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Take the planning for Classroom Connections off of your plate!

This free daily resource provides brand new activities educators can use in the first five minutes of class, including student-appropriate memes, questions, mindfulness moments, quotes, and more.

  • Free daily Tier 1 resource for educators
  • Universal classroom practices designed for the first five minutes of class
  • Delivered every morning at 7:00 AM EST
  • 20+ new, ready-to-use activities each day that support learning readiness, behavior stability, relationships, and character development
  • Resources that help establish consistent routines and expectations across classrooms
Check Out Today's First Five
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What does The First Five look like?

The First Five provides educators with a daily set of universal classroom supports designed to help students start each day focused, supported, and ready to learn. Each edition offers simple, structured activities that strengthen routines, reinforce expectations, and support whole-child development in just a few minutes.

Educators can choose from a variety of formats including prompts, short reflections, visuals, movement, and discussion starters. These practices help create predictable classroom starts that support academic engagement, behavior stability, and positive classroom interactions across K–12 settings.

Take a Look!

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

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
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
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
I've never had so many emails & text messages thanking me for a PD day. You guys were outstanding!
Principal
 in New York
I would recommend this to every district as I think a lot of districts are struggling with the same issues.   
Assistant Superintendent
in California
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
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
This was one of the best PDs I’ve ever been to in my 32 years of teaching!   
Instructional Specialist
in Texas
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
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
It is so refreshing to have PD led by actual teachers with real classroom experience.  
Elementary Educator
in New York
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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