Words of affirmation to get you through the first few weeks of school

Affirmations are powerful! As the new school year kicks off, teachers can refer to the following wise words for support and guidance. From inspirational quotes to relatable sayings, these motivational messages show teachers that they’re not alone, even when the going gets tough:

Words of affirmation for the new school year

Teachers, we recognize that the first few weeks of school can be an exciting and challenging time. Consider implementing daily affirmations as a way to practice self care and foster a positive mindset. 

The following quotes evoke feelings of hope and perseverance, while also serving as a reminder that it’s okay to slow down and rest, take a nontraditional path, and even make occasional mistakes:

“No one is perfect. That’s why pencils have erasers.”

— Wolfgang Riebe

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

— A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”

— Walt Whitman

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

— Winston Churchill

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”

— Amy March, Little Women

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”

— John Keating, Dead Poets Society

“Every day may not be good… but there’s something good in every day”

— Alice Morse Earle

“Rest is not idle, is not wasteful. Sometimes rest is the most productive thing you can do for body and soul.”

— Erica Layne

“Don’t ever think that just because you do things differently, you’re wrong.”

— Gail Tsukiyama

If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means keep moving.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –”

— Emily Dickinson

Relatable quotes about teaching

During times of transition, it can be helpful to hear that others have gone through similar experiences! Read the following quotes about the teaching, and know that you’re not alone: 

“Your heart is slightly larger than the average human heart, but that’s because you’re a teacher.”

— Aaron Bacall

“Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together.”

— Scott Hayden

“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.”

— Alexandra K. Trenfor

“Being a new teacher is like trying to fly an airplane while building it.” 

— Rick Smith

This back-to-school season, Education.com is helping teachers with ready-made lesson plans, worksheets, activity guides, and more! Explore our Learning Library of 37,000+ resources for grades PreK through 8, and see for yourself how we can help you succeed this school year.  

10 activities that get kids moving after a long day at school

After a full day sitting in the classroom, get your child up and moving! 

This back-to-school season, it’s important for parents to make sure kids’ bodies are just as active as their brains. According to the CDC, physical activity before and after school can help improve students’ physical and mental health, and even boost their academics! 

Include the following ideas in your child’s after-school routine to encourage movement daily: 

1. Walk to and from school

Consider walking to and from school with your child, distance allowing. It’s a great way to ensure physical activity five times a week! 

One fun idea: volunteer to lead a walking school bus for your child and their fellow classmates! You and other parents in your neighborhood will walk to and from school with the group of students, creating a structured routine for movement. 

Looking for a reason to get started? National Walk to School Day is a holiday in October that motivates students around the country to walk, bike, or roll to school. As fall comes around,  you can use this holiday as an opportunity to get kids excited about car-free alternatives to transportation.

Learn more about National Walk to School Day here: 

2. Go on a family bike ride

Promote physical activity by getting involved in the fun! Organize a family bike ride in the evening. By participating in the bike ride yourself, you’ll set a good example for your child.

To further motivate them, you can have them decorate their bicycle basket with flowers, yarn, and stickers. This way, they’ll be excited to start pedaling so they can show off their jazzed up wheels around the neighborhood. 

3. Explore nature

As soon as you get home and the backpacks hit the ground, mix things up by going to a nearby park or hiking trail! Getting kids into green spaces helps them learn about the world around them, get exercise, and has even been shown to reduce anxiety, so make sure they’re getting some outdoor time after school.

In nature, you can encourage them to explore outdoor activities like nature journaling, inspecting animal tracks, and using leaves to create artistic rubbings. This Everyday Darwin: Create a Nature Journal is a great way to ignite their curiosity about the natural world and introduce concepts like botany and evolution. 

4. Play Musical Magical Hoops!

Grab some hula hoops and bask in the sunshine! 

In Musical Magical Hoops, each hoop represents a movement, whether it’s jumping up and down, running in place, or doing the chicken dance. Once you start the music, kids run from hoop to hoop and do each motion until the music stops.

Ready to play? Get the full set of instructions here.  

