Today’s First Five:
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School Librarian Appreciation Day
Author: Sarah Nunn
Date: April 4th, 2025
School librarians are so much more than book experts. They are curators of curiosity, champions of quiet confidence, and guides to whole new worlds. Whether it’s helping a student find the perfect book, teaching research skills, or creating a welcoming space for everyone to belong, their work makes a lasting impact.
If you’re lucky enough to have a school librarian in your building, take a moment today to let them know just how appreciated they are.
Need a fun and easy way to spread the love? Check out the Positivity section of today’s First Five for a ready-to-go activity to celebrate the librarians who keep the heart of our schools beating.
First Five Strategy: Two-word Check-In
Author: John Whalen
Date: April 3rd 2025
A simple yet powerful way to start class, the 2-Word Check-In invites students to describe how they’re feeling in just two words. Brought to light by Brené Brown on Simon Sinek’s podcast, this strategy encourages self-reflection and builds classroom connection.
At the start of class, ask students to share their current mood or thoughts in two words. It’s quick, engaging, and challenges them to be both creative and concise. Since we're near the end of the week, responses might be "Almost Friday" or "Need break." This activity works well in classrooms, team meetings, or even around the dinner table.
A few tips:
✅ Set expectations for appropriate responses.
✅ Encourage playfulness—word choice can spark curiosity and conversation.
✅ Use responses to gauge the class mood and adjust your approach.
✅ Try pairing it with a visual (like a whiteboard word cloud) for added impact.
Give it a shot this week and see how your classroom comes alive with expression! What’s your 2-word check-in today?
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
Author: Sarah Nunn
Date: April 2nd, 2025
Today we’re celebrating the incredible paraprofessionals who make our schools stronger, more supportive, and more student-centered every single day. From calming meltdowns to celebrating small wins, from adapting on the fly to being a steady presence in the chaos, you do it all. Your work often goes unseen, but your impact is felt in every corner of the classroom.
To all the amazing paras out there—thank you.
Looking for a simple way to show your appreciation? Head to the Positivity section of today’s First Five for inspiration on how to celebrate the incredible paraprofessionals in your class or building.
Big Things Coming Soon to The First Five!
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: April 1st, 2025
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you, and no, this is not an April Fools' joke. Starting this upcoming school year, we are launching searchable database, a Spanish Edition, and a Jr. Edition of The First Five.
The Jr. Edition is designed especially for our itty bitties (PK to 1st grade), with content they can enjoy and connect with. The Spanish Edition will support native Spanish speakers, bilingual classrooms, immersion programs, and more.
And that’s not all.
We’re also making our searchable content database available to the public, along with giving everything a brand-new, sleek facelift to make finding and using our resources easier than ever.
You can get a sneak peek at what these new editions may look like by visiting edtomorrow.com/today and clicking on the new icons. We’re so excited to share what’s ahead, and we hope you are too!
In A Pinch: The Five-Word Challenge
Author: John Whalen
Date: March 31st, 2025
Looking for a fast-paced, creative activity to spark engagement in your classroom? The Five-Word Challenge is a fun and flexible way to get students thinking quickly, working together, and crafting unique short stories in just a few minutes.
How It Works:
Group Up – Divide students into teams of 2-5.
Get Your Words – Give all groups the same five words (random or themed).
Time to Create – Teams have one minute to build a 30-second story that uses all five words.
Perform & Vote – Each group shares their story, and the class or facilitator votes on the most creative, funniest, or most unexpected tale.
This activity encourages collaboration, quick thinking, and storytelling skills—plus, it’s a great brain warm-up! You can choose random words or select ones that fit a lesson theme (science, history, emotions, etc.).
Try These Ready-to-Go Word Sets:
If you don’t want to create your own, use one of these:
1. Moon, Bicycle, Whisper, Lost, Puzzle
2. Dragon, Alarm, Sandwich, Mirror, Escape
3. Thunder, Library, Secret, Broken, Race
4. Snow, Shadow, Clock, Fire, Mystery
5. Cactus, Treasure, Backpack, Danger, Wind
6. Robot, Jungle, Tornado, Hat, Surprise
7. Spaceship, Volcano, Invisible, Laugh, Map
8. Giant, Tunnel, Apple, Ghost, Rescue
9. Ocean, Password, Magic, Thunderstorm, Window
10. Detective, Ice Cream, Elevator, Notebook, Adventure
Try it out and watch it get pretty interesting pretty quick!