Author: TCR Staff

5 Must-Haves for Geography Awareness Week

Calling all globetrotters!

This November, make space for all things geography in your classroom. We have everything you need to decorate, educate, and motivate your students during Geography Awareness Week, from November 17–21. 

World Geography, 4th Edition

Give students a complete snapshot of Earth’s geography with this book! Featuring an in-depth look at the seven continents and the waterways that support and surround them, this book explores the landforms, resources, populations, cultures, and more of the entire planet.

Released in 2025, this 4th edition features updated maps and data, spotlights on natural wonders, a multiple-choice quiz to assess understanding of the continent covered in that section, and a brand new World Geography Game to assess all of the information students have learned about our world.

Geography Learning Mats

Teach students the essentials of world geography with these detailed learning mats. Our double-sided dry-erase mats challenge students to identify countries and continents on the World Learning Mat, and US states and capitals on the United States of America learning mat.  After creating their own personalized mat, children can wipe it off and do it again, further enforcing important concepts.

US States Flashcards

Learn key information and fun facts all about the US States with these flash cards! With full-color maps and real photos, these cards are chock-full of interesting information about each state, including the capital, state flower, state bird, and more. 

Amazing State Poster Pack

Once students have their states, capitals, and facts down, have them fill out their own state poster and present what they’ve learned to the class! Each poster has fields for specific information about the state, such as the capital, the date of statehood, landmarks, and interesting facts. 

Travel the Map Themed Decor

Embrace the 2025 theme of “making spaces of possibility” with our Travel the Map classroom decor. Vintage-inspired maps, globes, and other symbols of travel encourage students to explore, dream, and discover new worlds. 

5 Ways to Use Pocket Charts for Phones in Class

Are student cell phones causing classroom chaos?

Parents, students, and administrators are finding themselves at odds over no-phone policies on school grounds. As the number of district and schoolwide bans increase, teachers have to get creative with solutions that are easy, inexpensive, and limit distractions—all while addressing parent and student safety and communication concerns.

Pocket charts offer an inexpensive, simple way to tuck phones away during class. Teachers love the affordability and theme flexibility offered by charts, while students and parents will feel good knowing that each phone is visible through clear pockets, and not locked up in the case of an emergency.

Make the order and organization of cell phone storage trendy with a cohesive theme. From a playful “cell block” prison-style solution to an elevated cell hotel, there are tons of themes you can bring to your in-class phone storage solution.

Start with a pocket chart with ample space—such as the 35-pocket Black Storage Pocket Chart or the Black Polka Dots Storage Pocket Chart—for an inexpensive-yet-creative solution for handling cell phones in any class.

Phone Jail

Lock ‘em up! Add a touch of playfulness to “no phone” classrooms with a “cell block” jail-themed pocket chart. Black-and-white striped straight border trim invokes an old-school prison jumpsuit, creating a cohesive, creative look for phone storage.

Attendance Tracker

Instead of a traditional roll call, opt for a phone-based system instead. Instruct students to drop their cell phones into a designated, numbered pocket before class starts. Then, use each phone to mark students as present or absent. Add Confetti Straight Border Trim and Confetti Calendar Bulletin Board Display numbers for a colorful solution.

Device Parking Lot

Direct students to “park” their cell phones into this device parking lot as they enter your class. Add car-themed accents and accessories for a display that decorates and organizes, all in one. Complete the themed look with Moving Mountains Road Trip Camper Vans Accents and Road Trip Straight Border Trim.

Cell Hotel

Draw inspiration from high-end resorts with a “cell hotel” for collecting phones. Elevate the display by adding elegant accents and travel-themed decor for a solution that’s as clever as it is useful. Travel the Map Luggage Mini Accents and Travel the Map Positive Sayings Accents create a cohesive theme that students love.

Charging Station

Incentivize students to hand over their phones at the beginning of school by offering a charging station in your classroom. Decorate the pocket chart with accents, border trim, and stickers for decor that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Brights 4Ever Lightning Bolts Accents and Brights 4Ever Bold Block 4″ Letters Combo Pack brighten up this electric display.

Whether you choose to theme your decor, or keep it simple and sleek, pocket charts are the ideal solution for cell phone storage in your classroom. Soothe student anxiety while keeping your classroom free from distractions with a visible phone-storage solution.