5. Combine math and movement

Who said sports and math don’t go together? 

Use the following activities to combine physical activity with math practice:

• Math Baseball
• Math Marathon

• Hop in Order
• Run Around the Numbers

Kids will learn while they play! 

6. Play Red Light, Green Light

Go back to basics with a game of Red Light, Green Light. 

Assign one child to be the “traffic officer” and have them hold up homemade signs representing the colors on a traffic light. This game is a great way to teach spatial awareness, develop reflexes, and get in some outdoor play time.

7. Have an animal race!

Gallop, crawl, and hop in an animal-themed race! 

Have an Animal Race in your backyard, and encourage your children to think of creative ways to move like different animals, including a dog, a frog, or a crab. While they’re horsing around, they’ll also move their bodies and get some essential aerobic exercise. 

8. Play Builders and Bulldozers

Assemble two teams to play this construction-themed game! 

After school, gather the neighborhood kids and assign one group to be the builders and the other to be the bulldozers. Using traffic cones, organize play into rounds, and have the builders protect the cones while the bulldozers attempt to knock them over. 

9. Get active in your living room

Kids have a ton of energy, and sometimes, the easiest way to get them moving is in the moment, even if that means you’re at home.

If you don’t have access to outdoor space or you simply don’t have time to take them outside, you can still promote physical fitness in your living room!

The following activities can easily be done at home: 

• Animal Movement
• Mindful Movement
• Movement Card Game
• Pop the Balloons!

10. Dance! 

Get up and groove with an after-school dance party! 

Dancing can be a fantastic physical and emotional outlet for children. Plus, dancing with your child is an opportunity to bond over shared interests and love of music. 

To get started, simply turn on some of your child’s favorite tunes and encourage them to move in whatever way feels natural for them. If they need some more guidance, turn on a YouTube video with instructions. 

If they really enjoy dancing, they can even host a Monster Dance Competition for some of their friends, complete with prizes for the best and silliest dancers!

Don’t just sit there—get moving! If you need more inspiration, explore the full list of movement-based activities and outdoor games in the Education.com Learning Library.

In their own words: How teachers use Education.com in their classrooms

PreK to 8th grade teachers rely on Education.com resources to engage their students! 

From learning games that add excitement to math class to printable worksheets that spark a love for reading and writing, there are 37,000+ resources in the Education.com Learning Library that you can use to bring learning to life.

This back-to-school season, hear directly from teachers as they share their proven strategies for using Education.com to enhance their lessons: 

1. How do you use Education.com in your classroom?
2. Why do you love Education.com?
3. What are some of your favorite Education.com resources, worksheets, games, or activities?

1. How do you use Education.com in your classroom?

From establishing daily routines to assessing their students’ progress, here’s how teachers are use Education.com to supplement their curriculums this year:

Lesson planning

We use Education.com every morning during our writing period. I sometimes print out an activity to use either for practice or [as] an exit ticket. I often show a video or assign an interactive activity as part of a station or independent time.

– Teresa M.

As a teacher, having access to comprehensive lesson plans can be a game changer. Education.com offers well-structured lesson plans that save me time and effort, and I can easily adapt them to suit the needs of my students.

– Christina B.

Differentiated Instruction

I teach special education and work with students in multiple grade levels with different abilities. Education.com allows me to meet each student’s needs by finding appropriate resources for their current academic goals.

– April M.

I use some of the activities pages as early finishers. In my intervention hour, I’ll pull worksheets for my students to work on building their math skills. With my higher achieving students, I’ll pull 6th grade worksheets to challenge them.

– Kaleigh T.

Growth monitoring

I use the digital assignments for progress monitoring. It has made the progress monitoring of my students so much easier!

– Beth W.

I use the reading worksheets as cold reads which allows me to collect data on my students who have reading comprehension goals as part of their IEPs.

– Lori B.

Brain breaks

I use the math games or brain break activities to give my students a recharge.

– Kaleigh T.

I use the games and time fillers the most. They’re fun and educational!

– Darrin G.

Sub plans

I use Education.com for last-minute lessons or substitute plans.

