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National Pet Day
Author: Sarah Nunn
Date: April 11th, 2025
If you’ve ever wished you could bring your dog for moral support during IEP meetings or testing season, we support that. Honestly, anyone carrying data, snacks, and emotional baggage (all in one tiny metaphorical backpack) deserves a treat. And maybe a nap. Whether you're knee-deep in progress reports, test prep, or just trying to remember what day it is, hang in there, team. You’re doing important work.
First Five Facilitation Tip by John Whalen: What Should I Do If a Student Shares More Deeply than Others?
Author: John Whalen
Date: April 10th, 2025
As teachers, we’re trained to assess, support, and guide students in their learning. It’s natural for us to want to help, correct, or problem-solve when we hear about a struggle. But when it comes to Quick Connects, Check-Ins, or any part of The First Five that involves student sharing, that’s not the goal.
The best thing you can do in the moment? Resist the urge to respond or offer solutions.
These activities are not about fixing problems—they’re about creating a space where students feel heard. Instead of jumping in with advice, focus on modeling active listening. If a student shares something deeply personal, assume they are sharing not for help, but for understanding.
Our research has shown that when students choose to open up in these moments, it’s often because they want their peers to understand their experiences—not because they’re looking for an adult to step in.
Bring Edtomorrow to Your Campus!
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: April 9th, 2025
If you're a school leader whose educators already use our free daily resources, there's a good chance they’ll love our professional development too. Our sessions take those daily moments of connection and expand them into something more impactful and long-lasting on your campus. Check out this short video to learn more about what Edtomorrow offers and see if it’s a good fit for your staff this summer or fall: https://youtu.be/-p3EiLn9SgI
At Edtomorrow, we specialize in educator-first professional development that prioritizes connection, accountability, and real impact. Our trainings are practical, engaging, and built for the realities of today’s classrooms.
🎯 Our PD Offerings Include:
✅ 101: Foundational Frameworks – Build inclusive, engaging school cultures that drive student success
✅ 201T: Accountability & Approaches to Classroom Discipline – Empower teachers with restorative tools for managing behavior and conflict
✅ 201A: Transformative Accountability for Administrators – Help school leaders balance high support with strong accountability
✅ 301: Re-Entry Systems for Support & Success – Equip staff with strategies to help students transition back after extended absences
✅ Campus Coaching & Support – Hands-on guidance and personalized strategies for long-term growth
💡 The Best Part?
✔ Sessions are interactive, relevant, and built for your unique team
✔ Strategies that can be used right away
✔ Ongoing support to turn ideas into action
💰 Flexible and Affordable:
We offer bulk discounts and can help you explore grant options. We'll work with your budget to bring meaningful PD to your school.
📩 Let’s Connect:
Visit https://www.edtomorrow.com, fill out the contact form, or reach out directly at info@edtomorrow.com. We’d love to chat about how we can support your campus.
Join the schools already seeing the difference with Edtomorrow’s PD!
Laughter, the Secret Sauce of a 5th-Grade Classroom
Author: Cortney Whalen
Date: April 8th, 2025
If you’ve ever spent a day in a 5th-grade classroom, you know it’s a unique blend of curiosity, chaos, and unfiltered honesty. These kids are old enough to understand sarcasm (sort of), but still young enough to think that putting a fake spider on my chair is the height of comedy. And honestly? It kind of is.
Teaching is serious business—standards, assessments, and the ever-present “Did you even read the directions?” But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as an educator, it’s that humor isn’t just a fun extra—it’s essential. It’s the secret sauce that turns a room full of reluctant learners into an engaged, joyful community.
Take, for example, the day I tried to teach figurative language using Shakespeare. There I was, dramatically reciting “All the world’s a stage” when I noticed Jacob in the back, frowning. I paused for his inevitable deep thought, but instead, he said, “So wait… are we all just unpaid actors? That seems unfair.” Cue the entire class launching into a debate about whether they should be earning royalties for existing. Did we slightly derail? Yes. But did they all understand the concept of metaphor by the end? Also yes.
Humor creates connection. When I laugh with my students, I’m not just the person assigning essays and reminding them to use capital letters—I become a human being. They know I’ll joke back when they groan about a writing assignment (“I know, I know… writing is SO HARD. I mean, where do words even come from?”). They know I’ll join in on a round of “Guess That Teacher’s Age” (I always let them guess way too high for my own amusement). And they know that if I ask them to do something tough, it’s coming from someone who truly enjoys being in the room with them.
Of course, there are days when even the best jokes can’t salvage things—when the Wi-Fi crashes mid-lesson, or someone spills their water bottle directly onto the class set of The Most Beautiful Roof in the World. But even then, a well-timed, “Welp, we’re really living in a plot twist now,” can ease the tension.
So to my fellow educators: don’t underestimate the power of laughter. Your content is important, but so is the way you deliver it. Be silly. Be relatable. Let them see you laugh, and they’ll trust you when it’s time to learn. And if all else fails? Keep a stash of fake spiders handy.
In a Pinch Activity - Clap-A-Round
Author: John Whalen
Date: April 7th, 2025
Clap-A-Round is a great activity for either an opening or closing. It keys in on teamwork and focus and is simple to play. I’ve found that all age levels enjoy this, even adults! The activity can take as little as 2-3 minutes and can be pushed out longer if needed! Another great perk? No preparation is needed!
Explaining How it Works
As the activity facilitator, clap your hand once and turn to the person to your right. Then that person claps. This continues, with one person at a time clapping once until it comes back to you. I often model this once with the group by walking around the circle and pointing to the person whose turn it is to clap.
Round 1
Once they get how it works, the challenge is to see if the group can be successful in having one person clap at a time, in order, as it goes around the circle. Keep doing this round until there is success or time runs out.
Round 2
Repeat the same process but do it quicker. It’s all about speed!
Round 3
Repeat the same process BUT have the order go in the opposite way.
Round 4
Continue the challenge that was done in Round 3, but let the group know that as it gets back to you (the person who began the process), you are silently going to start a new pattern. When it does get back to you, push the clapping in the other direction and see if it can come all the way back.
Round 5
Start with a clap, then have the person to the right tap both of their knees. The following person claps. The next person (this would be the 4th person overall) taps both of their knees. This pattern continues until it makes it back to the beginning.
If a group shows success with the five rounds, you can begin creating new patterns. This activity is always good for a communal laugh, and it brings the group closer together!