Autumn Inspiration: Fresh Fall Bulletin Board Ideas

School is in session and ramping up all things fall! Help students stay energized and engaged in class with autumn classroom decor ideas. Refresh learning spaces, libraries, cafeterias, offices, and more with trendy, on-season decor that integrates seamlessly into your classroom aesthetic.

Combine the Tree for All Seasons with our Hello Fall Create & Decorate Quick Kit and Burlap Better Than Paper for a look that’s fresh, fun, and fall-forward.

Layer Orange Gingham Scalloped, Everyone is Welcome Woven Straight (similar to shown), and Fall Leaves Die-Cut Border Trim together to create a textured, elevated autumnal edge to any bulletin board display.

Pair this border combination with White Shiplap Better Than Paper, Home Sweet Classroom Pumpkins Accents, and the Fall Small Poster Pack for a trendy display that covers everything from fall holidays to weather elements, so it can stay up all season long.

Embrace sweater weather with even more decor that celebrates the season of crisp air, pumpkin spice, and colorful foliage. Combine our Home Sweet Classroom Happy Fall Straight Border Trim with the “Welcome” poster from the Home Sweet Classroom Happy Fall Mini Bulletin Board to warmly invite students into your class.

For teachers who love all the little details, consider framing an autumn-inspired cutout (seen mounted on Corrugated Metal Straight Border Trim) in a wooden frame. Include natural, rustic accents such as burlap, pinecones, twine, and wood create a cohesive classroom look from wall to wall.

Bonus: Hello Fall Google Slides

School is in session, everyone is heads down, and momentum just keeps picking up. If you’re short on time and money, opt for our FREE Hello Fall Google Slides for bringing the beauty of autumn into your classroom routines.

Get your FREE Hello Fall Google Slides download now

This autumn, skip shelling out money for single-use decor—it’s easier than ever to create a stylish classroom in a snap using Teacher Created Resources. Mix and match our durable seasonal decor with neutrals for a one-of-a-kind, kid-approved classroom look that you can recreate year after year.

Classroom Must-Haves Every Teacher Loves

Heading back to school after summer break can be tough. Make the transition to early mornings and structured routines easier with our roundup of essential school supplies that every classroom needs (and every teacher loves).

Whether they’re first-timers or seasoned educators, all teachers know that the key to successful classroom management starts with the right tools—that function well, last a long time, and create an environment where students can thrive. We talked to the teachers in our community, and they shared their must-have classroom items for Back to School. 

The Best Writing Instruments

Every teacher needs their favorite pens and markers to make the school year a success. Look for low odor dry-erase markers that won’t trigger any smell sensitivities, and opt for a variety of colors to add a pop of color to your whiteboard. Pick pens in colors students love that dry quickly to avoid smears on classwork.

Tried-and-True Tools

Laminators are essential for preserving art projects, protecting decor, and creating classroom resources that can be used again and again. Plus, no teacher will get very far without a reliable, high-quality stapler. Modern designs allow for more accessibility, making it easier to staple bundles without jams. Finally, every class needs organizational accessories, such as hooks and clips, to keep learning spaces uncluttered and neat with easy-to-hang, removable options.

Student Incentives

Even highly motivated students need a push now and then. Encourage your class to stay engaged in learning with student incentives and prizes. Smelly stickers, fidgets, and small prizes offer positive reinforcement for good behavior, academic accomplishments, and more. Store the goodies in a treasure chest for an experience even reluctant learners will grow to love!

Classroom Tech Done Right

Teachers have long wished for the ability to quiet their class with a touch of a button, and now they can. A classroom doorbell is an easy way to get students’ attention quickly, no shouting or clapping required. Simply walk your class through how to respond to the bell at the beginning of the year, then practice, practice, practice! 

An electric pencil sharpener is another must-have on every teacher’s list. Heavy-duty sharpeners take the work out of sharpening pencils, while the variety of settings on modern models allow teachers to choose the mode that’s right for each pencil and lead, to preserve supplies as long as possible.

Kicking off a new school year right starts with creating a classroom environment that’s organized, streamlined, and feels stress-free for students and teachers alike. To help a member of our teacher community get ready for Back to School, we’ve gathered together all of these must-have goodies and more (a $450 value), plus a $250 Teacher Created Resources shopping spree. Our second prize winner will receive a $100 shopping spree at Teacher Created Resources for books, games, classroom decor, and more. 

Enter for your chance to win by August 31, 2025! For a full list of rules, click here.