Back-to-School Starter Pack

A research-based lineup of smart, effective classroom design tips that support deep learning, reduce distraction, and build belonging.

The right approach to seating works behind the scenes to keep students focused on learning while minimizing disruptions, research suggests.

After years of search and experimentation, this teacher finally hit on a room layout that allowed for efficient shifting between whole class, small group, and independent work.

When working on your classroom layout, it’s important to make sure it helps children feel welcome, inspired, and understood.

This desk arrangement facilitates peer discussions and supports effective collaborative and independent work. And students prefer it.

It’s important to organize the learning environment in ways that support students’ focus and engagement.

Teachers have only a few minutes to begin to forge relationships with families. Try sharing classroom logistics in advance to save that time for high-level priorities.

Having students take the lead on communication creates connections between school and home while teaching self-advocacy skills.

Elementary teachers can use these three systematic strategies to build connections and relationships with families.

Positive, asset-based communication with families can transform the relationships between teachers, parents, and students.

These teacher-approved activities will help create the sort of classroom bonds that pave the way to academic success.

Relationship mapping allows teachers to evaluate their connections with students to determine who needs more support.

An elementary classroom’s layout and routines that begin on day one can help start the year with a focus on social and emotional learning.

These engaging activities can help both students and staff get to know each other better.

Fostering a positive community focused on learning can be tough in middle school when students’ initial excitement wanes, and these tips can help.

In this first-day-of-school activity, students and teachers collaborate to create classroom norms and set goals.

Before a lesson begins, it’s important to communicate a clear plan so that students will understand what’s expected of them.

A look at how to set up a classroom that promotes shared responsibilities so that students are engaged in their community.

A super-cool strategy like an interactive bulletin board isn’t so great if you drop it by October. A teacher shares criteria for evaluating whether an idea will be sustainable, plus some ideas that have worked for her.

This framework helps teachers decide which behaviors to ignore and which ones need to be addressed—and how to best address them.

Over time, every teacher makes small changes that have a big impact on how their classes run. A veteran teacher shares the hacks that work for him.

Whether our emotions get the best of us, or we fall into familiar but unproductive habits, here are 7 common classroom management mistakes, and what the research suggests you should do instead.

From “Silent 20” to imaginary marshmallows, these teacher-tested strategies for all grade levels can help you snap an unruly classroom back to attention.