75 Instagram-Worthy Teaching Hacks

Teachers

252 total views

Whether it’s a genius repurposing of an everyday item, another dollar-store find, or a perfectly affordable way to organize your classroom, there’s nothing like proven teacher hacks to save you time and money. Here is a roundup of some of our favorite Instagram-worthy teacher hacks straight from the source: teachers like you.

1. Store paint in old soap dispensers.

And make art time a little less messy.

Source: @twinkl_ireland

2. Try out a mystery award.

Want to switch up your classroom reward? Here’s a fun way to incentivize students.

Source: @iteachspecialedtoo

3. Save those book jackets!

How awesome is this rainbow book display? Save book jackets (or even print out book covers) to make this come to life!

Source: @miss.clarksonxo

4. Socks for erasers!

Socks make the perfect pocket to store students’ dry-erase markers! Plus, they are such an inexpensive solution for erasers.

Source: @theuniqueclassroom

5. We all need a secret stash.

How genius is this? Your students will never fix your Twix now!

Source: @learningandlovingit

6. For those early finishers.

We’re loving this display! If you’re tired of hearing “I’m done, now what can I do?” put some options on the wall!

Source: @learningtobloomclassroom

7. Color-coding works every time.

It’s so simple but oh-so genius at the same time.

Source: @jumpinwithmrsj

8. A Do Not Disturb light switch.

For when you are working with small groups or helping an individual student, this is a great idea! Let students know you need a few minutes before getting to their questions.

Source: @mrsbowmansclassroom

9. Use a star student instead of classroom jobs.

Assigning out a variety of classroom jobs can be so time-consuming. Try using a star student! Just pick one student each day who will be the helper for all those little classroom jobs.

Source: @kinder_charm

10. Write on pencils for encouragement.

Is there a big unit test coming up? Or state testing? This piece of encouragement is easy to make and sure to make your students smile!

Source: @lifewlittlelearners

11. Make a pool noodle rainbow!

How adorable is this? Grab some dollar-store pool noodles and get to creating. Check out our big list of pool noodle hacks!

Source: @rainbow.art.teacher

12. The nothing-note strategy.

Have you tried this strategy? Send a student on a walk to help them refresh and return to the classroom ready to learn. Read more on the nothing-note tactic here.

Source: @wonderingwithmrswatto

13. Flashlight Fridays are so fun!

Spark some reading love with this idea! Students get so excited to read a book with the lights dimmed during Flashlight Friday.

Source: @mrs.tayteachesk

14. Turn scrap paper into confetti.

Save colored scrap paper and turn it into confetti with a hole punch. Use it for celebrations or art projects.

Source: @aperfectblendteaching

15. Display student work with clothespins and tacks.

You can stop leaving holes in students’ work with this hack!

Source: @lifeas_missmichael

16. Use pouches to separate papers.

Keep things organized with mesh pouches such as these. Use them for transporting papers to and from home or for staying organized in the classroom.

Source: @mrscowmansclassroom

17. DIY play dough.

Just use cornstarch, lotion, and food coloring for a DIY you can do with your students.

Source: @aperfectblendteaching

18. Communicate with your teacher team.

No need to rely on your phones!

Source: @justpeachyinelementary

19. Color-code your printables.

One for each day of the week!

Source: @educating.yorkshire

20. Make master notes with yellow highlighter.

Did you know that yellow highlighter won’t come through when you make copies? This is a game-changer for making notes to yourself! Check out this Instagram reel showing the hack in action.

Source: @teachingwithapoint

21. Implement a calming caddy.

Give students a place to take a break if needed. You might end up using these items too!

Source: @lifeas_missmichael

22. Create a voice-o-meter.

All you need are tap lights and signs. Now all your students will know the appropriate noise level.

Source: @crissysclassroomcreations

23. Create desk holders.

All you need are zip ties and plastic cups!

Source: @teachersbrain

24. Turn your collaboration desk into a dry-erase board.

This teacher says, “It’s amazing what five dollars can do,” and we definitely agree!

Source: @ksclassroomkreations

25. Use colorful lead pencils.

These are so genius. Now you can have erasable colors in pencil, not just pen.

Source: @mrswaldron

26. It’s an A+ for organized learning.

This teacher uses photo boxes you can buy from Michaels to store and organize her task cards.

