If you have ever used the First Five and thought, “This just helps my class feel better,” you are not wrong.
But there is something even bigger happening.
The First Five is not just a daily resource. It is a Tier 1 Universal Support within Edtomorrow’s Whole-Child MTSS framework.
And that matters more than most people realize.
What Tier 1 Universal Supports Are Meant to Do
Tier 1 supports are designed to reach every student, every day. They are not interventions. They are the foundation.
Strong Tier 1 systems:
- Create predictable routines
- Establish shared expectations
- Support engagement and readiness
- Reduce the need for reactive discipline
When Tier 1 is working well, classrooms feel calmer, transitions are smoother, and learning time increases.
That is exactly where the First Five lives.
Why the First Five Fits Squarely in Tier 1
The First Five focuses on the first few minutes of class because that moment sets the tone for everything that follows.
Through tools like Questions, Quick Connects, Check-Ins, Quotes, Mindfulness, Positivity, Memes, At the Door, and Videos, teachers create daily opportunities for connection, care, and character.
These are not random activities. They are universal classroom practices that:
- Help students mentally arrive to class
- Strengthen relationships between students and teachers
- Reinforce shared language and expectations
- Support emotional regulation before learning begins
When used consistently, the First Five becomes part of the classroom routine, not an extra task.
Tier 1 Is Where Prevention Happens
One of the most overlooked truths in MTSS is this:
The strongest behavior support is prevention.
When students feel seen, grounded, and connected at the start of class, many Tier 2 and Tier 3 needs never emerge.
That does not mean challenges disappear. It means teachers are no longer starting from zero each period.
The First Five helps schools:
- Reduce low-level disruptions
- Increase student participation
- Build trust that carries into harder moments
That is Tier 1 done well.
How the First Five Supports the Whole Child
Edtomorrow’s Whole-Child MTSS approach is built around supporting more than academics alone.
The First Five addresses the whole child by supporting:
- Social connection through discussion and dialogue
- Emotional awareness through check-ins and reflection
- Self-regulation through mindfulness and calm starts
- Belonging through predictable, welcoming routines
These supports do not replace instruction. They make instruction possible.
Why Administrators Should Pay Attention to This
From a systems perspective, the First Five offers something schools often struggle to find: a scalable Tier 1 practice that is easy to implement and consistent across classrooms.
Because the First Five is:
- Free for educators
- Ready to use with no prep
- Differentiated by grade level and learner needs
It allows schools to strengthen Tier 1 without adding pressure to teachers.
When Tier 1 is consistent, Tier 2 professional development and Tier 3 supports become more targeted and effective.
A Simple Reframe
If you have ever thought of the First Five as “just a morning activity,” it might be time to reframe it.
The First Five is a Tier 1 Universal Support that:
- Sets the tone for learning
- Builds classroom culture
- Supports the whole child
- Strengthens MTSS systems from the ground up
And sometimes, the smallest routines make the biggest difference.
-Edtomorrow Team