– Courtney M.

When I have to take any substitute classes, worksheets on Education.com are saviors for me.

– Nisha B.

2. Why do you love Education.com?

Education.com offers ease of use, affordability, and more! There are countless reasons why teachers are passionate about Education.com. Hear about what makes this platform a favorite: 

Ease of use

Education.com has the most resources available out of any other website I have tried. It’s easy to navigate and everything is right at your fingertips!

– Jennifer S.

I am a busy teacher, and it’s so nice to have ready-made materials that can be printed with no prep and used in my classroom almost immediately. 

– Leslie B.

It’s easy, it’s affordable, and I enjoy knowing I can rely on Education.com when I need something quick or need an idea for a lesson.

– Sue K.

Leveled learning

There is something for every student and every level. There are enough resources so I can use stations. Some students can work on games or workbooks, and I can teach with a worksheet at the same time.

– Jaclyn G.

It’s a “one stop shop” for all my students’ needs. The variety of worksheets and grade levels allow you to zone in on a particular area of weakness for a student. 

– Wendy F.

A way to keep students engaged

As an incentive, every Friday, my students like to go painting and buy stuff using the coins they earn by completing tasks. Education.com is interactive, and the platform is hands-on. There are no idle moments.

– Manetswa F. M.

My students love Education.com and are always so excited to work anytime. When I tell them we’re using Education.com today, they instantly give me their attention.

– Ashley J.

Quality resources

The worksheets and activities are high quality and not busy work. Students learn a lot from them, and especially when I taught testing grades, their worksheets were the best to help them prepare.

– Ruth K.

Education.com allows me to easily search for worksheets that align with my students’ learning targets and the common core standards. The worksheets are high quality and do not contain errors like other websites.

– Sandy V.

3. What are some of your favorite Education.com resources, worksheets, games, or activities?

Every teacher below has their go-to resource on the site that they turn to time and again. Get inspired by some of their top picks:

Math worksheets

Love the math worksheets, especially [for] the middle school level. They allow for work to be done right on the page and are not as busy and cluttered as other math worksheets.

– Donna P.

The fraction worksheets and workbooks are very helpful, and I love that many of the pages have directions at the top to remind students of the process. I have used these pages for students to have extra practice at home.

– Rebecca H.

Reading and writing worksheets

My students love playing Sight Words BINGO. They also love building words on the refrigerator. 

– Misty H.

I utilize the reading passages and comprehension questions the most because I can use different grade levels to differentiate the work.

– Rebekkah W.

My students enjoy the choice boards. They also enjoy short, high interest nonfiction topics that are relatable to their age group.

– Marisa M.

The novel study packets save me so much prep time, and the selection of novels is so good!

– Christine Y.

Games

Dino Crunch Irrational Numbers is the best! The students laughed when the dinosaur made noises and spit the wrong answers out.

– Ellen R. 

The Treasure Diving: Multi Step Equations game is very helpful for those middle schoolers beginning Algebra. 

– Lisa C.

My favorite games are the Figurative Language games. I have not seen any other website that has games that review figurative language. I was so excited to see that they had them available on this website.

– Megan F.

Hands-on activities

I have used the Make Money Make Cents, Ice Cream Addition, and the Number Line activities with Kindergarten through 5th grade, and they have been a lot of fun. Reinforcing the curriculum with activities has been such a great support.

– Patsy B.

I love the Education.Com activities. They engage my students and get them excited about learning new materials. This excitement translates to agency over their education which is a powerful thing.

– Madeline B. 

Cultural and historical resources

I loved all Black History Month resources. I was the only teacher on my campus to have an abundance of information on a bulletin board and reading resources for my students. 

– Victoria S.

I enjoy the social studies lessons on cultures from around the world. The students are always interested in learning about other people and cultures.

– Karin C.

Excited to see what all the buzz is about? Try Education.com for yourself by browsing our Learning Library of 37,000+ resources for PreK through 8th grade. 

From backpacks to bus stops: Back-to-school checklist for parents!

