Since Open House is often parents’ very first glimpse of you and your classroom, you’re probably putting a lot of care into how you present yourself. That’s why I created a simple and fun activity to help take some of the pressure off and get conversations flowing.

Say hello to the Guess Who? Bulletin Board Activity Kit—a lighthearted, interactive way to break the ice and make your Open House experience more memorable. This easy-to-set-up display gets students and families engaged, curious, and smiling from the moment they walk in the door.

Back to School : Open House

This kit includes everything you need to create an engaging Guess Who? bulletin board display—perfect for Open House or any school event that involves families!

Originally designed for kindergarten through third grade, this resource can easily be adapted for older students too. Here’s how it works: each student draws a self-portrait and writes two clues about themselves. Families and classmates then read the clues and try to guess who’s who. Once they’ve made their guess, they can check the answer key to see if they were right!

It’s a simple, meaningful way to add fun and connection to your Open House—and students love seeing their work proudly displayed for their families to enjoy.

If you like this resource then check out our back to school bundle full of resources for the beginning of the school year!

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The post How to Make Your Open House More Exciting first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

These four mini-tips come together to form one powerful piece of advice. As you navigate the excitement (and overwhelm) of the back-to-school season, this may be one of the most important back to school teacher tips to carry with you.

Back to School Series: 4 Practical First Week of School Advice for an Awesome Start

Make Connections That Matter

It’s easy to get swept up in routines and checklists, but don’t forget: relationships first, everything else second. Make space in the day to get to know your students—even if it’s just a few minutes at a time. Greet them by name, notice their interests, and let them know you see them.

These connections build trust and respect, and they’re the foundation for every successful school year. A classroom that feels safe and welcoming is one where students can take risks, ask for help, and grow.

With staff beyond your grade level team: Yes, your teammates are important—but so are the custodians, the school nurse, the secretary, the paraprofessionals, and even your admin! You’ll need all of them at some point—when the copier breaks, when you need more band-aids, or when you accidentally lock yourself out of your room. Relationships are everything.

With students: Let them get to know you! Talk about your favorite children’s book, your family pet, or the best place you’ve traveled. When students feel connected to you, they are more likely to feel safe, seen, and ready to learn.

With families: Start off on the right foot with parents and caretakers. A positive connection early on can make communication smoother throughout the year. Get connected with as many as you can during the first week of school.

Be Patient and Stay Consistent

In those early weeks of school, everything takes longer. Transitions, directions, routines—they all require modeling and practice again and again. That’s okay. Give your students time to learn, and give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly.

Consistency doesn’t mean perfection—it means predictability. When students know what to expect from you and from their day, they feel safe and confident. Try to use the same language, responses, and routines each day. The more consistent you are, the less time you’ll spend redirecting or re-explaining.

Not every day will be perfect, but a consistent tone and structure helps students regulate and feel secure—even when the unexpected happens.

This is one of those back to school teacher tips that’s easy to forget in the moment: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Teaching procedures with patience and consistency now means fewer disruptions later.

Take Care of Yourself

We can’t talk about back to school teacher tips without talking about YOU. This season can be exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. So here’s your permission: drink water, eat lunch, get some sleep, and set boundaries around work time. You matter too.

Set boundaries early. Try to leave no later than 30 minutes after your contract time. Go home. Eat a good meal. Rest. Call a friend. Watch your favorite show. Do something that brings you joy. You are a better teacher when you’re taking care of yourself.

Don’t Forget to Laugh

Laughter is not just good for the soul—it’s also a proven stress reliever and immune booster. Things will go wrong during that first week. You’ll forget a student’s name. You’ll spill your coffee. You’ll accidentally skip an activity. Laugh it off.

Show your students that mistakes are okay and that even adults don’t get everything right. Modeling this kind of grace makes your classroom a safe, warm, and welcoming place.

Final Thought

Back to school is a whirlwind, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Come back to these reminders when the days feel long: connect, be patient, stay consistent, and take care of you. Those small, intentional steps make all the difference.

Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. Build relationships, give yourself (and others) grace, and keep showing up. You’re doing better than you think—and your students are lucky to have you.

Have a favorite tip that gets you through the first week of school? I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments!

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Centers (also called stations) are a great way to give your students the opportunity to practice skills, build independence, and work cooperatively with others. They can quickly become your favorite part of the day—but only if you introduce them intentionally and patiently.

