
The new school year is an exciting time for learning—for both students and teachers. As you and your class learn more about each other, you can explore new ideas and teaching strategies that helps everyone in the classroom grow as learners.
Below, you'll find a collection of back-to-school articles and activities, classroom management ideas, and the latest education insights. Bookmark this page, so you can easily find free resources and professional learning tools to help you throughout the school year!

Ease the first-day-jitters! Explore three first-day-jitters activities that you can implement in your first grade classroom year after year.

Explore 10 fun classroom icebreaker activities to get students to open up so they are ready to learn.

A new school year is the perfect time to revisit classroom routines and procedures. Find some tips for your classroom here.

Our first-day-of-school checklist for teachers will help get the new school year off to a great start.

Learn new strategies for maintaining communication between school and home from elementary school teacher, Katie Radovich.

Try these back-to-school getting-to-know-you activities to help students discover more about their classmates on the first day of class.

These first-day-of-school icebreakers for high school students will help your class get to know one another while having fun.

A quick guide for how to start a student podcast, with tips and tricks for teachers for the whole recording process

Check out our first-day-of-school icebreaker activities for middle school students. Using icebreakers will help ease everyone back into the school routine.

Teachers can use these fun back-to-school icebreaker activities for elementary students in the classroom or remotely.

These math icebreakers are games and activities that span all grades to help math teachers get students practicing math while getting to know one another.

Get back into science with these back-to-school activities for middle school science.

Technology is a powerful tool that can positively impact learning. Explore the pros and potential cons of technology use in the classroom.

Stay up-to-date on the latest in EdTech with educational technology articles and resources for teachers on trending topics.

Take your class on learning adventures across the country and around the world. This is how to create a virtual field trip for students that will engage and delight them.

Explore guidelines for integrating reading technology in the classroom in support of literacy learning when working with your tech-savvy students.

Find out the answer to the question, “What is adaptive learning technology?” Plus, discover ways you can use adaptive learning programs in the classroom.

Think you know the answer to the question: “Why is technology important in education? The advantages go beyond student engagement and saving teachers time. Here, we break down tech’s benefits.
AI in the Classroom

In this article, we explore what policymakers can do to support educators in using artificial intelligence (AI) to save time so they can focus on student engagement.

We break down the pros and cons of AI in education to help you harness the advantages of this technology while minimizing the risks.

In this bite-sized episode, host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Andrew Goldman, founder of Writable and EVP of HMH Labs. Together, they dig deeper into HMH's Educator Confidence Report survey results and share what educators really think about AI use in schools.

Find guidance on AI for special education teachers, including a framework for using artificial intelligence in special education.

Peninsula School District leaders Kris Hagel and John Yellowlees join us to discuss how to integrate and embrace AI in education. Plus, they share leading principles and strategies to guide students in using AI ethically.

What will be trending in education in 2025? Host Kailey Rhodes sits down with Classcraft cofounder and HMH’s SVP of product management and strategy Shawn Young to discuss 2025 education predictions. They cover topics like simplifying EdTech, leaning on AI tech tools to build teacher-student relationships, and bringing the “human element" into technology.

Find tips on setting classroom expectations for students. Use these classroom management strategies to ensure that each day runs smoothly.

Read why classroom management is important in ensuring a successful school year and find classroom management strategies to use in your classroom.

What makes an effective first year teacher? Developing a successful classroom management strategy is an important first step on your teacher journey.

Get your new school year off to a great start by implementing these classroom management strategies for elementary teachers.

These high school classroom management strategies will create an environment where students feel respected, nurtured, and safe to express themselves.

Create a healthy and happy learning environment with middle school classroom management strategies that are rooted in brain science.

Discover what is small group instruction and how it can give your students a more personalized learning experience.

This article shares ideas on how to integrate the science of reading and evidenced-based instructional techniques in small-group reading instruction.

Here we provide differentiated instruction strategies and examples that teachers can use to ensure students have choices for the way that they learn new information, practice skills, and demonstrate understanding.

Learn more about the four key elements of differentiation—content, process, product, and learning environment—and how they can guide your differentiated instruction in the classroom.

Browse our catalog of differentiated instruction articles and resources for teachers. Find new ways to individualize learning in the classroom.

Try creating choice boards for students. These activity menus are a great way to differentiate learning, which can increase student engagement and improve academic outcomes.

Learn more about defining and improving your school culture with helpful tips and a planning template.

Learn the difference between school climate and school culture and how both play important roles in shaping a welcoming and supportive learning environment.

How do you foster a sense of safety and belonging so students can focus their energy on learning? These strategies for building community in the classroom will help.

Ready to help your kiddos develop meaningful relationships and connect with their classmates? Try these classroom community-building activities for elementary students.

Learn more about classroom jobs for students and how they benefit everyone in the learning environment.

Noelle Morris, HMH Senior Director of Community Engagement (front row, second from left), with Teacher Ambassadors Renae Kuhn, Toney Jackson, and Kayla Dyer, leads a high-energy, instructional best practices session at Model Schools Conference 2022.
Hear from Noelle Morris, HMH Senior Director of Community Engagement, on the Teacher's Corner community and the next steps in our advocacy program.
Intervention strategies

Need to catch kids up or move them forward? Try these research-backed accelerated learning techniques.

Learn to address students' unique academic and behavioral needs with different types of classroom interventions.

These math intervention strategies for struggling students provide lessons, activities, and ideas to support Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 math students who are two or more years behind grade level.

Hear from educators about a new approach to intervention that’s raising student achievement in the Wayne-Westland Community School District, outside Detroit.

In order to accelerate students’ reading to grade-level proficiency, here is a list of reading intervention strategies to help students make progress.

Learn more about intervention strategies to help improve student outcomes in your school and district.
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This blog post, originally published in 2020, has been updated for 2025. Be sure to subscribe to the Shaped newsletter for monthly news, insights, and resources straight to your inbox!
The views expressed in our blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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