From prepping lunches to establishing bedtime routines, the back-to-school tasks for parents can feel endless! Luckily, we’ve compiled a checklist to prepare you for the new year, plus links to resources to meet every child at their level.

Check off the list below so you don’t forget a thing! 

Pre-K checklist

• Prepare healthy lunches and snacks, and get the kids involved in the cooking.
  • Discover kid-friendly recipes for preschool! 
• Add school events to your calendar.
  • You can use this back-to-school calendar to plan out the first month of school, from drop-off times to after-school activities, and meet-the-teacher night. 
• Label everything, from backpacks to lunch boxes. This will make it easier for you and your child, as young kids tend to leave items on the playground or in the classroom.
  • For a quick and easy solution, print these name labels for kids.
• Establish a consistent bedtime, and start practicing your nighttime routine before the summer ends.
  • Get a bedtime chart based on your child’s age in this Parent’s Guide to Preschool, Part 4.
• Read with your child daily to help them build literacy skills.
  • Explore proven tips for reading with your child in this Parent’s Guide to Preschool, Part 2.
  • To get them excited about reading, click through our library of leveled books featuring colorful illustrations and audio narration.
  • Use this Reading Interest Survey and What I Like to Read worksheet to select books that fit your child’s preferences.
• Help your new student build relationships with their peers.
  • Discover fundamental social-emotional learning activities for young children in this Parent’s Guide to Preschool, Part 3).
• Make time to develop a connection with your child’s teacher.
  • Learn how to forge a positive school-home connection in this Parent’s Guide to Preschool, Part 1.
• Recognize the importance of play, and use educational resources to play with your child at home.
  • Make home-based learning fun with these hands-on activities, crafts, and memory games!
• Help them hone their writing skills before the new school year begins.
  • Incorporate this Prewriting Skills: Vertical Lines worksheet into your after-school routine to get a head-start on letter formation.
• Note key physical and cognitive milestones throughout the year.
  • Get the full list of milestones to look forward to in this Parent’s Guide to Preschool, Part 1.

Kindergarten-5th grade checklist

• Practice packing your child’s backpack with them before the first day of school.
  • Establishing a nightly packing routine to be prepared for the following day of school. This handy backpack map activity is a great way to introduce the concept to young learners and help them build confidence independently packing their bag! 
• Prepare healthy lunches and snacks, and get the kids involved in the cooking.
  • Discover kid-friendly recipes for elementary school!
• Add school events to your calendar.
  • You can use these monthly calendars to plan out events throughout the school year, from meet-the-teacher night to sports games and end-of-year celebrations. 
• Set bedtimes, and build healthy sleep habits. Start adjusting your sleep schedule before the first day of school.
  • Determine the appropriate bedtime for your child using a bedtime chart for ages 5 through 11. It’s featured in these Parent’s Guides to K-5th Grade, Part 3.
• Limit screen time to start the new school year on the right foot.
  • Access our step-by-step plan for tackling technology, fostering healthy screen time habits, and teaching digital citizenship in these Parent’s Guides to K-5th Grade, Part 3. 
• Review last year’s curriculum, and help them get up to speed for the new school year.
  • Practice educational skills from the previous school year using these Fall Review Packets.
  • Read through our Parent’s Guides to K-5th Grade, Part 2 to learn about math and literacy developments you can expect to see this year.  
• Develop organizational systems for completing homework.
  • Send your child back to school with this printable homework planner. Add it to their binder, and encourage them to fill out the colorful sections every day, empowering them to take charge of their learning. 
  • Teach your child that it’s okay to say no! When there’s a lot on their plate, help them rank competing activities by filling out this playing with priorities chart.
• Make time to develop a connection with your child’s teacher.
  • Learn how to forge a positive school-home connection in these Parent’s Guides to K-5th Grades, Part 1. Read through tips like sending a note to their teacher in the first week, taking the time to say thanks, and helping your child be a problem solver. 
• Note key physical and cognitive milestones throughout the year
  • Get the full list of milestones to look forward to in our Parent’s Guides to K-5th Grades, Part 1.