Back to School Series: The Best Way to Start Centers in Kindergarten and First Grade

Take It Slow

One of the biggest mistakes new teachers make is trying to launch all centers at once. It may feel like you’re “behind” if you wait, but trust me—it’s better to go slow now than to spend the rest of the year putting out fires later.

Start with just one center, like your classroom library or a word work activity. Spend a few days—or even a week—only teaching expectations for that one center. Model what students should do, what they should not do, and where everything goes when they’re done

Practice Transitions Early and Often

Getting to the center and cleaning up is just as important as what happens during it. Show students how to calmly walk to a center, how to carry materials, what to do if they finish early, and how to rotate to the next station. Then practice, practice, practice!

You don’t need to introduce a full center rotation system in the first week—or even the first month. Once students master one center, keep that group working in it while you introduce the next one to a new group. That way, you’re reinforcing routines while expanding your centers.

Set Boundaries for Small Group Time

Your time with a small group is precious—and students need to know when it’s okay to ask for help and when they should wait. Spend time teaching them explicitly how to tell the difference.

Some teachers use a visual signal like a touch light, lamp, or even a lava lamp to show when it’s small group time and they shouldn’t interrupt. Others wear a special hat, crown, or lanyard when they’re with a group. You can even make a sign that says, “I’m with a group—please wait!” and teach students what situations are urgent enough to interrupt you (e.g., someone is hurt or sick) and what can wait.

Practice these scenarios with your class so they feel confident and clear. The fewer interruptions, the more effective your small group time will be.

Prepare for the “What Ifs”

Students will interrupt your small groups with lots of little emergencies unless you prep them ahead of time. Show them what to do if:

• A center is missing materials
• Something is broken
• They’re not sure how to complete the activity
• They need help and you’re working with another group

Make these scenarios part of your practice time. The more you front-load expectations, the more independent your students will become.

Let’s Keep Learning Together

Centers are a classroom favorite when introduced the right way. Do you have a favorite tip for launching centers smoothly? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what works for you!

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The post Introducing Centers in Your Classroom? Avoid These Common Mistakes first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Let’s talk about the budget classroom setup. I’m not going to lie—I’m one of those teachers who loves walking into a space that feels bright, inviting, and Pinterest-worthy. But here’s the secret…

I rarely spend more than a few dollars putting my classroom together each year.

You don’t have to break the bank to create a space you love! With a few creative strategies and some teacher hustle, you can set up a beautiful, organized classroom on a budget—and feel proud walking into it every morning.

Back to School Series: Save Your Hard Earned Money!

Ask Your People

My first step every year is to reach out to friends and family. I’ll post on Facebook with a list of things I’m looking for—think flexible seating, storage bins, or even picture frames for anchor charts. You never know who’s doing a clean-out or is happy to donate gently used items. Don’t be afraid to ask!

Create an Amazon Wishlist

I always make an Amazon Wishlist with classroom supplies, materials, and décor. Once it’s ready, I share it on social media and with my parent community. It’s simple, quick, and you’d be surprised how many people are happy to support your classroom setup—especially if you emphasize your budget-friendly goals.

If you’re not sure how to get started with a wishlist, check out this post on how I use Amazon Wishlists to get classroom supplies.

Post a DonorsChoose Project

Every year, I create at least one classroom project on DonorsChoose. It’s a nonprofit platform that helps teachers across the U.S. get the supplies and experiences they need.

You can request things like flexible seating, art supplies, field trips, or even PD opportunities. Bonus: companies and donors frequently match contributions or fully fund projects during special campaigns—so it’s always worth having a project live on the site, especially when you’re working with a limited classroom budget.

Thrift Stores are Goldmines

I love thrifting for classroom finds. Whether it’s storage containers, bookshelves, clipboards, or even educational games, I almost always walk away with something useful. It’s also a fun and affordable way to inject your classroom with personality. Click here to see some of my favorite Goodwill finds!

Look for Local Nonprofit Resource Centers

Many areas have non profit organizations that recycle and redistribute classroom supplies. We have one in our area called Scarce, and it’s a treasure trove for teachers! I’ve found manipulatives, storage bins, pocket charts—even musical instruments.

A small donation is usually requested, but the value of what you leave with is so worth it. Bonus: many of these centers also support homeschool families and nonprofits. Definitely a go-to spot for budget classroom setup ideas.

