10 Teaching Strategies I’m Carrying Into Next Year
Okay bestie, it’s that time of year—you know the one. The school year is winding down, and your teacher brain is already half living in May and half planning August. And if you’re anything like me, this is when you start thinking: What from this year absolutely worked? What made life easier, more joyful, and more successful for both me and my students?
This post is my teacher heart on a platter: ten things I absolutely loved this year and will 100% be bringing into next year. So whether you’re a veteran looking for a reset or a new teacher wondering what’s actually worth the hype, I got you.
1. Morning Meeting: My Forever Favorite
If you’ve followed me for more than two minutes, you already know—I cannot shut up about morning meeting. It is:
My classroom management system
My SEL foundation
My relationship-building goldmine
My classroom's safe place
The four parts (message, greeting, sharing, and activity) are where the magic happens. I will never stop talking about morning meeting because it literally transforms classrooms.
Why it works:
Builds classroom community
Helps students self-regulate
Creates consistency that students crave
2. No More Rewards for Bare Minimum
No classroom rewards? Yep, I said it. I don’t give out rewards for expected behaviors. The expectation is the expectation.
My mindset is: You’re not getting a reward for cleaning up after yourself or following directions. That’s just part of being in our learning community.
What I do instead:
Praise specific behaviors
Celebrate progress
Use class games as incentives (more on that next!)
3. Team Captains Over Class Jobs
Class jobs used to feel like a part-time job for me to manage. So I simplified: enter the Team Captain.
Each table/team has one designated person per week. If I need anything passed out, picked up, collected, or handled—team captains do it. Done.
Why I love it:
Less micromanaging
More student leadership
Super easy to rotate weekly
4. Routines & Procedures Get a Refresh
If we return from a long weekend or break, I don’t assume my students magically remember expectations. I reteach routines. I review procedures. I play games to practice them.
When I do routine refreshers:
After any break (long or short)
When things start slipping mid-week
Anytime behaviors are feeling a little too loose
5. Class Games: My Engagement Lifeline
Games = classroom glue. Whether it’s for transitions, brain breaks, or end-of-day incentives, I pull from my ever-growing list of class games all the time.
Why games are a must:
They build community
They provide structure to "fun time"
They are sneaky SEL skill builders
Looking for a game to start with? Try Pass the Apple or Secret Word—both are low-prep and high-fun.
6. Seasonal Escape Rooms = Holiday Lifesaver
Holiday chaos? Not in my classroom. My go-to move is a seasonal escape room. Whether it’s Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or St. Patrick’s Day, my students are engaged and learning.
Why they work:
Feel like a game
Center academic content
Students are self-paced and self-directed
Escape the Classroom Year Long Bundle. Reading Skills Escape the Room
Do you love using Escape the classrooms to review literacy skills while also encouraging persistence, teamwork, and fun?
LOOK no further! This bundle has all you need to ensure that your reading skills are reviewed and allow students to have fun.
7. Yes to Classroom Volunteers
I used to be scared of classroom volunteers. What will I have them do? Won’t it be more work for me?
Then I met Grandpa Curtis.
He worked with my students on phonics three times a week, and it was life-changing. You don’t need a perfect plan—just invite them in.
Tips:
Be specific with tasks (ex: fluency practice, organizing, reading)
Use them for small group support
Don’t be afraid to let them learn alongside you
8. Parent Phone Calls: Don’t Be Scared
Call home. Tell them how their kid is doing. Let them know what’s going well. Or what’s not. Either way—connect.
Parents want to know. It’s better to build that bridge early rather than scramble later.
My approach:
Keep it short and kind
Share one thing going well
Share one concern or need
9. My Lesson Planner Lives on Paper
I wanted to be a digital planning girly. I tried. But my heart belongs to a paper planner.
I buy a cute Walmart planner and write out my weekly plans:
Lesson objectives
Engagement strategy
Check for understanding
Simple. Fast. It works for me.
10. Students Tracking Their Own Data
Yes, even in upper elementary. Your students deserve to know where they are. Whether they’re struggling or soaring, it matters.
How I do it:
Regular progress checks
Personal data trackers
Quick reflection questions like "How did I grow this week?"
It builds ownership. It builds motivation. It builds learners who take themselves seriously.
Let Me Know What You’re Keeping!
These ten things? They’re my classroom non-negotiables. They’ve made a difference for me and my students, and they’re coming with me every year, forever and ever.
What are you planning to keep from this year into next? DM me on Instagram or TikTok and let’s chat!
And if you want done-for-you resources for anything mentioned here (from morning meeting to escape rooms), check out my store on TPT!
