5 Ways to Simplify Your Back to School Prep

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

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

What?! Summer? …. Yep! Some of you enjoy your summer off, and hats off to you. But I am one of the few guilty of working during the summer. It drives me to stay busy …. and {dare I say it?} Perhaps I should be a year-round teacher. Anyways, make a list and check it a billion times. What must you do before returning at the end of summer fall? Your list could have 5 things or as many as 100. As real educators, we know that our ‘lists’ are never finished, but they 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 can 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 take advantage of this!!

Maybe you are the opposite. You cannot get back into your building this summer or 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, completing these tedious activities will reduce your stress when you return to school.

4. Get a Planner

If you are notorious for filling out lists, charts, forms, puzzles, etc., I can assume you love filling out planners. Getting a new one soon after the previous school year ends is especially great. This will give you enough time to fill in all the dates you know or need to remember (like professional development days or district responsibility days). Click this link for an idea of some amazing planners waiting for you! These are my favorites right now, and I order one each summer to prepare for the new school year. I am a hard copy girl, and it is easier for me.

5. The Games and Stories

Knowing what you want to do during your first week back is a great idea. If you are fortunate, like me, to start back halfway into the first week, then starting new lessons is not necessarily ideal. Not only should you have a few icebreaker games to play so that your students can familiarize themselves with one another, but 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 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 but a shorter book that can send a positive message to your students in the beginning, like The Potato Chip Champ!

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