Today’s First Five:
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Edtomorrow Daily Brain Games
Compete to be on our daily leaderboard!
Educators, it's game time! 🏀✨ The First Five’s Disney Pixar March Madness Tournament is live, and you have until March 20th at 8 PM EST to submit your bracket for a shot at one of three $100 gift cards!
Vote daily starting March 21st to help your favorites advance—limited bracket spots available, so enter now before it's too late!
This contest is for educators only. Students may not submit a bracket but are encouraged to help their teachers fill out their bracket and also vote in the voting rounds March 21st-27th.
And the Winner Is… 🏆🎬
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: March 28th, 2025
Tournament Results
The results are in, the upsets were real, and the final buzzer has sounded on our Disney Pixar Bracket Challenge! After thousands of you submitted your picks and classrooms passionately debated every round, we're thrilled to announce our Top 3 Winners, each taking home a $100 Amazon Gift Card:
🥇 1st place- Chelsea Smythe
🥈 2nd place- Not_Goldfish (Oliver Brown)
🥉 3rd place- Mrs. Molinar
After Lion King beat out Moana, we had 7 people tied for 3rd place, so after a very official (and dramatic) coin flip by Mr. Doug Overton, the winners are listed above. If that’s you, we’ll be verifying educator status and reaching out shortly—so keep an eye on your inbox! If you were one of the ones tied for 3rd place, you still have a chance to win if any of those 3 winners do not claim their prize!
📍 See the Final Tournament Results
Bracket Mayhem Highlights
Inside Out sent shockwaves across brackets everywhere by knocking out Toy Story in Round 2. We’re still recovering.
Ratatouille cooked up a Cinderella-style run to the semifinals, busting brackets like a true underdog.
Huge props to Chelsea Smythe, who had a near-perfect bracket and only missed the final pick—she had Moana beating The Lion King. So close, Chelsea!
For those wondering, the statistical odds of picking a perfect 32-team bracket randomly? About 1 in 4.3 billion. 😅 Chelsea, you beat the odds in style.
Thanks for Playing!
We had so much fun watching the results unfold and we hope your class did too. Should we run more bracket-style challenges like this? Let us know! We’re open to theme ideas: Best Classroom Snack? Iconic Villains?
Hit reply or send us a message, we’re listening.
Until next time,
The Edtomorrow Team
In a Pinch Activity - Step Forward If
Author: Sarah Nunn
Date: March 27th, 2025
Connecting with students doesn't have to be disruptive or chaotic. In fact, meaningful engagement can happen seamlessly, without a single word spoken or desks rearranged.
"Step Forward If" is a quick, adaptable activity designed for those in-between moments during transitions. It requires no talking, making it perfect for situations where settling down can be a challenge. I did this with my 3rd graders all the time because I was habitually early to drop them off at specials. I had to find ways to keep them quiet in the hallway but also entertained! This activity is very reminiscent of Mrs. Gruwell’s activity in the movie Freedom Writers.
How it Works:
Have students stand in a line or around the room. Pose simple questions like "Step forward if you have siblings" or "Step forward if you play Roblox." Students silently move 1 step forward if the statement applies to them, allowing for quiet connections without disruptions. They step back to their original spot before you pose the next question.
Benefits:
Quick and Flexible: Fits seamlessly into brief transition moments.
Minimal Disruption: No need for a settle-down period, ensuring a smooth transition.
Customizable Questions: Tailor to your class dynamics, touching on various interests and experiences.
Quiet Control: You can manage noise levels effortlessly by pausing the game until the class is quiet or resuming at a more suitable time.
"Step Forward If" captures the essence of creating meaningful connections without chaos. By incorporating this silent technique into your routine, you create an environment where students feel seen, heard, and connected – enhancing the overall classroom experience.
Meet Some of Our Amazing Presenters!
Author: John Whalen
Date: March 26th, 2025
With over 80 years of combined experience, our presenters have trained 75,000+ educators and led 15,000+ restorative circles. They’ve been teachers, administrators, coordinators, and consultants—bringing real-world expertise to every training. This video gives you a glimpse of just a few of the incredible educators who make our sessions so impactful. Want to bring them to your school or district? Learn more here!
First Five Facilitation Tip by John Whalen: Yes or No Responses
Author: John Whalen
Date: March 25th, 2025
When leading discussions, it’s tempting to use yes-or-no questions to get quick responses. While these questions can be useful when time is limited, they often prevent deeper, more meaningful sharing. If the goal is to create space for students to express themselves in unique ways, yes/no questions can unintentionally block that opportunity.
Earlier this year, I worked with a high school teacher who felt that participation during The First Five was uneven in his classroom. He wanted to see if a simple question would encourage more students to engage. During my visit, he led with this prompt:
"Have you ever had a part-time job?"
His goal was to spark conversation about students’ work experiences, but most simply answered with a quick “Yes” or “No” and moved on. The discussion stalled, and students who had interesting experiences didn’t naturally elaborate.
Afterward, I suggested a small adjustment:
"Tell us the name of a job you’ve had or one you’d like to have someday."
This simple shift led to much more engaging responses. Students shared everything from fast-food gigs to aspirations of becoming pilots or fashion designers. Some discovered common experiences, while others chimed in with advice or funny work stories.
To encourage more engagement, try these strategies:
Reframe yes/no questions into open-ended prompts. Instead of “Do you like to travel?” try “What’s one place you’d love to visit?”
