Each August I go back to my teaching job with equal parts excitement, anxiety, and motivation. It’s a fresh start, a chance to try something new with a new set of learners, which is rare in other job fields. A new school year calls for doing a few important tasks, but shouldn’t be totally overwhelming. Here are the five things that I do at the beginning of a new school year.
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Set goals for the school year.
This task is listed first for a reason! I’m sure you’ve spent some time over the summer thinking about what you want to do differently in your classroom, or new procedures that you want to try. Or, maybe you haven’t thought of school once in two months – that’s also cool! Either way, I spend some time during the first couple days back to outline my goals for the school year. It’s important not to over plan, i.e. set 100 goals that just stress you out two weeks into the school year.
Make Copies For the First Two Weeks
I find that as soon as I get behind during the school year it becomes impossible to get caught up. So, in an effort to stay ahead and on top of my grading, copies, planning, etc. I make ALL the copies I need for the first two weeks of school. I do this before school even starts. That means that I’ve also planned my first two weeks of school in advance. Luckily, I have a team of teachers that I work with that help me stay ahead. I love the feeling that this gives me of being prepared! Additionally, it allows us to use our planning time at the beginning of the year more productively since we’re not spending time trying to scramble and plan for the next day.
For example, one of the first assignments we’re doing this school year is a review of linear functions using this Linear Functions Twizzler activity. I order the copies of the student worksheet during the first couple days that teachers are back at work.
Send Home a Parent Email
In order to set a positive tone for the school year I like to send out a parent email during the first couple weeks of school. There are many benefits to sending home an email to parents at the beginning of the school year. First, parents get to know your personality and teaching style, and what to expect from you during the school year. Additionally, sending home a parent email allows you to communicate important information such as school supplies and important upcoming dates. Let’s be honest, some parents never read your emails, but those that do will REALLY appreciate the effort!
Enter Upcoming Assignments in the Grade Book
My school uses Canvas as its online grade book. An expectation associated with Canvas is that teachers enter upcoming assignments before they are due, so that parents and students have a chance to see what needs to be done. To be honest, this task is one that I get behind on. Therefore, I start the year by entering assignments and their corresponding dates into the grade book. Completing this task also makes my life easier when it comes to entering those first few grades of the school year, since it is set up and ready to go!
Set-Up my Classroom for the School Year (Minimally)
I don’t go overboard on classroom decorations. If you like to deck out your space then I think that’s awesome! I just personally prefer a more minimal look, that’s welcoming but not too busy. This is aided by the fact that I share a classroom with other teachers, and teach in multiple rooms. Plus, having a lot to set up can get overwhelming and you feel like you have to get so much done before your students come back from summer break. Instead, I set up my desk with a couple of my favorite pictures, and trinkets. I also set up my organizational systems, like any filing cabinets or stackable trays that I use to file all my copies. Luckily, I don’t have to take any of my wall decor down over the summer, so the classroom is mostly ready to go!
I hope this list inspires you to get ready for the year ahead! Let me know what you do to get ready at the beginning of the school year – I’d love to know!