Teacher guide
Running your exchange, from start to finish
Earthrise:Live is a free global classroom exchange on Thursday 19th November 2026. One class meets a class the same age in another country for a live video call, 15 to 30 minutes long, led by the two teachers - with your class teacher present throughout.
Before the day
Four things to sort out in advance.
You're matched in October
We match classes worldwide once registrations are in, then send you an Earthrise:Live Match Pack by email with your partner's details.
Agree a platform together
You and your partner teacher choose whichever video platform your school already approves - Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom.
Swap the link through approved channels
Share the meeting link with your partner teacher using your school's approved channels only - never a pupil device or personal account.
Do a 5-minute test call
The week before, test the link with your partner teacher: sound, camera, and that you can both join at the planned time.
Run-sheet
A minute-by-minute shape for the session.
Five simple steps that work whether your session is 15 minutes or 30. Adjust the timings to fit whatever length you and your partner teacher agree.
| Step | 15-min session | 30-min session |
|---|---|---|
| 01Welcome and greeting Say hello - try a greeting in each other's language. | 2 min | 3 min |
| 02“Here's us” A map and three facts about your class or your part of the world. | 3 min | 5 min |
| 03Shared activity or show-and-tell One activity or object both classes can join in with. | 6 min | 15 min |
| 04Questions both ways Pupils ask, pupils answer - both classes get a turn. | 3 min | 5 min |
| 05Goodbye Say goodbye - try it in each other's language too. | 1 min | 2 min |
Looking for a version tuned to your pupils’ age? See the session run-sheets by age band.
If the tech wobbles
Stay calm - here's what to try.
Check link, audio and camera first
Open the call a few minutes early and check sound and picture before pupils come in.
Try a phone hotspot as backup
If school wifi drops, a staff phone hotspot can often get you back online quickly.
Can't fix it in time? Go asynchronous
If a live call genuinely isn't possible, switch to a video postcard, class letter or shared slideshow instead - see the asynchronous options.
More on asynchronous options is on the time-zones page.
Safe by design, every time.
Your class teacher is present throughout the call. No adult from outside the school ever joins. Earthrise:Live does not collect any personal information about children. See the safeguarding and privacy one-pager for the full picture.