My 24 Teacher Favourites of 2024

It is hard to believe 2024 is coming to an end. I started at one school and ended at another and along the way had some favourites that got me through the year.

Here are my 24 Teacher Favourites of 2024:

1. My Ultimate Student Dashboard - this is my third year using it and honestly I can't go back to another data tracking system. With an abundance of papers already as a teacher it is so nice to know everything is in one tab when it comes to data tracking.

2. The Hub. I hated searching through my Google Drive to find things and I always forgot what I named them. So again, I wanted to try and have all my most-used teacher links in one tab. I created The Hub a couple years back as a freebie. If you want to learn how I use it check out my highlight on Instagram where I walk through how to use it.

3. Classroom Job Wheel - I always forget to switch classroom jobs, can never keep track of who has done what and didn't love how every display takes up so much wall space. So I created this and just give it one turn every week.

4. Ready to Teach unit plans - I use my Ready to Teach unit plans for math and they are great because they are truly no prep, go beyond the traditional worksheet and are designed for not only the 21st century students but also the tired teacher who is not given enough prep time to create engaging lessons. They are designed to instil problem solving, collaboration, math conversations and movement.

5. Wipebooks - we recently got some for our grade 3 classes and they are great for some vertical learning and working together on problems

6. BOREDOM early finisher chart. I use this acronym for my early finishers

7. Sharpie felt tip pens - I know everyone is a Flair lover (don't get me wrong I also use Flair pens) but I love these ones.

8. Teacher snack cupboard - I love keeping some of my go-to healthy snacks for those busy days when I need a little something extra

9. Parent Communication Guides - I started making these as a way to build the bridge of communication between home and school and wanted to pop them on as a freebie for teachers too. Check them out here

10. Front loading my day - Getting my movement in before school, doing TPT and school prep and saving the evenings for relaxing/socializing

11. LINKED Back to School Team Builder/Icebreaker - thanks for all your love on this one. I did it with my class and it is still up on display

12. Memory wall - I capture photos of our learning and put them on our memory wall. They love looking at the pictures and it is a great way to build classroom community

13. Using file folders (aka magazine holders) instead of desks. I like the natural movement it provides and it also makes switching desks around easier. It also keeps junk out of desks.

14. Outdoor learning - I will always advocate for movement and fresh air for students - promotes student health and wellbeing, collaboration, fine & gross motor development, builds a relationship with the planet & a great vehicle to help teach the curriculum

15. Playing classroom games - for community building, just for fun & as a great break

16. These pants from Lululemon - great to dress up or dress down and super comfortable

17. Sweater dresses - the perfect winter outfit because it is grab & go. Great to dress up, dress down and perfect to throw in my gym bag before school

18. This Vaseline stick as a lip balm

19. This projector remote. I like to move around the room while I'm teaching and this allows me to do just that

20. Soft start mornings - this is the perfect way for students to get settled in my opinion. I set a timer for ten minutes and they have the opportunity to choose how to start their day - STEM bins, reading, writing, catch up work, chatting with a friend, math games, etc.

21. Assigned line up spots. This is one I have used since I started teaching and I will never go back on. I don't have a line leader or ever switch their spots. I just keep them in attendance order and that doesn't change throughout the year. It takes the guessing out for them, there is no arguing over who goes first and no "butting."

22. The First 5: No Prep Back to School Activities - I got off a plane from our honeymoon and quite literally dove right into the first day of school. Having this resource ready to go for the first week was a game changer. If you know me, I'm all about building community & relationships and using that as the foundation for everything else.

23. The Anxious Generation/audiobooks in general - I think this is a great read for anyone who works with or is around children in any capacity. I love listening to audiobooks on my long commute. I highly recommend this book

24. My sunrise alarm clock. I wake up earlier than my husband and he got this for me last year because my alarm was also waking him up....not ideal. I love that it gradually wakes me up and honestly I feel more awake rather than having a stark alarm. I love mine!

25. Lastly, the Teachergram/Teachertok communities. My favourite part is connecting with people and sharing ideas/learning from each other.

What are your 2024 favourites?

Happy New Year! Here's to 2025!

Jayme

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