Micro-Moments

A classroom is a busy place.

Homework sheets, contests, tests, recess time, projects…the action is nonstop. In this thriving hive of activity, how can we find the time to build real, lasting relationships with our students? To encourage our students to foster relationships with each other? To connect with them on their level?

Introducing Micro Moments!

A curated collection of suggestions, ideas, activities, and projects that can fit into your classroom, in those small pockets of time that open up throughout the year. Designed to utilize each available moment as a connection building opportunity, these Micro Moments cards are easy, fun, and can be adapted to your classroom style and grade level.
Two extra minutes at the end of class? Day after midwinter vacation? School assembly finished early?
Pull out a card and turn those micro-moments into macro-opportunities!

Here are a few to get you hooked, or buy the full collection!

For the first day back after Pesach vacation:

STICKER DESIGN

Using round or rectangular blank labels, students design ‘bumper stickers’ or ‘doctor stickers’ that depict a scene from their vacaction/Yom Tov break. All stickers are then stuck onto a large oaktag/poster board for the students to view and discuss during recess.

Prompt Ideas:

Draw your family’s seder table, the game you played at your Chanukah party, the main idea of a new book you read over vacation, etc.

This is a welcome change from the standard ‘What did you do on Chol Hamoed?’ competition!

To keep the class going in the last few weeks of the year:

UNCOVER A REWARD

There is nothing like a group achievement to raise spirits and bolster connection! Create a poster with an incentive written on it in big letters. Cover the incentive with small papers/post its that have class acheivements written on them (lined up for recess quickly, davened beautifully as a class, passed up papers using the proper procedure, etc.). Each time the class as a whole completes one of the achievements, have a student peel off the corresponding post it. Watch the anticipation grow as the reward gets uncovered!

Incentive examples: Class ice cream party, extra 15 minutes of recess, trip to the park

Those last five minutes before recess….

PASS THE MIKE

Students pass a microphone (fake or imaginary) around the classroom. Each student shares her quick opinion on a topic/prompt that is given by the teacher.

Prompts:

What’s something you are looking forward to?

What was the most exciting thing that happened to you this week?

What do you want to do when you graduate?

Fun variation! Instead of using a microphone, use an item related to the time of year/day’s lesson. For example, Chanukah time, pass around a tall candle or a stuffed dreidel.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Teaching Yom Kippur in Two Days

Engaging lessons that fit tight schedules As Yom Kippur draws near, Limudei Kodesh teachers are presented with an opportunity to dive deep into the meaning and minhagim of this important day— all in just a few teaching days! That’s why we’ve collected interactive teaching ideas that will not only engage your students but also help them absorb a lot of information in a short amount of time. Fast Facts Start with a mini challenge! Hand your students a list of statements about the new topic and let them decide if each one is true or false—or if they agree or disagree. It’s a fun way to get brains buzzing and conversations started, plus it gives you a sneak peek at what they already know (or think they know!). Example: True or False? We fast on Yom Kippur to commemorate the shattering of the luchos. We hear 100 shofar blasts on

Making Connections

Starting the year with a positive connection can pave the way for successful communication throughout the school year. This isn’t just a formality; it’s an opportunity to lay a solid foundation between you, the teacher, and the parents of your students.

Grading Shortcut

https://tuteachercenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Excel-grading.mp4 Spreadsheets make calculating students’ grades quick and easy. They’re efficient and can be easily updated if anything changes, saving you from redoing all the math. Plus, they help keep everything organized and accurate, reducing mistakes. With a digital backup, your data is safe and easy to share with the school office, making it simple to include grades on report cards. Overall, spreadsheets make grading a breeze! If you’ve never done this before, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your custom grading spreadsheet. 1. Set Up the Spreadsheet Header Open Excel and in Row 1, create the following headers: A1: Student Name B1: Test 1 C1: Test 2 D1: Test 3 E1: Test 4 F1: Final Score G1: Grade You can adjust the number of assignments/tests to suit your needs. 2. Enter Students’ Scores In rows 2 and onward, enter data for each student. Example: A2: Aviva B2: 85 C2:

Marking Simplified

There’s nothing more exhilarating than a pile of marked papers. And there’s nothing more overwhelming than a pile of unmarked test papers. Testing and accurate marking are necessary to hold students accountable and give them the feedback they crave. Here are some tips to lighten your marking load and help you finish the school year paperwork-free! In General: Plan Ahead When creating your test, set up the questions to make the marking move quicker. Use more short-answer or multiple-choice questions. (Click HERE for more tips on creating tests.) Small increments Tackle five to ten tests at a time. Section by section Create a sample answer sheet and cut out the answers to each section. Put the answer key near the students’ answers to rely less on your memory. Magic Marker Hire an assistant or a colleague to help with grading. For Essays and Long Answers: Use symbols or