Calm Classroom Ideas

 As we return to the classroom, it has never been as important to create a safe and calm learning environment for students and staff.

Here are a couple of ideas of things I use in the classroom to create a sense of calm!

Yoga

A couple of years ago, I did a few great yoga workshops with Ciara Delaney from the IPPEA. She went through some lovely sequences of yoga that could be done in the class.

We also explored creating stories from the yoga poses. The children can also invent their own stories incorporating yoga poses for the class.

Here is an example of some free cards that you could use to get started and explore some sequences!

                                

If you want to find little videos on yoga for children, have a look at Go Noodle and Cosmic Kids Yoga.

Relaxing Music 

Simply type this into Youtube and you will have loads of options to set a calm atmosphere in the class.

Mindful Colouring 

Play some relaxing music and get colouring, you can find thousands of these online. 

                            

Mindfulness Programme

You could also follow a programme for Mindfulness. I bought the Mindfulness in the Classroom book by Michele Gallen a couple of years ago.  As I return to the classroom this year, I have it dusted off and have it ready to go. 

It does give you teacher homework  (you have to also do the lessons!)  A fabulous resource that contains everything you need to get started. (Click on photo for link).

                                                

All About Me Sheet (FREEBIE!)

 On the first few days back to school, I always do a worksheet like this with the students. It is a great way for me to get to know the children and a nice activity to help them settle into your class.

                                             

We usually display them in the class for a bit and then I keep them in my folder so I can glance back every now and again!  I have included an English & Irish version so you can choose which you prefer (or do both!)

Click on the image below to download this freebie!

I hope it makes the first few days back to school a little earlier.

Here is another version I use with the older classes. Click on it to download.

See other back to school posts here.

5 printable resources for First Day Back (all Freebies!)

Here are five sheets I will have printed for my first day or two back in the classroom.

1. Checklist Page for Homework Diary

I print this out each year and get the children to attach it to the inside cover of their homework diary. It does take some training in getting them to use it, but it does give them clear expectations on what you expect from homework.

You an download it here.

All About Me Sheet

A nice way to get to know the children on the first day back. Other ideas of Back to School Activities can be found in another post by clicking here. Click on the image to download it for free.

Mental Maths Sheet

I stick this into the back of their mental maths book.  During the first few weeks back to school, we add key maths language for addition, subtraction etc. as we come across them in our book. This can be used as an aid for the children as the year progresses. Children can also add in their own facts and maths language that they find tricky. You an download this freebie  here.

                                                 

Bookmarks

I print these on card to make them a bit more durable. The children can decorate them and the idea is each time they complete a book they record the name of it on the bookmark, seeing their collection grow (hopefully!) as the year progresses.

                                

Summer Memories Worksheet

This is another freebie that is differentiated and can be used in all class levels. It is useful as an oral language activity,  to revise recount writing and to see the starting point for each child. I sometimes bind them altogether and make our first class book of the year. Click on the image to download 3 different options.

                                               

If you find these useful, please rate them on my TPT store! :)

Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

First Day Back to School Activities

We all have different routines for our first day back to school. Some like to get straight into a routine with the children while others like to settle in without the textbooks or too much formal teaching.  Either way, I have listed some activities for the first day back to school that can be used for different subjects.

1.Rules (SPHE)
I always incorporate our class rules into an SPHE lesson in the first week. You made decide to come up with class rules together or have them ready previously. It's a good way to set clear expectations for the children.

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2. Summer Memories (Art/English Writing & Oral Language/Gaeilge)
This is a nice activity that allows the children to discuss their summer holidays. Depending on the level you teach it can be differentiated with a range of worksheets available. A senior class may be able to do it in Irish. Find it here

3. Get to know your students activity (link)
I always use this on the first day as it gives me an indication of each child's interests, helping me to get to know them better. Download one for free here

4. Take a class photo

When everyone is looking smart in their new uniforms/clothes, today is a good day to get a class photo for your class blog or the door of your classroom.

Say Cheese!

5. Beginning of Year Prayer (Religious Education)
Depending on the type of school you work in, you may decide to ask each child to write their own Beginning of Year Prayer.  If your school is not affiliated to a Religion, you could do a Hopes & Aspirations Paragraph instead.

