Tools Teachers Can Use This Summer to Plan a Successful School Year
Summer is right around the corner, which means the school year is winding down. While students can't wait for summer sleep-ins, camp fun, and downtime with friends, many teachers, believe it or not, look forward to planning for the next school year, but on the more relaxed schedule that summer break brings. So we’re making school-year planning more efficient by compiling our most valuable resources in one place. Our first-ever Teacher Toolkit helps reduce the planning stress that comes with summer by connecting educators with strategies and resources to utilize the entire school year.
Over time, the Rutgers Alternate Route blog has evolved into a must-visit for educators, offering information backed by research, expert advice from educators in the field, and perspectives from our candidates. This 2025 Teacher Toolkit provides one-stop access to our various blogs that feature subject-specific resources, general teaching tips, and ideas for supporting students from various backgrounds, sparing educators from time-consuming searches that cut into their summer vacation.
Whether you'll be in your backyard, at the beach, in the mountains, or across the ocean traveling abroad, you can take these blogs with you to deepen your understanding of student backgrounds and offer engaging learning strategies. Read on to start planning.
Resources by Subject
No more sifting through dozens of blog posts!
Our blog content is outlined below by subject, making it easier for teachers to access only the resources relevant to them.
Arts
- 16 Teacher-Created Review Games That Improve Learning in the Arts, Physical Education & World Languages
- 32 Resources for Performance and Visual Arts Educators
Behavioral health
Business
Elementary education
- 5 Free Exciting Review Games For Elementary Students in Grades K-5
- 7 Teacher-Created Review Games That Improve Learning in Elementary Classrooms
- 51 Resources for Elementary Educators
English Language Arts
- 7 Teacher Created Review Games That Improve Learning in Social Studies & English Language Arts
- 56 Resources for English Language Arts Educators
ESL
Health and physical education
- 20 Peer-Recommended Resources for Health and Physical Education Teachers
- 16 Teacher-Created Review Games That Improve Learning in the Arts, Physical Education & World Languages
Social studies
- 7 Teacher-Created Review Games That Improve Learning in Social Studies & English Language Arts
- 41 Resources for Social Studies Educators
Special education
- 11 Articles to Help New Teachers Build Inclusive Classrooms for Special Education Students
- 39 Peer-Recommended Resources for Special Education Teachers
- How Collaboration Fosters Effective Inclusion for Special Education Students
- How New Teachers Can Support Special Education Students in General Education Settings
- Tips for New Teachers Who Want Their Special Education Students to Thrive
STEM
- 5 Engagement Strategies Math Teachers Can Use to Reach Different Learning Styles
- 7 Teacher Created Review Games That Improve Learning in Science & Math
- 41 Resources for Science and Technology Educators
- 50 Resources for Mathematics Educators
- 61 Peer-Recommended Resources for Science Teachers
World language educators
- 16 Teacher-Created Review Games That Improve Learning in the Arts, Physical Education & World Languages
- 45 Resources for World Language Teachers
Resources for all teachers
Teaching is a journey, with its practitioners always sharpening and expanding their skills. Growth never stops in education, and great teachers seek opportunities to explore their craft.
These resources focus on just that, helping teachers strengthen their skills so they can build a strong curriculum, understand different learning styles and provide a multicultural classroom experience.
Supporting students and their identities
- 13 Black History Resources for Educators
- How to Get the Most Out of Your Library’s Resources During Black History Month
- The Amistad Commission Provides Resources to Incorporate Black History into Curricula
- 6 Ways Educators Can Support Students of Military Families
- Content Ideas and Free Library Resources for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- 20 Books with LGBTQ+ Themes to Add to Your Classroom Library
- Library Resources to Support LGBTQ+ Educators and Students
- Making Juneteenth Memorable and Meaningful In Schools
- Understanding Critical Race Theory and How to Incorporate Its Principles in the Classroom
- 7 Myths and Facts, Plus 37 Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month
- Teaching Thanksgiving the Culturally Responsive Way
- ADHD Facts and Resources to Better Serve Your Students
- Facts and Resources to Better Serve Students with Autism
- Embracing Cultural Competence and the Nurtured Heart Approach in a K-12 Setting
- How Teachers Can Create Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment
Tips and teaching strategies
- Here’s How Teachers Can Use Technology to Collaborate with Colleagues
- How to Teach an Intersectional Women’s History Month
- How Teachers Can Create a Bully-Free Classroom
- How The Three Rs of Classroom Management Can Help Struggling New Teachers
- New Teachers Can Unlock Student Potential Through a Growth Mindset
- Stress Management Practices for Educators
- Teacher Tips for Technology Distractions in the Classroom
- Teachers Can Harness the Power of Movement to Boost Student Learning
- Teachers Considering Flipping Their Classrooms Should Read This First
- Teachers Trade and Discover Effective Tips for Collaborating with Student Families
- Veteran Educators Share Activities and Ideas for New Teachers
- Why Teachers Should Foster Critical Thinking in Their Classrooms
Planning for summer vacation
- 20 International and Domestic Travel Opportunities for Educators
- FREE and Low-Cost Outdoors Activities for New Jersey Teachers, Students and Families
If you’re considering following your dream of teaching, Rutgers Alternate Route can offer you the support and training you need to succeed. Be sure to follow Rutgers Alternate Route on Twitter and sign up for Alternate Route’s monthly newsletter for more information and stories from the field of education.
Heather Ngoma has over 25 years of experience collaborating with educators across New Jersey to drive education innovation. She currently serves as the Director of the Rutgers-GSE Alternate Route Program in the Department of Learning and Teaching, a program which helps career changers, recent college graduates, and other aspiring education professionals become licensed teachers in New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @heatherngoma.
