Are you looking for back-to-school tips for teachers? Check out our list.
- Let go of last year. Start this year fresh.
- Shift your classroom layout from last school year. Keeping things fresh helps to motivate you.
- Set up desks, tables, and cabinets in a way conducive to learning.
- Purchase a new planner, tote bag, note cards, and other items to help you start the year with a fresh perspective.
- Provide your space with personality as well as structure. Adorn your classroom in a way that reflects your personality and teaching style. You will feel comfortable when you are in your element.
- Provide parents and learners a good first impression by approaching the year with a well-thought-out and organized plan.
- Plan an outline of the first few weeks for parents.
- Adorn your door and a bulletin board within your classroom.
- Piece together the first month of lesson plans with lots of interactivity to get all your learners involved. Let them collaborate and get to know one another.
- Learn all your learners’ names by the end of the first week. This is an important way to earn their respect.
- Plan your lessons. You don’t want your learners to be left with 15 minutes of nothing to do.
- Choose great books to read during those first days that will grab your learners’ attention and get them excited about starting the school year.
- Develop class spirit. Give your classroom a name and create a team environment within your classroom.
- Cooperate with other teachers. Joining forces within your team will empower you.
- Develop relationships. Get to know the staff. There will be a good time when you need their assistance.
- Become involved in school activities and staff functions. Be a known face around your school. Don’t stay isolated.
- Locate a colleague to whom you can turn for advice, share your triumphs, or simply unload about a classroom challenge.
- Build up your parent community. Contact parents within the initial week of school. Gaining parents’ trust is paramount.
- Open the doors of communication with parents. Give your learners’ parents your preferred contact information. Encourage questions.
- As you connect with others throughout the year, remember to keep an open mind and be willing to accept advice. It shows you are willing to grow Think Ahead & Organize
- Create a checklist. Write down everything you need to have a successful first few weeks. Then, work your way down the list.
- Take the time to understand the curriculum you will be teaching. Prioritize the standards that are essential and map them across the year.
- Get your class blog, webpage, and/or wiki ready.
- Make the first seating chart and label the desks. This initial seating chart could change quickly after the first few days of school, but you need a starting point.
- Create or update your substitute folder to include a seating chart, discipline plan, class bell schedule, and emergency lessons or activities.
- Keep good accounting records from the get-go. Establish a place for expense receipts that could be deductions come tax time.
- Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try incorporating a new teaching strategy. Stay early, so you are prepared.
- Set goals and decide on benchmarks for what you want your learners to achieve.
- Keep the principal informed. If you plan to do anything new or unusual, make certain to run it by the principal well in advance.
- Start a communications log. A situation could occur where you need to show off your efforts.
- Don’t find yourself and your learners twiddling your thumbs. Your class control will go out the window fast. Keep games on hand for a moment’s downtime. Even “plan B” is still a plan!
- Don’t shortchange your own growth. Set goals for you to enhance specific areas of weakness.
- Build first-day activities that help learners learn about each other and you. Activities that move learners around will make them comfortable in the classroom.
- Don’t forget to smile. A smile is a great way to give learners exactly what they need.
- Compose a “Welcome To My Class” letter to learners. Share some facts about yourself.
- Collaboration is your friend, so begin this on day one. Get your learners involved with setting classroom best practices or rules. When children are a part of this important task, it becomes personal and gives them the incentive to meet these goals.
- Once class rules have been completed, post them in a place where all learners can see them, and you can refer to them when needed.
- Focus on the constructive actions of your learners. Give lots of praise when procedures are done well.
- Show respect to your learners by giving it and expecting it to be returned. Then do it again and again.
- Establish a personal relationship with every learner. Ask your learners about themselves. Prove you care about their wellbeing.
- Give positive discipline. When learners are corrected with love and patience, it encourages them to be their best.
- Help them to reach out if they need help in any way. Learners need to be their own best advocates.
- Give yourself pep talks about having lots of patience and a sense of humor.
- Spend your workdays planning. A well-thought plan should include built-in downtime.
- Toss in some laughter. Have a joke of the day. You’re relaxed just thinking about it, right?
- The start of school can be very hectic. A few deep breaths will help you decompress. Remember, learners are nervous too.
- Get yourself ready. Exercise, eat well, and rest. Keep it going throughout the school year.
- Plan a massage after the first week of school. Enough said on this one!
- Stay flexible. Things happen, and the best-made plans will be affected.
- Always give 100%. If you try your best, you will always be your best version of yourself.