6th-8th grade checklist

• Add school events to your calendar.
  • Our Parent’s Guide to Middle School, Part 4 also features a daily and weekly planner, as well as a planning calendar. Plus, discover expert tips for setting up your middle schooler for success! 
• Provide organizational tools to build your child’s study habits.
  • We all have different learning styles! Start by exploring the ways your child retains information best using this back-to-school would you rather activity. 
  • Motivate your middle schooler to set intentions for their learning and follow through on them! They can take charge of their learning with this study plan template and calendar, planning template focusing on their environment and tools, and printable study flashcards. 
• Practice walking or biking to your child’s school, or map out the bus route they will need to take.
• Have a conversation with your child with technology literacy and safety tips.
  • Explore strategies for talking to your child about digital citizenship, screen time, and online safety in the Parent’s Guide to Middle School, Part 3.
• Employ social-emotional learning techniques, worksheets, and activities to help your child thrive in a new environment.
  • Middle school can be a tough transitional time! Get advice for developing your child’s social awareness, promoting responsible decision making, and supporting their self-awareness and self-management in our Parent’s Guide to Middle School, Part 2.
  • Help them understand themselves and build a positive self-image! They can create an individuality map, send a letter to their future self, and complete the all about me graphic organizer. 
• Supplement their learning at home with Interactive Worksheets!
  • As an alternative to online scrolling, you can use Interactive Worksheets to make screen time educational and boost at-home learning. Explore 1,600+ online worksheets with instant grading features in our Learning Library.
• Get curious about changes in the school system, and start preparing your child for high school, college, and beyond!
  • To help support your child with the most current knowledge, read the Parent’s Guide to Middle School, Part 1 to learn about how education has changed in the last ten years, and discover a list of the top ten skills employers seek.

Parents: looking for all the help you can get with the back-to-school prep? For a more detailed guide, you can follow along with our Back-to-school Toolkit series, a four-week guide featuring personalized materials, activities, and advice for parents of students entering pre-k through 8th grade. 

Back-to-school tips for teachers

August is here, and as teachers prepare their classrooms for their students, here are some back-to-school tips that can help you start off on the right foot:

1. Build relationships with students and families
2. Establish systems and procedures early-on
3. Be flexible and open to change

1. Build relationships with students and families

The beginning of the school year can be busy, but it’s important to set aside time to build relationships with your students as well as their parents and guardians. These connections can set the tone for a positive and supportive environment. 

Over the coming weeks, get to know your students by having them fill out an All About Me Writing Activity or Graphic Organizer. This will allow you to tailor your lessons to their unique interests and learning styles and create a welcoming space where every learner feels comfortable. Another way to make connections is by asking students for ‘help’, getting them involved in taking something to the office or creating a game for the class. 

Don’t forget to also build rapport with parents and families, working with them as a team to strengthen education inside and outside the classroom. Approach these conversations with confidence by utilizing these eight parent-teacher communication guidelines: 

2. Establish systems and procedures early-on

Build a strong classroom community by setting clear rules and systems from the start! During the first week of school, introduce your class to your preferred classroom management system, whether it be class coupons, classroom jobs, morning meetings, or team points. 

Not sure where to start? Explore these icebreakers for building community in the classroom (plus helpful tips from real teachers): 

3. Be flexible and open to change

Each new class of students is unique, and what worked last year might not work again! With this in mind, approach the year with flexibility by embracing new ideas, technologies, and teaching methods from your fellow teachers and online. 

When you run into challenges, remind yourself that even the most organized educators can run into roadblocks, and give yourself grace. You can always revisit your established procedures throughout the year and iterate based on what is and isn’t working. 

Read this advice for revisiting class rules at different times in the year: 

By fostering strong relationships, establishing rules from the beginning, and remaining adaptable to change, you’ll be equipped to handle whatever the school year throws your way! 

And if you’re looking for advice or motivation from fellow educators, check out this blog post. 

For printable worksheets and resources to support your journey this year, click through Teacher Resources and Back-to-School Worksheets on Education.com.