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Take the planning for Classroom Connections off of your plate!

This free daily resource gives educators a five minute opening routine that builds belonging, connection, and consistency, before the bell rings.

  • Free daily resource, trusted by more than 150,000 educators
  • A five minute opening routine that builds connection, care, and character
  • Delivered every morning at 7:00 AM EST
  • Conversation starters, brain breaks, check-ins, reflection prompts, inspiring videos, and classroom activities
  • Available for Junior (PK–1), Primary (2–5), Secondary (6–12), and Spanish classrooms
Check Out Today's Editions of the First Five
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What does The First Five look like?

The First Five gives educators a simple daily routine that helps students feel welcomed, valued, and ready to learn. Each edition is thoughtfully designed to build connection, care, and character in just five minutes a day.

Whether you use it for morning meeting, advisory, homeroom, MTSS, restorative practices, or simply a positive way to start class, the First Five fits naturally into your day. More than just an activity, it helps strengthen relationships, increase engagement, and create classrooms where every student feels seen, connected, and ready to thrive.

See Today's First Five Editions

Examples

Here’s a quick peek at the kind of content you can expect each morning. Fun, thoughtful, and ready to use ideas to kick off class with connection.

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Where It All Began

When the world shut down in March 2020, so did my work as an educational consultant. With schools closed and travel halted, I returned to the classroom. This time it was at John Horn High School in Mesquite, TX. That fall, school felt different. Masks, distancing, and safety protocols took over, and the focus on relationships, something I’d spent years promoting, felt like it had disappeared.

I couldn’t visit classrooms to support teachers anymore, but I still believed deeply in the power of connection. So I started emailing one simple idea each morning, something teachers could use in the first five minutes of class to build community. That small daily gesture grew fast. Educators responded. They needed it. And the First Five was born.

A few years later I teamed up with my longtime friend and colleague, John Whalen, and we launched Edtomorrow with the First Five at its core. From our first partner districts in Upstate New York to the team that has joined us along the way, this journey has always been about helping educators make those first five minutes count.

What started as a stopgap became a movement and a reminder that connection still comes first.

-Doug Overton

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This was the BEST ever PD in my 17 years! It was useful, real-life practice not just numbers and stats. I was engaged the entire time. The presenters were real, friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable. I'm exponentially thankful for this day!
Elementary Educator
in Colorado
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I’ve never said this before, but this was the best learning experience I’ve ever had. You are reaching today's youth and educators and most importantly, you've created a movement that will last for generations to come. Thank you for an incredible day and for renewing my faith in this work!
Restorative Coordinator
in New York
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I wanted to start by saying thank you... because the First Five has truly changed my life. As a second-year teacher, it can be hard to keep students engaged and emotionally developed. First Five has helped me do that in so many ways.    
Elementary Educator
in Maryland
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I've never had so many emails & text messages thanking me for a PD day. You guys were outstanding!
Principal
 in New York
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I would recommend this to every district as I think a lot of districts are struggling with the same issues.   
Assistant Superintendent
in California
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Honestly, this was by far the best presentation I was ever involved in, and I've been a teacher for almost 25 years.  
Secondary Educator
in Pennsylvania
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I can't believe this is free! This saved me from having to scour the internet when I need ideas for connection points!  
Art Teacher
in Ontario, Canada
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This was one of the best PDs I’ve ever been to in my 32 years of teaching!   
Instructional Specialist
in Texas
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I loved everything! Doug and his team were incredible speakers. As a first-year teacher, the PD gave me confidence and readiness. The breakout circle helped me open up to colleagues. This work is so crucial for both students and adults!  
Secondary Educator
in Maui
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The energy was amazing! This training provided a lot of great ideas and circle topics. Watching the videos helped me see how it should flow in a classroom.   
Secondary Educator
in New York
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It is so refreshing to have PD led by actual teachers with real classroom experience.  
Elementary Educator
in New York
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This is exactly what I needed. I feel seen and heard and inspired. We love First Five in my 3–5 classroom. You make my morning easier and happier :)  
Elementary Educator
in Ohio

Not Receiving The First Five?

Some district firewalls may block our signup form. If you encounter this issue:

  1. Refresh the page.
  2. If refreshing doesn’t work, consider signing up via a personal device or mobile phone.

We send the First Five out every morning at 7am EST. If you have signed up today, you will receive your first edition tomorrow morning. If 24 hours have passed:

  1. Inspect your spam, junk, promotions, or “other” folders. Our emails might get marked by your organization’s filters.

  2. Verify your barracuda or other spam filters and authorize our emails if quarantined.

  3. Request your IT team to whitelist the First Five email – firstfive@edtomorrow.org or edtomorrow.com and edtomorrow.org domains.

  4. If you’re still facing issues, get in touch with us at info@edtomorrow.com.

  • Inspect your spam, junk, promotions, or “other” folders. Our emails might get marked by your organization’s filters.

  • Verify your barracuda or other spam filters and authorize our emails if quarantined.

  • Request your IT team to whitelist the First Five email – firstfive@edtomorrow.org or edtomorrow.com and edtomorrow.org domains.

  • If you’re still facing issues, get in touch with us at info@edtomorrow.com.

We’re all ears! Share your idea with us at info@edtomorrow.com.

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