10 Tips for Creating a Useful Classroom Website

Hey everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend. I meant to get this post out this morning but in typical 3 month old baby world, I am just getting around to the finishing touches on it tonight. Can you believe it’s August? It’s very bittersweet for me. I miss teaching and am excited to go back to work, but I also wish I could stay home with my baby all the time! We have had such a special summer. I went into my classroom this week to get a little bit done and I feel a lot better now. Since I was on maternity leave last year I did not get to pack up my classroom or do my usual end-of-the-year list of things to make my summer easier. I still need to go in and send copies out, get prepped and organized for my new class. At least my classroom is mostly set up now.

Tonight I’m talking about making a classroom website that works! Does your school require a classroom website? Do you get to choose what is on it? In my school we are required to have one but the minimum requirements are pretty minimum, meaning we have lots of room to make it our own. Here is a look at what I feature on my classroom website and how it works for my class and my parents. Since I am a kindergarten and first grade teacher, my classroom website is a tool for parents.

1. Homepage with Important Info At-a-Glance

When you enter my classroom webpage I include all information that a parent may be looking for. Telephone number, email, social media and a link to my “What’s New?” page.

2. What’s New?

In place of a traditional newsletter, I include the What’s New page on my classroom website. It has our text reminders embedded into it, our Instagram photos streaming on it, and a list of upcoming events, themes and important information for parents to know. 

3. Meet Mrs. Hornung

I include a biography of me that helps families to get to know me better!

4. Meet My Team!

My students spend a lot of time with my paraprofessionals. I think it is important for families to be able to contact them and get to know them a little better too.

5. Important Documents

I love having important documents like this on my classroom webpage for anyone to be able to access. When I have families tour my classroom I always direct them to my website so they can read more about the way that I run my program.

6. Academic Information

I post links to curriculum information, our homework and grading policy and tips for parents. I also include suggestions for apps, websites and materials.

7. Classroom Wish List

Enough said!

8. Classroom Job Descriptions

9. Our Favorite Books

After we read theme related books I like to post the most popular ones on our website. I often have parents ask me what books their child enjoyed or if I have suggestions for books. 

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Having a FAQ section is a great way to answer a lot of questions or include a lot of information in one page. 

  • Ms. Parker August 3, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Sarah, this post is great! I love the various sections you include on your webpage. Can I ask what platform you use at your school (i.e. Weebly, Google Sites, etc.)?

    Kristin
    The Write Combo

  • twolittlebirds August 7, 2015 at 10:50 am

    We use schoolwide as the platform for our websites & I feel I do not use it much. These are great tips! What platform do you use to create it, it seems easy to use & your website looks helpful to parents!
    ~Jen

  • Unknown January 11, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    wow! this is the best teacher website I have ever seen! Thanks for the great ideas!

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