The Journal

What makes your classroom unique?

Written by Marci Monson | Aug 26, 2025 8:05:37 PM

As we celebrate this month of returning to school and welcoming students to their new classes, we know that can be a little scary — both for the students and the teachers!

I still remember the nerves and excitement I had on the first day of school each year. Excitement over fresh school supplies (I’m still a sucker for a fresh notebook and a new pen)! Nervousness over whether or not I would have friends in my classes. Would my teachers be nice?

Many teachers have similar thoughts: Will my students like me? Will everyone get along? Do I still remember how to do this?

There's no better time than a new school year to celebrate a new “community.” We want to share with you a free lesson plan adapted from our newest national second-grade resource: Exploring Near and Far. Originally meant to help children explore their communities, we’re narrowing it down to exploring their newest community: your classroom.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free lesson plan to explore your classroom with your students.