Back to School for Teachers
In the final month of summer, our brains start to shift to what’s next: going back to school. This month’s Upbeat News helps teachers gear up to go back. We have tips on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, creative ideas for setting up the teacher’s desk, and strategies for making a low-stress transition to a new classroom. We are also excited to introduce our new release Visual Learning and Teaching: An Essential Guide for Educators K–8 by Susan Daniels, Ph.D., a comprehensive guide to visual learning strategies with easy-to-use activities for the 21st century classroom.

Balanced Teacher
New Release Spotlight
Our world is becoming increasingly reliant on visual communication, yet our classrooms still heavily focus on traditional oral and written instruction. This comprehensive guide of visual learning strategies helps educators create a “visual toolbox” of tools that promote visual literacy across the curriculum and offers interactive activities to encourage visual learning and communication in all students.

Tips & Tools from the Free Spirit Blog
Reframing Deficit Thinking
Author Richard M. Cash, Ed.D., describes the negative impact deficit thinking has on students and outlines a process for shifting to the more productive surplus thinking. Read now.
Tips for Teachers Transitioning to a New Grade Level
Andrew Hawk, a seasoned teacher, offers tips on how to reduce stress and make the best of the transition to a new grade level (or new subject or school).  Read now.
Grants
Educational grants and services available for your school or community:

ClassWish helps teachers and schools attract donations for supplies from local businesses, alumni, and other members of the community. Teachers create a wish list of supplies, and ClassWish helps spread the word to parents and other supporters. Donors can look up a school by name or zip code to fulfill a wish-list item. Teachers can refer to the website for ideas about spreading the word to parents and other potential contributors. Teachers, administrators, and officers of parent-teacher organizations are eligible to create a wish list of resources online.
Eligibility: Public, Private, Charter
Prize: Donation amounts vary.
Deadline: Requests may be submitted year-round.

Classroom grants from the Association of American Educators (AAE) Foundation can be used for a variety of projects and materials, including but not limited to books, software, calculators, mathematics manipulatives, art supplies, audiovisual equipment, lab materials, and more. Funds must be used within one year of the application deadline.
Eligibility: Classroom grants are available to all full-time educators who have not received a scholarship or grant from AAE in the past two years. 
Prize: Grants up to $500 are awarded. 
Deadline: Applications are due March 1 and October 1, annually.
Recent Review
Stress Can Really Get on Your Nerves
“Thoroughly kid friendly. Especially recommended.” — Children’s Bookwatch

What’s your favorite Free Spirit title?
Visit freespirit.com, select the product that has helped you the most in your work with kids, and leave us a review!
Download of the Month
Leader's Guide to Every Vote Matters

Use ideas from this manual to help readers get the most from Every Vote Matters: The Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court by Thomas A. Jacobs, J.D., and Natalie C. Jacobs, J.D.
Click here for more leader’s guides, activities, reproducible forms, and PLC/book study guides from select titles.
Find Free Spirit
Upcoming Events and Conferences 

Sept. 6–9: Florida Association for the Education of Young Children, Orlando, FL

Sept. 20: Free webinar presented by Myles Cooley: “Understanding and Supporting Students with Mental Health and Learning Disorders” at 3 p.m. EDT
Special Offer
Get 30% off and free shipping on books featured in this month’s newsletter:

Sale ends August 31, 2018. Use code AUG30 at checkout. Shop now.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
—Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity