The first week together is the ideal time to begin building community with your students. By emphasizing building relationships and establishing a safe space, you signal to your students that you value their identity, their voice, and their work. This guide covers one approach to centering students in the community-building process: incorporating community builders and Sparks into your daily schedule.
Community Builders and Sparks listed in this guide provide organic opportunities for students to laugh together, talk to each other, and share things they care about during their first week together. You could build a Community Builder and Spark into each day’s plan, or simply choose the ones that bring you and your students joy. The guide is available for download below.
by 826 National
This tool provides educators resources for practicing elements of revision with their students.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades 3-5 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
Publishing student writing is at the heart of 826's work. This Educator Tool shares more about our publishing process.
by 826 National
This resource supports you in creating a safe and brave learning space, through the use of Community Agreements.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool is designed to support and inspire you and your students, wherever you are in your poetry journey.
by 826 National
This guide offers an abundance of resources to help students practice the basic elements of short stories.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades 9-12 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool provides writing resources to use during the first week of school and beyond.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool shares a collection of 826 resources and Mentor Texts that foster creating social change through writing.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool shares a variety of prompts to help you springboard into journal writing with your students.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades K-2 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool provides you with resources to help students build their awareness of the diverse perspectives around them.
by 826 National
This Educator Tool is designed to help you support students along their journeys in positive identity development.
by 826 National
The Educator Tool shares resources to help you support your students' mental health.
by 826 National
A flexible, 4-week unit designed for students in grades 6-8 to "write their way" with authentic purpose. Includes a curriculum guide, calendar, and links to all related 826 Digital resources.