Sprinkle some fun and cleverness into your teaching routine with these 10 tried-and-true teacher hacks!
Set the mood with cozy lighting and curated playlists that get your students grooving. Quiet a boisterous class with a whisper or use colored lights or flags for clear communication. Create calming white spaces and encourage mindful moments of “chill, still” time. Flip the script and let students teach you, sparking deeper learning. Explore the fascinating world of AI with fun challenges and embrace student-led tech tool discoveries. And remember, sometimes the best hack is to simply do nothing by encouraging brain breaks!
Teacher Hack 1: Set the Mood with Lighting
Like staging a home for a quick sale, the right lighting can transform your classroom! Ditch the harsh fluorescent glare and create a warm, inviting space with lamps and soft white or yellow bulbs. Not only will it save energy, but it’ll also make your students feel relaxed and ready to learn. (For a cozy vibe, use lamps instead of overhead lighting in your house too! 🙂).
Teacher Hack 2: Dance Party Brain Breaks
Get those wiggles out and boost the classroom energy with a spontaneous dance party! Craft playlists for different moods or activities – something upbeat for Monday mornings, a celebratory tune to play after a test, or a get-it-out-of-your-system jam when things get a bit chaotic. Let students take turns DJing for extra engagement!
Teacher Hack 3: The Power of the Whisper
Ever noticed how a whisper can instantly command attention? Harness that magic in your classroom! When the noise level rises, try lowering your voice instead of raising it. You might be surprised how quickly a hush falls over the room.
Teacher Hack 4: Traffic Light Communication
Borrow a trick from the poolside! Use a simple green flag in the yard (swing by for a swim), yellow (invite only), or red (just us today!) system (flags, lights, whatever works!) to communicate expectations. With students, green means full steam ahead with group work, yellow signals independent work time, and red means everyone freezes and listens. Simple, visual, effective!
Teacher Hack 5: Embrace the White Space
Give your students’ eyes (and brains!) a break. Just like a well-designed room requires “breathing room,” so does your classroom. Leave some wall space empty for visual calm which creates a less overwhelming environment, especially for students who are sensitive to stimuli.
Teacher Hack 6: Chill, Still, and Recharge
Even the busiest bees need a moment to buzz down. Schedule short “Chill, Still” breaks where students complete a simple task without asking questions, followed by quiet downtime for drawing, reading, or simply zoning out. It’s a mini-reset for everyone!
Teacher Hack 7: Role Reversal
Turn the tables and let your students become the teachers by having them explain a concept or skill back to you. It’s an innovative way to assess understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and reinforce learning through teaching.
Teacher Hack 8: The AI Detective Challenge
Spark curiosity and critical thinking with an AI vs. human writing challenge! Have students analyze different writing samples then try to guess which was written by AI. It’s a fun way to discuss the growing role of AI and its ethical implications.
Teacher Hack 9: Tech Tool Time
Tap into your students’ tech-savviness! Dedicate time each week for them to showcase their favorite apps or online tools. It’s a win-win – you get to stay in the loop, and they get to shine as the experts.
Teacher Hack 10: The Art of Doing Nothing
“Whatever the brain is doing while apparently doing nothing, is actually profoundly important.”
—Unknown
Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is…nothing! Encourage your students to embrace moments of stillness and let their minds wander. It might look like daydreaming, but it’s actually essential brain work!
About the Author
Susanne Leslie is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Education. As a parent educator, Susanne’s specialty is Culture and Early Childhood instruction. In her current role, she writes courses and content, focusing on our Hybrid Blended Learning courses.
Fun Fact: Susanne has jumped out of two (perfectly good) airplanes!
