Summer is here! Sit back, relax, and… wait… you’re already planning for the new school year?! Teachers don’t let school go easily, do they?! Don’t feel bad… I personally start thinking about the new school year before the current one is even done. (Is that bad??)
In my 20+ years in the profession, I’ve compiled THREE must-do items to prepare now for a stress-free back-to-school season!
Plan
Most of you will at least know what grade you will be teaching. If you do, long-range planning is one thing you can start now. Review your curriculum documents, consider the resources you have available, and start mapping out when you’d like to cover the big ideas.
I also like to get my daybook resources prepped and ready to go during the summer break. I have used the iDoceo app for electronic planning and record-keeping for several years. I can enter my tentative timetable into the templates and even add my student information if I have it!
If you’re more of a paper and Flair pens kind of gal… my Erin Condren life planner is never far from my reach, and the teacher planner looks amazing!
You can take a closer look at all the EC planner options HERE. (This is a referral link to the EC Insider program, which will save you money on your purchases when you join!)
Print, Cut, Laminate
My new printer has been working overtime in the past week. (Thank goodness for Instant Ink!!) This really is the perfect time to get your new classroom decor, guided math centers, birthday gifts, or whatever printed and prepared for heading back.
I have been prepping my NEON classroom decor,
getting more of my differentiated word lists printed, cut, and fastened with binder rings,
and working on assembling the rest of my Guided Math centers.
Doing this before I head back into the classroom will mean one extra thing is already crossed off my long list!
Relax, Refresh, Recharge
Possibly the most important item on my list… please don’t forget to put school away and enjoy some time with family and friends. You can have a beautiful, Pinterest-worthy classroom with all the greatest resources prepared, but if you are run-down and tired heading back from vacation, you won’t be any good to anyone!
Turn off the computer, silence your mobile devices, grab your running shoes, and head outside – the first day will be upon you before you know it.
You might also be interested in the information and ideas in these blog posts:
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