August 13, 2017 |
View Online | Sign Up |
![](https://teachersfirst.com/tfupdates/sites/default/files/styles/focal_point_wide_minimal_image_870x260/public/gotag_0.jpg?itok=heZiPoFe)
Get Ready for Back to School!
Explore our eclectic list of resources for classroom design and seat arrangements, overall management, communication with parents, first day ice-breakers, and more.
Grades 7-12
Any.do
Get organized for the new year. Share this online task organizer with your students. Options include assigning a time for tasks, reoccurrence, and an alarm reminder. This tool works on any device and is great for organizing group work.
Grades K-12
Printable Paper
Save money and time with the freebies available at this teacher favorite site! Find graph paper, lined (college or ruled), templates, and much more. Share this tool on your class website for families to use at home to access specialty papers!
Grades K-12
WishyBox
Do you have parents asking you what supplies they can donate? Organize an online wish list to share on your class website. Add links to any website for purchase. Share this tool at Back-to-School Night. Find more ideas in our full review.
Organize & Create Your Classroom
Your time is valuable. Use these tools to save YOU time (and sanity). This collection includes timers, seat assignment creators, calming sounds and images, and much more.
Grades K-12
Calm
Create calm in your classroom. Relax yourself and your students as you view the images and hear the tranquil music. Settle students as they enter the classroom, during transitions, or before a big test. See our classroom review for additional ideas.
Grades K-12
Instant Classroom Seating Chart
Create an online seating chart for up to 100 students with ease. You can create an unlimited number of seating charts. Use this tool to mix up the seating arrangements each month (or marking period). Save this in your tech toolbox!
Grades K-12
Random Name Picker
Simple as 1-2-3: Input your students' names, click submit, and spin the wheel to choose a name. Get all students speaking up with this tool. This could also be used as a decision maker in class: what book to read next, choosing groups, etc.
Grades K-6
Class123
This tool has it all: a timer, seating chart, attendance manager, random name picker, and more. Sign up for free to add your rosters and avatars. Use this tool to communicate with parents. This site has FERPA implications (see the review).
Communication for School Year Success!
Use these tools to email, text, and share positive feedback with parents and students. Read the reviews for complete details to make sure your use respects student privacy.
Grades K-8
ClassDojo
Gamify your classroom management while also drawing attention to positive behavior and keeping parents informed. This device-agnostic tool is sure to engage students and keep communication lines with parents open. This site has FERPA implications.
Grades K-12
Remind
Share information safely via email or text message using Remind. Remind parents (and students) about assignments, tests, conferences, field trips, and more. Users do not see the incoming phone numbers. Be smart: obtain parental permission first!
Grades K-12
ClassTag
Use this tool to promote open communication. Add parents' (or students') emails to send out invitations to participate. Emails and updates are sent to all on your list. You can also see who viewed your emails and updates. No registration is required.
Grades K-6
MarvellousMe
Sign-up to share daily classroom events and information. Encourage positive behaviors through award badges. You can quickly upload images, videos, or record a message to share using the dashboard tools. This site has FERPA implications (see review).
Back-to-School Trio of Resources
This set of back-to-school tips and tools will help kick-start your new school year! Find book lists for your students. Explore icebreakers sure to engage (and entertain) your students as the school year begins.
Grades K-12
TeachersFirst: First Day of School IceBreakers
This curated list of reviewed resources spotlights a number of icebreakers on the first day (or first week) of school. Each reviewed resource includes grade level suggestions, a description, and classroom use ideas.
Grades K-6
Back to School ReadAlouds
Looking for some new books to read on the first day (or first week)? Be sure to reference this list of books, especially for elementary grades. Don't miss the Finding Good Books link to discover countless new books to share throughout the entire year.
Grades 2-12
Bulletin Board Hang Ups
TeachersFirst provides this collection of printable quotations, ready for your classroom or bulletin board. Inspire, engage, and challenge your students to think with quotes from famous leaders, athletes, and more. See our review for additional ideas.
This Week at TeachersFirst
It's our final week of summer virtual workshops with our last session focused on cool tools for K-3. A helpful back-to-school Twitter chat is planned for Thursday and our weekly poll awaits your valuable feedback!
![]() |
Filling up fast!Registration OPEN for Fall Book StudyRegistration continues for our Fall Book study. Don't miss this opportunity to collaborate, create, and engage with fellow educators and TeachersFirst tech coaches. |
![]() |
Join us THIS Thursday 8pm EasternBack To School Twitter ChatDon't miss our Twitter chat this week focused on how to kick off the start of school with tips, tricks, and tools for your classroom and students. Learn about new resources and share your own favorites. |
![]() |
Our last summer session!3 Cool Tools for Grades K-3If you teach grades K-3, join our edtech coaches this Tuesday for our final OK2Ask workshop of the summer season: 3 Cool Tools for the Primary Classroom (K-3). Attend for hands-on learning, lesson plan development, and collaboration. |
![]() |
Share your suggestions!TeacherFirst's Weekly PollOur poll this week asks about the kinds of tech tools you'll find to be the most useful to you this school year. Vote today so our edtech coaches know what kind of tools to feature in future virtual workshops! |
Brought to You by TeachersFirst
Connect with us
Twitter | Facebook
Editorial
Contact the editor
About TeachersFirst
TeachersFirst is a collection of curated, classroom-ready content and ideas — including teacher-authored reviews of thousands of web resources. Built-in guidance from seasoned professionals makes effective classroom technology use trouble-free. TeachersFirst is made available free to K12 teachers by The Source for Learning, Inc., a nonprofit that has been providing educational resources for more than 40 years.