and choose one with the students.
12. Protocol for mirrors, windows, sliding doors
SOURCE: Tandem
When reading or conversing, the mirror concept promotes self-awareness and representation. Windows symbolize looking out and learning about others. Sliding doors represent active engagement in the world. Visit Rudine Sims-Bishop to learn more about her simple but profound insight into the literature.
13. Empathy like never before
SOURCE Funny frugal mom
Empathy means understanding and sharing the feelings of others. It builds strong social connections. If we consciously exemplify and promote empathy, the students learn to react to situations in a more considered manner. They get good at being champions of the collective community.
14. A binge-worthy show
There are some amazing shows out there right now that are helping us to temporarily escape the tough parts of life. Record an episode or two every week.
15. Drink App
Staying hydrated reduces stress. And yes, there is an app for that! Try Waterlama or one of the many apps available that remind you to drink water.
16th class anthem
SOURCE: Pinterest
Share a song that connects you and knocks everyone out of their seats. Some suggestions: I'm a Survivor by Destiny's Child, Can't Stop the Feelin' by Justin Timberlake, Get Back up Again by Anna Kendrick
17. Crayons, paper, markers, glitter
Children are coming to school this year starving for hands-on experience after a long period of distance or hybrid learning. They need lots of tactile learning experiences. So bring on the tools for creativity! (These pretty watercolors are from Walmart.)
18. People before Pinterest
Pinterest can be a fantastic resource for us as long as we use it wisely - and for the good of the students. Sometimes cute and pretty is tempting but not helpful for the lesson. Students show us what online resources are worth using, so check them out.
19th Pod Squad
Pick a favorite podcast, subscribe, and invite some friends to join a pod team. This shared experience and weekly dose of entertainment is refreshing. A few podcasts to try: This American Life, We Can Do Hard Things, The Good Life Project, and Teachers Talk Shop
20. Marie Kondo class
Sometimes it's important to clean up our Marie Kondo-style teaching practices. Just as Marie did at home, reflect on your current teaching practices and see if they bring joy to you and your students. When they no longer belong in your repertoire, hold a space of gratitude for how this exercise has served you and let them go. This will greatly simplify the lesson.
21. Objective
Gather evidence of student learning and set weekly goals, unit goals, and yearly goals. Think about how students are developing socially, emotionally, and academically. Remember that it is not experience alone that makes an exemplary teacher, but reflection on the experience.
22. Use timers
So often classrooms are dominated by too much teacher talk. Timers are simple and powerful tools to build your confidence and encourage a more student-centric space where learners build understanding through their conversations.
23. Say no
SOURCE: Cook's Hill Counseling
Saying no opens up space in our compressed and busy lifestyles. Boundaries are fundamental to self-care. When clouded, teachers often feel drained, burned out, and ineffective.
24. Say yes
Say yes.
Say yes to what drives you. As teachers, we are designed to give and to put the needs of others ahead of our own. Let this be the year you finally say yes to a hobby, a class, a regular spa or massage, or a loud book club. Whatever You Like. Life is short. Live it.
We'd love to hear what positive teacher resources have helped you. Please share in the comments.
And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more articles like this one.
