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A new school year brings fresh opportunities to connect with students and families. This year, consider adding video to your back-to-school toolkit with Screencastify – creating personal connections while saving time and reaching everyone more effectively.
Make a Great First Impression with Students
Skip the traditional classroom introduction and record a short 1-2 minute welcome video instead. Share your personality, classroom vibe, and excitement for the year ahead. Students love seeing their teacher's authentic self, and video helps nervous students feel more at ease from day one.
Pro Tip: Use Screencastify's Submit feature for student "get to know you" videos during the first week. This helps you learn about each student while giving shy learners a comfortable way to share about themselves.
Streamline First-Week Procedures
Those crucial first weeks are often consumed by explaining procedures repeatedly. Create screencast videos showing students how to navigate your LMS, submit homework, or follow classroom routines. Students can revisit these whenever they need a refresher, freeing up your class time for meaningful interactions.
Pro Tip: Use Screencastify's Quiz feature to check understanding of procedures or gauge prior knowledge on key topics. For discussions about your syllabus or classroom agreements, try Live Learning to watch videos together as a class, pausing for questions and clarification.
Connect with Families Early and Often
Strong family partnerships start with intentional communication from day one. Send a welcome video during the first week introducing yourself, sharing your goals, and explaining how families can partner with you.
Pro Tip: In weeks two and three, create practical "how-to" videos showing parents how to check homework online, access grades, or contact you. When assigning your first project, record an overview for both students and families to clarify expectations and reduce confusion. Establish a rhythm of regular video updates – monthly or biweekly brief messages highlighting class progress, upcoming events, and student achievements.
Start Small, Build Confidence
Begin with just one or two video elements that feel manageable, then gradually add more as you become comfortable. The key is consistency, not perfection – authentic communication always wins over polished production.
Pro Tip: Keep your first videos short and focused. A genuine 90-second message often has more impact than a perfectly scripted 10-minute presentation.
Video communication transforms the back-to-school experience by making connections more personal and information more accessible. Start with one strategy that resonates with you, and watch how it strengthens your classroom community throughout the year. Your students and their families will appreciate the extra effort you've put into building meaningful relationships from day one.