Use sentence starters. “One thing I’ve learned from working is…”
Encourage details. “Tell us about something surprising you’ve learned from a job, internship, or volunteer experience.”
By avoiding yes/no questions and making small tweaks, you can create more engaging discussions where every student has something to contribute.
Vote Daily! The Disney Pixar Showdowns Continue!
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: March 24th, 2025
We’re in the final stretch of Disney Pixar March Madness, and your votes will decide the winner!
📅 Vote daily from Monday (3/24) to Thursday (3/27), 6 AM - 8 PM EST
🗳️ One vote per person each day
🏆 Final Winners Announced on Friday, 3/28
📊 Check the Predictions Ranking Tab – Are you still in the lead for the $100?
Every vote brings us closer to crowning the ultimate Disney Pixar champion! Plus, it’s a fun way to spark classroom discussions—have your students join in on the debate!
✨ Cast your class vote now!
Round 1 Disney Pixar Tournament Voting is Open! Submit Your Class Vote Now!
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: March 21st, 2025
The Disney Pixar March Madness Tournament has begun, and now it’s time for your class to cast their votes for Round 1!
📅 Voting Rounds: March 21, 24, 25, 26, and 27
⏰ Daily Voting Window: 6 AM - 8 PM EST
🗳️ One vote per person per round
Even if you didn’t submit a bracket to compete for the $100 prizes, you can still participate daily by voting as a class! You can even have your students write their predictions of which movie will win in the Final round. This is a great way to collaborate, spark fun discussions, and determine the best Disney/Pixar movie ever.
🏆 Check the Predictions Ranking Tab each day to see how accurate your picks were!
✨ Cast your class votes now and let the tournament begin!
📍 Vote Here
Submit Your Disney Pixar Bracket Before 8 PM EST Today!
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: March 20th, 2025
🚨Don’t miss your chance to win $100! 🚨
Think you know which Disney or Pixar movie will be crowned champion? Your bracket is due TODAY by 8 PM EST!
🎟️ How to Play:
✅ Submit your predictions today for which movie will win it all
✅ Track your progress on the Predictions Ranking Tab each day
✅ One vote per person per round (but voting isn’t required to win!)
✅ Voting starts tomorrow (3/21) and ends Thursday (3/27)!
💰 The top three most accurate brackets each win a $100 gift card, but you must be a current educator with a school email or proof of employment.
🔥 Bracket submissions close at 8 PM EST tonight—don’t miss it!
Edtomorrow Disney Pixar March Madness Tournament!
Author: Edtomorrow Team
Date: March 19th, 2025
Educators, get ready for the ultimate showdown and three chances to win a $100 gift card! We’re launching the First Five’s Disney Pixar March Madness Tournament, where YOU decide which Disney/Pixar movie takes the crown!
How It Works
🏀 Submit Your Bracket & Predictions – Think you know the fan-favorite? Fill out your bracket today or tomorrow and predict the winner!
📅 Make Your Picks: Submit your bracket predications today, March 19th, until tomorrow, March 20th, at 8 PM EST
💰 Win $100! – The top three most accurate brackets win $100 each! (Must be a current educator with a school email or proof of employment.)
🗳️ Voting Rounds Begin March 21st – One vote per person per round. Vote daily to help your favorites advance!
📊 Check Your Standing – Follow the Predictions Ranking Tab to see how your picks are doing!
⚡ Limited Spots Available! Only 750 bracket submissions are available, so enter now for your chance to win before it's too late!
Even if you don’t predict perfectly, voting each day can help influence the results—and it’s a great way to build classroom connections and discussions!
👉 Brackets are live from now until 8pm EST tomorrow, March 20th. Don’t miss your chance to submit! Send this to a friend to share the fun!
First Five Strategy: Music at the Door
Author: John Whalen
Date: March 18th, 2025
An inspirational song can help us get motivated and start on the right foot. Here are five inspirational songs that can pump your class up for the excitement you are about to deliver. Let's go!
You can find each of these tracks on YouTube! Make sure you double-check the track to make sure it's just right!
"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
"Rocky Theme/Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti
"Roar" by Katy Perry
"Star Wars (Main Theme)" by John Williams & London Symphony Orchestra
"On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons
In a Pinch Activity: Quick Toss
Author: John Whalen
Date: March 17th, 2025
In a Pinch Activity: Quick Toss
Time: 2-5 minutes.
Preparation: Choose 1-3 balls that your students are able to toss and catch.
This is another activity built around teamwork, focus, and patience! You’ll need 1-3 balls for this activity. Make sure they are something the students you work with can catch! Here’s how this activity works:
Explain to participants that it must be silent once the toss begins. As the facilitator, toss the ball underhand to a student not next to you. Once the other person has caught the ball, you can sit down. That student tosses the ball to another person and sits down after the toss. This continues until there is one person left standing. That person tosses the ball back to you.
Keep track of how many drops there were in the first attempt at this but do not share the number or that you are doing this until the round concludes.
Have everyone stand up again. Tell participants we will follow the same order as the first round. Challenge the group to see if they can have fewer drops than the first round.
If the group is successful, continue with a new toss challenge. Tell students that they will, again, repeat the same toss order. Let them know that this time, you are going to introduce something new without explaining it during the round.
While the students are going through the order again, toss a second ball to the student you have been tossing to all along. Watch to see if students pick up on this. If they are successful without dropping, they can try one more round with three balls going at once!