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Are You Ready for Week One of School?

Whether we like it, or not, as educators we do have to go back to school!  The difference is are you prepared, or not?  I will not return to my classroom for a little over a month, but this does not mean that I don't already have a game plan for the first week of school.  Read the 5 basic ways I stay on track for my return to school to be smooth and successful!

1. Make a List and Check It 1,000 Times

What?! Summer?  …. Yep!  Some of you really, really, REALLY enjoy your summer off, and hats of to you.  But I am one of the few that is guilty as can be in regards to working during the summer.  It is something that drives me to stay busy …. and well {dare I say it?} perhaps I should be a year round teacher.  Anyways, make a list and check it a bazillion times.  What are the things you know you need to do before returning in the end of summer fall?  Your list could have 5 things, or as many as 100.  As a real educator, we know that our ‘lists' are really never finished, they just help us stay level-headed(ish).

2. Review Curriculum Once More

Are you someone that fits in one of these categories: New Teacher, New School, New District, New State, or Been Teaching For Years On End?!  Guess what?!  You still NEED to read the curriculum.  It does not matter if it is year one or year 20, cracking the manual for a refresh is a great way to remember what is coming up …. or remember that you made a note to “never teach it that way again”.

3. Copies and Laminating


Are you a lucky duckling that is able to gain access to your building over the summer, you love the quiet time (when no other teachers are hogging the copier), and you can leave everything in your classroom?  You SHOULD, absolutely, take advantage of this!!
OR
Maybe you are the opposite.  You cannot get back into your building this summer, or you are moving to a new building and have yet to familiarize yourself with the area.  Where are you making copies and laminating?  I suggest splurging a tiny bit and getting a printer and personal laminator.  Both have come down quite a bit in price since teachers have become more interested in working from home.
Either way, having these types of tedious activities done will make you feel a lot less stress when you do return to school.
4. Get a Planner

If you are notorious for filling out lists, charts, forms, puzzles, etc.  I can assume that you love to fill out planners.  I think it is especially great to get a new one, not too long after the previous school year ends.  This will give you enough time to fill in all the dates you are aware of, or need to remember (like professional development days or district responsibility days).  Click the link below to get an idea of some amazing planners waiting just for you!




5. The Games and Stories


It is a great idea to have an idea of what you would like to do during your first week back.  If you are fortunate, like myself, to start back half way into the first week, then starting new lessons are not necessarily ideal.  Not only should you have a few ice breaker games to play so that your students can familiarize themselves with one another, it is also a great way to gain an understanding of how your new class loves to learn and how you can help them overcome any fears, or first day jitters, they may have.  Look for some excellent games that are labeled ‘first day' or ‘back to school', this will make the search much easier.  When you are thinking of stories, keep it simple.  You do not want to search for a super long novel, rather a book that is shorter and can send a positive message to your students in the beginning, like The Potato Chip Champ!

In the end, these are just some simple things to keep your summer flowing, but simple and organized.  It is always a good idea to have a game plan! Enjoy this All About Me graphic organizer!

 All About Me // Graphic Organizer

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