As the summer months dwindle, it's nearly time for teachers to settle back into the classroom as the back-to-school season is just around the corner. With all the planning and preparation necessary for the start of a new school year, it can be easy to become overwhelmed.
Going through all the preparations can be both daunting and exciting, and it's important for teachers to remember why this checklist is important. Having a plan in place will help ensure the school year goes as smoothly as possible. It will also help save time and energy during the first few weeks of the school year by providing a roadmap of the tasks that need to be completed. To help you be as prepared as possible, we have created a useful back-to-school checklist for teachers.
Supplies
It is important to make sure the classroom is well organised and all the necessary supplies are in place. This helps to promote an environment of learning and makes the transition to the classroom smoother. To make sure the classroom is ready for the back-to-school period, it is essential that all necessary supplies are in place. This includes classroom supplies for the students such as:
- Pens
- Pencils
- Rulers
- Colouring Pencils
- Scissors
- Whiteboards and Pens
- Glue Sticks
- Exercise Books
- Reading Books
- Folders/Binders
- Art Supplies
Ideally, teachers should have a designated space for each type of supply labeled, so students know where to go to get the materials they need. However, you will also need a few office supplies for yourself including items such as folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.
Arrange the Classroom Set-up
As part of preparing the classroom, putting a seating plan in place for when the students come back to school could help save that extra bit of time. Additionally, desks should already be set up allowing for a smooth transition. You could also choose a theme or decorations for your room. This can range from choosing certain posters, establishing an educational theme, like the solar system, or having more fun decorations, like wall hangings.
Prepare Lesson Plans
Creating lesson plans for the upcoming school year is an essential part of the back-to-school checklist. A lesson plan calendar should be created to plan out each week, determine how long each unit will last, and create outlines for each lesson. Additionally, teachers could take advantage of the various different resources available to them, such as online lesson plans and ideas.
TIP: Ice-breaker activities are always a good idea to include within your first week. You may have new students who have joined the school, so it is a new environment for them with new faces.
Prepare Yourself
An often overlooked part of the back-to-school preparation is taking care of oneself. Creating a schedule is essential, as this helps teachers plan ahead for everything that needs to be accomplished each day and allows teachers to make sure all tasks are completed in a timely manner. Teachers should also review their school's policies and create a classroom management plan for how to handle any issues that may arise during the school year. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it is essential for teachers to take care of themselves.
This checklist has been designed to help teachers prepare for the back-to-school period and can help teachers feel at ease knowing they have put in the time and effort to prepare. While there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to getting ready for the new school year, this checklist is a great starting point to ensure teachers and their students have a successful start to their year.