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6. Allocate class jobs (SPHE)
I always delegate jobs to the children (which we usually change weekly). Start as you mean to go on by assigning jobs to the children. With older children, you could ask them to 'apply' for jobs by completing a form or letter of application.
This is a nice editable jobs list.
Classroom jobs

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7. Interview their partner (English Oral Language/Gaeilge)
If the children don't know each other, this is a good icebreaker to learn more about their classmates. You could play musical chairs to meet more of their new classmates. If they already know each other, ask the children to do the interview in Irish or another language. This is also a good opportunity for you to assess their ability informally.


8. We all fit in display (Art) 
This is a lovely First Day Back activity, allowing you to get to know the children and create a class display at the same time! Find the banners and jigsaw pieces on http://displays.tpet.co.uk/

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9. Maths
Mental Maths is a nice way to engage the children again. It also helps to identify areas that you need to revise over the first few weeks.

10. Circle Time (Drama)

A good way to allow the children to introduce themselves to you and the other pupils and to make everyone feel comfortable and settled. It could be simple clapping games, Chinese whispers or Follow the Leader action games.

11. Poetry (English/Oral language)

I came across this cute poem on Pinterest!

12. Read a Book
Who doesn't like to listen to their teacher read to them (good habit to start on the first day anyways!)? Last year, I read 'The Dot' to my class. You can read more about the boo and related activities in another post by clicking here.

Feel free to add some more ideas below!

Find other Back to School Posts here:

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

It's a time of year when the to-do lists start to grow and it can be difficult to get back into school mode. This checklist below might make it that bit easier to start organising a few bits for September.

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1. Folders/Dividers

I always try to have my folders (not usually with much in them!) ready before the school year begins. Generally, I have a Planning Folder, Assessment Folder and a General Class file one too. I have a free set of dividers available in my TpT store.

Folder Headings

2. Timetable

While sometimes it can be difficult to have a finalised timetable (until you find out P.E. times, times when support teachers may be coming into your class or taking children out), it is useful to have a rough timetable ready before returning.

3. Your Desk

My desk usually doesn't stay clean for very long, but heading back is always a good time to get it organised/cleared out.  I always keep a copy of my timetable and a jar for pens/stampers on it.
I also have a tray to store sheet & handouts we are currently working on.
These are some cute storage boxes I purchased in Tiger for my desk.

4. Bulletin Boards/Classroom Labels

I usually don't put up too much before the school year starts but there are some things that will stay up for the whole year, such as labels, your name on the door, classroom rules etc.
Even having them downloaded and ready to print is useful.

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For Irish teachers, I have a Gaeilge version of classroom signs available here.

5. Classroom Organisation

Have you got enough chairs/tables in your room? Are they organised in groups/rows? I often change the table arrangement as the year progresses as it often depends on the particular class and the age group.


I have set up a back to School section of my TpT store which might have some useful rewards, posters and activities to start off the new year! :)

Back to School Resources

Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

  

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

1. Timetable bathroom breaks

Gone is the luxury of popping into the loo when you need to. You have 30 seconds to get to the bathroom before you photocopy those handouts, make a coffee and get back to class before the bell goes! (If you are super fast, you might even get a quick bite of your lunch...)

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2. 'Teacher Clothes' make a comeback

It's time to root out the 'Yard Duty' coat and find all the 'teachery' clothes that have been thrown to the back of your wardrobe for the last few months. Gone are the comfy PJ's, slippers and tracksuits.

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3. Alarm Clock

Unfortunately, it's time to find and reset the dreaded alarm clock, adding in 5 or 6 extra wake up calls for the first day back for fear of sleeping in (if you manage to sleep at all!).

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4. Lunchtime

Lunch doesn't seem as exciting as it did during the summer. The task of trying to find a lunchbox and lid that match from the mountain of lunchboxes in your cupboard begins.  When the enthusiasm of creating interesting lunched wears off, you probably won't want to see a sandwich for the rest of the term!  On the plus side, heading out for lunch at the weekend becomes a novelty again!

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5. Attempt to reset your body clock

Gone are the boxset binges on Netflix into the early hours and morning lie ins. It's time to attempt to go to bed early...shouldn't be a problem after the first day back!

6. Stock up on red pens

To feel somewhat organised and ready for the new year, bundles of red pens are a necessity! By the end of the first week, you'll be lucky if most of them haven't disappeared from your desk.

7. Shopping List

Returning to school means you need to be organised. Here's a help with your weekly shopping list: wine, chocolate, laminating pouches, crisps...

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8. The most important one of all.....

Once you have ticked all of the checklist above, set yourself a countdown to the midterm break! :)

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Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School