Source: @ayearwithmsz

27. Use a fun screen saver to keep track of your devices.

Avoid numbering your devices with stickers that can leave an icky residue. Photos of yourself or your students make a fun alternative.

Source: @theamygroesbeck

28. Make turning in homework a game.

Homeworkopoly might be one of the most genius things we’ve seen this year. It’s from Le Teacher Chronicles and demonstrated here by A Love for Teaching.

Source: @_aloveforteaching_

29. It’s coffee that lasts all day!

This will get you through those long days—iced coffee to the rescue.

Source: @theteacherhouse

30. Get students to stop blurting out.

When the light is on, there is absolutely no blurting out.

Source: @loveforelementary

31. Use microfiber cloths to clean your whiteboards.

With minimal sewing skills, you can make mitts that are extra kid friendly.

Source: @beingmissausten

32. Give your mini easel a new life.

This teacher said her mini easel was always getting in the way—until she figured out this genius use for it.

Source: @mrswaldron’s mini easel

33. Repurpose an old spice rack.

Because you can never find a paper clip when you need one.

Source: @teachingheroes

34. Try a drying rack for student art.

A laundry drying rack is a cheap and space-saving way to dry glued or painted projects.

Source: @a.learning.moment

35. Make a review game from dry-erase dice.

For one buck, these dry-erase dice are the perfect learning activity for any subject.

Source: @food_for_taught

36. Color-code your hall passes.

And hang them in a handy place that only you can access.

Source: @somewhat_sparkly

37. Get their attention with a doorbell.

This teacher swears by her wireless doorbell. She says it’s just the thing she needs to get students’ attention.

Source: @loveforelementary’s classroom doorbell

38. Rolling carts are game changers.

We’ve heard it again and again: A teacher can never have too many rolling carts.

Source: @adifferentiatedclass

39. It’s a new kind of classroom pet.

This teacher likes it nice and clean, and her robot vacuum does the job.

Source: @thekidlitmama

40. Use a shoe rack to distribute work.

Save time on passing out assignments by giving your students a teacher- and student-friendly cubby where they can find their work.

Source: @just.add.glitter

41. Bring life to a number line.

Best of all, it doesn’t take up much space at all.

Source: @earlycorelearning

42. Bring new meaning to the dab.

How do you use bingo dabbers in your classroom?

Source: @earlycorelearning’s bingo dabbers

43. Learn a little something from your students.

Encourage your students to share.

Source: @naturallychiceducator

44. Use pom-poms for your markers.

This one goes around from time to time, but it’s worth showing again because it’s so easy!

Source: @_aloveforteaching’s marker pom-poms

45. Use clothespins for pencil grippers.

This teacher hack is a cheap and simple way to help kids grasp their fine motor skills.

Source: @ky_khaleesi_kensington

46. Put a mark on borrowed pencils.

Now you can easily keep track of them.

Source: @littleroseplace

47. Bring life to clothespins.

How great are these for holding papers?! We love them.

Source: @madeinfifthgrade

48. Store paintbrushes in toothbrush holders.

You can get them at the dollar store for a great organization hack.

Source: @art_with_msvu

49. Bottle caps offer good learning opportunities.

You can use this idea for letters, math, and so much more.

Source: @kinderkhronicles

50. Use Popsicle sticks to call on students.

A colorful way to ensure every student gets a turn.

Source: @missmcannloveslearning

51. Practice makes perfect.

All you need is plastic plates and you have a math manipulative that you can write on with a dry-erase marker.

Source: @farrahhenleyeducation

52. Make glue sponges.

Instead of going through a ton of glue sticks, dump a bottle of Elmer’s Glue onto a sponge. Every few weeks, flip them and give them a spritz of water, and they’ll be good to go all school year.

Source: @liveandlovekindergarten

53. Make your own classroom lighting.

Create a calming atmosphere in your classroom by putting an inexpensive string of fairy lights in a glass jar.

Source: @kind_er_garten

54. Color-code your art supplies.

For a truly Instagram-worthy teacher hack, grab free paint chips from a hardware store and get creative. We’ve also seen several teachers use paint samples for curriculum review.

Source: @mrs_garsides_classroom

55. Create a pencil-sharpening station.

Now you won’t have students always asking to go to the pencil sharpener. They can just grab a new pencil and keep working. Then the sharpening can be done at a later time!

Source: @doubledoseoflearning