5 back to school resources for the new year
Start the year right with these five back to school resources.
Finding it for free
Preparing and stocking your classroom can be stressful and expensive. The NEA has gathered a list of tips on how to get ready for the school year without breaking the bank. Resources range from finding free and discounted supplies to accessing free technology to help you keep your class organized.
Join colleagues online to share ideas and resources
Connect with other educators, parents and community members from all over with NEA's edCommunities. The online social network gives you a place to connect with other members and it's free.
From NEA:
EDCommunitiesis a place where teachers, parents, school support professionals, and community members share ideas and resources to improve student success. The Professional Practice Communities is the perfect way to connect with colleagues on topics that range from math, science, and gifted to 21st Century skills, Common Core, Bullying, and Education Support Professionals. Join one of the established groups or start your own.
Register and join the conversation.
Strategies for using technology to connect with parents
A key to smooth relationships with parents is consistent and clear communication. But you need to find a system that works for you. Luckily technology is giving educators more communication options.
Washington teacher Chad Donohue wrote a column for NEA outlining how he uses technology to keep parents informed and engaged. Tips included:
- Using a free and secure text messaging app
- Setting up private Facebook groups for parents
- Creating short videos outlining class procedures, school supply lists and more.
Online lesson plan tool
Heading to Google to search for lesson plans can give you a lot of unrelated results. NEA has set up a customized search tool giving you access to thousands of lesson plans from across the web.
Learn your students' names and help them learn about each other
It might sound simple, but using photos with your seating chart is a handy way to quickly connect your students' faces with their names. And it's a great tool for substitute teachers throughout the year. Retired educator Phil Nast shares tips on how to collect photos for your chart and strategies that can help students get to know each other as well.
