With the 4th of July behind us, the dust from the 2024-2025 school year has settled, and teachers across the country are starting to think about, dare we say it? Back to school! Whether you’ve only got a few weeks before heading back to the classroom (I’m lookin’ at you, Texas teachers!), or you are […] The post Classroom Updates for Back to School 2025 appeared first on Teaching Channel.
With the 4th of July behind us, the dust from the 2024-2025 school year has settled, and teachers across the country are starting to think about, dare we say it? Back to school!
Whether you’ve only got a few weeks before heading back to the classroom (I’m lookin’ at you, Texas teachers!), or you are able to savor almost two more months (Can you feel the jealousy, Michigan?), it’s likely you have already started mentally preparing for your return to the classroom.
This calm before the storm is the perfect time to rethink some of the tried and true routines from your classroom. Below, we’ve listed some classroom strategies that we at Teaching Channel are reflecting on over the summer. If you are looking to try something new, or make changes in any of these areas, check out the included resources!
Are the assignments you are using in your class relevant and up-to-date?
If you are looking to freshen up your resources, Teaching Channel has you covered. Check out Susanne Leslie’s article “12 Educational Resources that Rise to the Top” for groups and organizations providing current and engaging resources and curriculum. If you’re more interested in updating your technology, Marcee Harris has your back in “Top Tech Tools for Teachers in 2025”.
Are your students reflected in the assignments you give?
If you’re bored using the same references you’ve used for the last 10 years, or your students describe your assignments as “cringe,” start by reading “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Doors” by Hannah Wilson of Diverse Educators. Teaching Channel also boasts tons of resources for reflecting different student identities on our K12 Hub, but “8 Books to Celebrate Pride and Support Student Representation” by Betsy Butler is an uplifting and very current post!
How are you using AI in the classroom?
Whether you’re a seasoned AI veteran or you are just dipping your toe in the water, “65 AI Prompts for Lesson Planning” is a great place to start. If you are wondering how to “Outsmart the Bots,” Sarah Murphy discusses strategies in “5 Strategies to Create AI-resistant Assignments”. Wondering how to incorporate AI guidelines? Ryan Watkins of Medium discusses this in his How-To Guide, “Update Your Course Syllabus for ChatGPT.”
What supplies will you need throughout the school year?
If you closed your classroom door for the summer and thought, “That’s a future me problem”, we recommend you start with another blog I wrote, “7 Steps to Declutter Your Classroom at the End of the Year”. If you are already daydreaming about fresh notebooks and smooth gliding pens, check out the Passionate Penny Pincher’s guide to back-to-school shopping: Back to School Sales 2025.
Is homework necessary?
I spent a fair amount of my teaching career debating if homework was necessary. Unfortunately, I never came to a hard and fast conclusion. I noticed my approach changed from year to year based on what I had learned before and the set of students I had in front of me. To expand your thinking on homework, check out these resources from Brian McGrath at TIMEforKids, “Do Kids Need Homework?” and Oxford Learning, “The Pros and Cons of Homework”.
As with any new habit, start small. Choose one or two areas to update, try something new, and see what works. Sometimes a small change is all it takes to shift your whole year!
About the Author
Amy Szczepanski (she/her) is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.S. in both Biology and Environmental Science, a Master’s in Teaching, and has been teaching since 2014. Amy uses her experience to create highly engaging and effective content for both teachers and students. She loves all things STEM and is passionate about teacher advocacy.
Fun fact: Amy’s favorite hobby is taking long walks through New York City searching for delicious treats.
The post Classroom Updates for Back to School 2025 appeared first on Teaching Channel.