Our Point

You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a space where learning thrives. With a little creativity and community support, you can fill your classroom with everything you need—without the financial stress.

Let’s Hear From You!

What’s your best classroom budget hack? Share it in the comments below!

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The post The Secret to a Beautiful Classroom Setup on a Budget first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Back to School Series: Call and Response

Feeling Like You’re Losing Control?

There’s nothing more overwhelming than standing in front of a room full of wiggly, chatty students — and not knowing how to help them settle down.

Back in my first year of teaching, I had two big questions:

1. What’s the best way to get my class’s attention quickly?
2. How do I keep the classroom calm without raising my voice?

After a lot of trial and error — watching YouTube videos, observing other teachers, and experimenting in my own room — I found my answer: Call and Response.

Why We Love Call and Response

“Call and Response” attention-getters have always worked beautifully in my classroom. They’re fast, fun, and effective — and they save your voice.

I always teach 2–3 call and response phrases during the first week of school so my students know exactly what to do when I need their attention.

It’s as simple as:

• Teacher: “Class, class!”
• Students: “Yes, yes!”

No yelling. No clapping over chatter. Just a quick, respectful cue — and it works like magic.

See It In Action!

Want to see how I use call and response in real life? Watch this quick reel of me using my favorite attention-getters with my class—it’s simple, effective, and fun!

Watch the video below:

Use Call and Response to Reinforce Expectations

One of our favorite tools for maintaining structure? Call and response routines.

Not only do they capture attention quickly, but they build classroom culture and give students a role in the routine.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Teacher: “Hands on top” → Students: “Everybody stop!”
• Teacher: “Peanut Butter” → Students: “Jelly Time!”
• Teacher: “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” → Students: “1, 2, 3 Eyes on you!”

Want something more personalized? Max uses rhythmic clapping patterns that students echo back. It’s simple, non-verbal, and super effective.

Max’s Music Twist

Max is a middle school music teacher, so he brings rhythm into everything. He loves using rhythmic clapping patterns with his students, and I’ve adapted that into my own classroom. The kids love echo clapping — and it gives us a little spark of fun during transitions!

Add This Tool to Your Teacher Toolkit

Whether it’s your first year or your fifteenth, call and response is one of those simple tools that can totally change the tone of your classroom.

Grab my Go-To List of Call and Response Attention Getters to quickly grab your students’ attention and set a calm, focused tone from Day 1!

Let’s Hear From You!

What’s Your Favorite Call and Response? We hope you found this post helpful! Comment below with your favorite call and response phrase — or one you’re excited to try this year!

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The post Awesome Call and Response Ideas You’re Sure to Love first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Between Max and I, we’ve experienced our fair share of first days—and if we’ve learned anything, it’s this: You cannot expect your students to “just know” what to do.

After a long summer (or for some, their first classroom ever), kids need clear, repeated, slow instruction in every single part of the school day. And it’s our job to teach them everything—even the parts that feel obvious.

Back to School Series: Routines

Why Assume They Know Nothing?

It’s not about being condescending. It’s about being proactive.

Your students may have never:

• Walked in a line before
• Used a pencil sharpener
• Transitioned to a rug without chaos
• Asked for help in a group setting

And even if they’ve done it before? It wasn’t with you.

So start fresh. Teach it all. Go slow. Model it clearly. Then… do it again.

How to Teach Routines that Stick

There are 3 key words we swear by when teaching routines:

EXPLICIT

Explain exactly what you expect. Break it into steps. Narrate your thought process as you model it.

“Watch how I push in my chair and walk over to the carpet. My hands are by my sides, my voice is off, and I’m not touching anything on the way.”

SLOWLY

If it takes all morning to teach one routine, so be it. You’re setting the tone for the rest of the year—not just checking off a list.

The slower you go now, the smoother things go later.

REPEAT

Repetition builds independence. Revisit key routines daily until students don’t even have to think about what to do next.

Use Call and Response to Reinforce Expectations

One of our favorite tools for maintaining structure? Call and response routines.

Not only do they capture attention quickly, but they build classroom culture and give students a role in the routine.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Teacher: “Hands on top” → Students: “Everybody stop!”
• Teacher: “Peanut Butter” → Students: “Jelly Time!”
• Teacher: “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” → Students: “1, 2, 3 Eyes on you!”

Want something more personalized? Max uses rhythmic clapping patterns that students echo back. It’s simple, non-verbal, and super effective.

