As teachers and moms the beginning of the year is exciting, fun and stressful.
Each year summer seems to fly by. Before you know it, the school year is ready to start again and if you are a teacher and a mom you have a million things to do. It’s important to spend some time recharging your batteries in the summer, but summer can also be a great time to plan and prepare for the upcoming school year.
After several months away, preparing for a new school year can be overwhelming and intimidating. Whether you spent the summer relaxing or working, the transition to the regular routine of the school week can be a challenge.
Planning for the beginning of the year is so important to make it a smooth transition for your children, your students and yourself.
Here are twelve ways you can make the transition back into the school year a smooth one for everyone:
Create a First Day of School Script – Write down a list of everything that you need to accomplish or do the first day and the first week of school. Make one list for the classroom which includes things like greet each student at the door, welcome students to class, introduce yourself and arriving and leaving procedures. Also make a list of things you need to do at home which includes things like set out child’s clothes, make sure backpack is ready and your kid’s teacher’s name and room number.
Bulk Up on Items – Buy anything and everything you can that doesn’t go bad for the house for August and September. These things might include, toilet paper, tissue, paper towels, deodorant, face cream and lotion. You may not have as much time to shop with all the weird days and late nights which may include the first day of school, parent night, curriculum nights and drop off days.
Prepare Frozen Foods – Get frozen dinners or make your own so the first six weeks of school are set. If possible even fill your freezer with easy breakfast options.
Get on a Schedule – At least a week before school starts get you and your kids back on a regular schedule. This will make getting up early on that first day a little easier. If possible send your kids to daycare or preschool a week early so they can get back into a routine and you can get into your classroom and start preparing before everyone else gets there.
Put Together a Survival Kit – Make a survival kit to keep in your desk (consider making one for your car too) which includes things such as tissues, safety pins, Band-Aids, hand lotion, a snack, tea bags or coffee singles, bottled water, breath mints, hand sanitizer, headache pills, a stain remover stick, a small flashlight and chap stick.
Obtain a School Calendar – Get a school calendar (or two) to keep on your desk (I keep one at work and one at home). Put all the holidays, professional development days and scheduled late school nights and any other big events for your family.
Plan Your Room Arrangement - Think about challenges you had last year and how to alleviate them. Sketch it out and imagine the flow of traffic.
Plan Routines and Procedures - If you’ve never done this before, write out every single procedure you plan to teach your students. If you have, read through it and add, take away, or change where necessary.
Write Your First Week Plans - Now think about what you’ll teach that first week. Plan it all out so that you aren’t trying to plan, rearrange your classroom, make copies, label things, create bulletin boards, and any other tasks required by your administration.
Plan Out Your Year - Look at your district calendar and plan out what you’ll teach each week of the year. Map out which unit fits where.
Get Organized - Is your desk always a mess? Do you struggle to keep track of papers? Summer is a great time to tackle organizing projects.
Update Your Welcome Letter - Students love getting a welcome letter at the beginning of school. It makes them feel special and it’s a way for them to get to know you a little better. If you have not sent students a welcome letter in the past, use this opportunity to create one.
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect, just a little better each year. Go easy on yourself. Keep your expectations realistic, so you don’t burn out. Find a balance between relaxing and being productive and try to enjoy your summer.