🗑 Our big "back to school" edition

And I'm going back in the classroom -- again!

Author

Matt Miller
July 29, 2025

🍎 I’m headed back to school, too!

I know, I know …

If you’re like me, you see those words “back to school” and it’s a crushing blow to the summer vibes you’ve tried to keep going through these last couple months.

But when the end of July comes around, for many of us, it’s time to lock in.

And this year, I’m no exception, because …

I’m going back in the classroom — again!

Just got the keys to my new classroom.

Last time I told you about this, I took a semester-long teaching assignment, teaching all the high school Spanish classes I had taught in my first 11 years in the classroom. I was breaking an eight-year hiatus from full-time teaching to come back.

This time, some things are the same …

  • SAME school (where my kids go and where my wife teaches)

  • SAME students (I’ve taught every student on my roster this year)

… and some things are different!

  • I’m teaching ONE class period a day (Spanish 3).

  • I’m teaching it in-person all year long.

  • I’m in a different classroom.

“Wait, Matt … one class period a day?!? Really??”

Yes, really! The school needed someone who had the credentials to teach dual credit Spanish 3. It’ll be a first-period (~8:15 to 9:00 am) class. I might really really love it — or I might decide that I was crazy for trying it. Either way, I’m all in.

“But are you still going to do Ditch That Textbook???”

Yep. Same newsletters. Same presentations at schools and school districts. (There’s a first-period study hall where they can send my students when I’m not there.)

The only change you’ll really notice is that I’ll talk about life in my classroom and school from time to time — like I did last time.

Now, on to the “back to school” content! (Because I need it this year just as much as you do!)

Inside:

  • ✏️ Get students begging for more writing time

  • 👀 DTT Digest: 4 resources worth checking out

  • 💡 The Big Idea: The ultimate back-to-school guide

  • 🎯 Quick Teaching Strategy: Ditch the boring back-to-school PD

  • 😄 Smile of the day: Who would DO such a thing????

  • 👋 How we can help

📝 Groovelit: Irresistible writing practice in just 10 minutes a day

Groovelit transforms hesitant 5th-10th grade writers into confident storytellers — no magic wand needed.

With just 10 minutes of gamified writing a day, students start asking for more time with argumentative writing, creative narratives, and vocabulary challenges.

Groovelit makes it easy to create those unforgettable classroom moments when students find their voice—and love using it. 

  • 🏆 Packed with points, badges, and friendly competition

  • 🔁 Fully customizable to your curriculum

  • ✏️ Helps build a strong classroom writing culture.

  • 🎁 Hundreds of ready-to-use game packs, organized by theme and designed to spark engagement in the game library.

✨ Use Groovelit Basic FREE — and enjoy a 30 day trial of Groovelit Go when you sign up!

👀 DTT Digest

4 teaching resources worth checking out today

🎯 QUICK TEACHING STRATEGY 🎯

🎒 Back-to-school PD doesn’t have to be boring

Professional development should inspire, not drain. If you're planning PD or just hoping your staff kickoff doesn't include another hour of PowerPoint slides, this article is for you.

In our post — 12 engaging activities to rock your back-to-school PD — you'll find a mix of fresh, fun, and flexible ideas to bring energy, creativity, and collaboration into your professional learning days. These activities are perfect for building relationships, sparking discussion, and setting a positive tone for the year.

1. Kick things off with a digital escape room

Spark critical thinking and collaboration by challenging staff to solve puzzles together! These digital escape rooms are fun, free, and great for team building.

2. Give teachers choice in how they learn

Just like students, teachers thrive when they have options. Use a PD Explore Board or Summer PD Bingo to offer self-paced, personalized PD. Bonus: It also models effective instructional strategies!

3. Create superhero trading cards

Tap into your staff’s creativity by asking: If you were an edtech superhero, what would your powers be? With free tools like Microsoft Designer and Canva templates, teachers can design and share their own trading cards.

4. Send them on a school scavenger hunt

With apps like GooseChase EDU or printable versions, a scavenger hunt gets teachers up, moving, and connecting. It’s a fantastic way to build culture and familiarize staff with new spaces.

5. Introduce yourselves with ScreenPal videos

Break the ice before you even meet in person by using ScreenPal to create short intro videos. Teachers can share a bit about themselves and their goals for the year.

6. Play school-themed games

Gamify PD with school-themed Pictionary, Kahoot-style trivia, or even a Family Feud-style game! These bring laughter and boost engagement while modeling classroom-friendly strategies.

These aren’t your typical PD sessions — they’re experiences that build community, inspire curiosity, and model best practices for the classroom. Whether you're leading the learning or just want to suggest something new, these ideas are ready to plug and play.

💡 THE BIG IDEA 💡

🚌 Your one-stop back-to-school resource shop

Looking to start the school year strong with fresh ideas, interactive resources, and creative energy?

Our Ultimate Back-to-School Guide is a one-stop treasure trove of engaging content to kick off the year with inspiration — whether you're prepping for PD, planning student activities, or revamping your classroom setup.

We took some of the best resources from our mega back-to-school post and created an interactive ebook for you to keep on hand during these busy weeks as we head back to school.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Engaging first-week and student activity ideas

From "All About Me" activities to HyperDocs designed for the first days of school, there’s a wide variety of plug-and-play resources you can use as-is or adapt to your own classroom needs. You'll also find curated read-aloud suggestions like "The Kissing Hand" and "The King of Kindergarten" to spark joy and community.

Editable icebreakers & interactive games

Break the ice with fun, ready-to-use activities perfect for building relationships and classroom culture. You'll find resources like "Would You Rather," "Classmate Bingo," and "Roll and Tell," along with Flippity Word Scrambles and Searches.

Tech tool refreshers

Get organized and up-to-speed! This guide includes resources for G Suite Training HyperDocs, Google Docs Scavenger Hunts, and Chromebook Care Presentations. These activities show how to ditch "sit-and-get" sessions in favor of hands-on, visually engaging learning for both you and your students.

Classroom management and planning templates

Streamline your back-to-school setup with customizable templates! Discover Canva templates for Google Classroom headers, slide planning, worksheets, and presentations. Plus, you'll find "Welcome to Our Class" flipbooks and "Meet the Teacher" templates to help you set expectations and structure from day one.

😄 Smile of the day

The sheer audacity of a "Back-to-school" email in July … 😱

Source: We Are Teachers

👋 How we can help

There are even more ways I can support you in the important work you do in education:

  1. Read one of my six books about meaningful teaching with tech.

  2. Take one of our online courses about practical and popular topics in education.

  3. Bring me to your school, district or event to speak. I love working with educators!

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