You Can’t Overteach Routines

In fact, most behavioral issues in the first month of school can be traced back to one thing: unclear expectations.

When routines are solid, students know what to do—and that frees you up to teach. It’s the difference between constant redirection… and a calm, confident classroom.

Example Routines to Teach the First Week:

• Entering the classroom in the morning
• Lining up (and what to do while waiting)
• How to clean up supplies
• What to do if your pencil breaks
• Raising your hand for help
• How to transition between activities
• Voice levels during different times of day
• What to do when you finish early

Let’s Hear From You!

We hope you found this post helpful! What are your must-teach routines for the first week of school?

Drop them in the comments or tag us on Instagram @smellsliketeachspirit so we can share your genius with the teacher community!

Want to Save Time?

Want to make your first week easier? Grab our Ultimate List of Kindergarten Routines to set routines and expectations with confidence from Day 1.

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The post How to Teach Kindergarten Routines the First Week of School! first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Despite these obstacles to our fitness, we do still need the benefits regular exercise brings.

The benefits of regular exercise include:

• Improved Mood
• Better Sleep
• Increased Energy
• Improved Brain Function
• Weight Management
• Reduced Stress

Exercise has been a wonderful outlet for both Max and I. It has provided us with a way to stay healthy, relieve stress and experience the other above listed benefits. As I said, finding time to exercise can be a challenge! But with the following list of easy ways for teachers to sneak exercise into their routine, we hope to help you kickstart your path to fitness!

5 Easy Ways For Teachers to Sneak Exercise into Their Routine (That Will Actually Work)!

1. Routine (be flexible!)
   • Success always starts with a plan. Determine exactly when you will exercise and for how long. Be realistic! It is definitely better to start for a short amount of time and then work up to something longer.
     Try your best to stick with it, while at the same time being flexible. What helps me stick to my routine is exercising at the same time of day. This will make it easier to become a habit.
2. Healthy Eating
   • This can definitely be a struggle for teachers. During the school day we are so busy it’s hard to find time to sit down and eat lunch, even during lunch break. It’s so easy to just grab a quick unhealthy snack and keep moving. Having a teachers lounge full of goodies doesn’t help either. Resist the teachers lounge!
     What helps me is packing a lunch at home…and not only lunch, but snacks (healthy ones!) too. Grapes and cheese sticks are my favorites. Max is a big fan of a lot of gluten-free crackers that are available in stores now. To help with lunch-packing, I have begun to cook more dinner than my family needs the night before so that I can bring the leftovers to work.
3. Coworkers
   • Can’t go it alone? Then grab a coworker with similar goals! I’ve seen coworkers, grade level teams and even entire schools join together to work toward a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few ways I’ve seen this executed:
     a. Many teachers find time to walk laps in the hallway before or after school. In one school I worked in there was teacher who led a workout class in her room once a week after school.
     b. At my first teaching job, some teachers did a quick workout during their lunch break in their rooms by following along with a video on their Smart board.
     c. That same district also had a fitness room available for staff use before and after school. If you’re fortunate enough to be in a similar situation, take advantage!
     d. At my most recent school we were all given pedometers and tried to have a contest to see who could get the most steps. Unfortunately, none of our pedometers worked correctly . But you get the idea. There are many opportunities to work our with others – you just have to think outside the box!
4. Think Ahead/Prep
   • If you know you are going to work out at a specific time, do whatever you need to do to make working out easier for you. For example, if you’re working out in the morning you might want to wear your workout clothes to bed. Or, have your workout clothes and shoes set out so you don’t have to search for them when you wake up. You can also have a water bottle waiting for you when you return.
5. Apps
   • If you like workouts prepared for you there are many options to choose from, such as exercise videos on social media. There are also many fitness apps available for download right to our phone. Two of my favorite apps to use are the Nike Training Club app and the Nike Run Club app. I’ve been using these apps for over 10 years. I’ve tried many other apps but these are the two that I always come back too. The Nike Training Club has various workout plans and exercise videos. The Nike Run Club app tracks my runs and keeps all of my running data in one place.

We hope that you find these ideas helpful! What other exercise tips would you add? Comment below and let us know! It’s never too late to start working for your fitness goals. There’s no time like the present, so what are you waiting for?

The post 5 Easy Ways For Teachers to Sneak Exercise into Their Routine (That Will Actually Work)! first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.