The end of the school year is the perfect time to show appreciation for the students, parents, colleagues, and support staff who made your year meaningful. This post shares creative, low-cost, and heartfelt gift ideas—including free printables—for each group. From student reading kits to thank-you notes for staff, you’ll find thoughtful, easy-to-implement ways to close out the year with gratitude (and minimal stress).

Worried about summer learning loss? This post is packed with practical, engaging, and free activities to help families and teachers prevent the summer slide. From daily reading strategies to creative writing, this post offers detailed, actionable ideas that support continued growth all summer long—without the stress. Perfect for teachers looking to empower parents or send students off with confidence.

Engaging students’ families during distance learning can be a challenge. Various work schedules, learning systems, and means of communication can make it difficult to connect with parents and guardians. However, there are a few simple ways to encourage family involvement even while teaching virtually.

I’ve invited Emily Levine, a third grade teacher, to share her ways of boosting parent involvement during distance learning. As always, I encourage you to choose one that works best for you and your particular students.

Three Simple Ways to Improve Communication with Families | One of the best ways to improve relationships with your students is to build strong connections with their families. With all there is to do, this can be difficult to do. Here are three simple ways to make it work. | everythingjustso.org #parentcommunication #classroommanagement #upperelementary