Everyone knows that we as teachers spend some of our summer break prepping for the new year. What can you do to prepare NOW for your return to school? Read on for ten ideas that will make your August easy!
Organizing
Organizing your teaching life is something that often falls to the wayside during the busy school year. But, taking some time at the end of the year or over the summer to organize will help you feel so much more prepared when August comes!
Organize Your Classroom
Papers shoved into random files, toys with missing pieces, books shoved into any old bin… sound familiar? By the end of a busy year, the classroom can feel like a chaotic mess. You might be tempted to just deal with things later, but it will feel so much better to walk into a clean room in August. You can even get your students involved in organizing the room! Kids can do tasks like can sorting books, checking puzzles for completeness, or manning the recycle bin.
Organize Your Digital Files
If you are anything like me, you have a digital filing system that could use some TLC! I store everything I use on my Google Drive, and by the end of the school year I sometimes start slacking on putting things into folders. If you are a person who stores things on their desktop, you might have a ton of folders floating on your screen. Taking a little time to organize your digital files makes a HUGE difference! Not only will things look nicer, it will be so much easier to find what you need!
Planning
Planning for the new school year is so exciting! Once you have a little info about your placement and caseload, you can start brainstorming.
Get to Know Your New Class
As my class list becomes available, I start reading through my students’ IEPs to help get set up for the new school year. Filling out IEP at a Glance sheets helps me feel prepared, and allows me to easily share student info with other teachers who need it.
Plan for the First Days of School
The first few days of school are crucial for setting the tone of your classroom for the year! I love using the First Ten Days of School lesson plans and activities. Planning those first days and preparing the materials I need helps me feel confident on day one with my class!
Make a Game Plan for the Year
Of course, special education teachers know that every day comes with its own surprises! We often have to make decisions about what we teach on a day-by-day (or even minute-by-minute!) basis. But, creating an outline for the school year can be a super helpful way to feel more prepared. I do this each summer and it makes makes my school year run more smoothly. If I ever feel unsure about what to teach next, I am able to just pull out my plans and get myself back on track!
Preparing
One of the best things you can do now is to prepare your materials and classroom space for August. Your future self will thank you for having things ready!
Prepare to Work with Paraprofessionals
It seems inevitable that each year we work with new paraprofessionals in our classrooms. The teacher and para should be a team, and one of the best ways to make that happen is by providing clear expectations for your classroom. Even before I know who I will be working with, I prepare Paraprofessional Binders for the new school year. That way, on the first day we are able to meet, I can go over everything I need paras to know.
Prepare for Your New Students
There are so many student materials that you can prep over the summer. Name tags, file folders, task boxes, and student visual schedules are all items I create during my down time. With my home laminator, I can churn out new materials while I watch TV or listen to my favorite podcast! Pro tip: Always make an extra version of each item you are preparing so it will be ready in case a new student pops up!
Prepare Your Space
If you are able to get into your classroom over the summer, getting things done in the room will help you feel prepared when August hits. I understand that not everyone wants to go to school over the summer! However, I find the empty school to be a peaceful place, and I am able to be so much more productive in my space when no one else is in the school.
Learn Something New
Another great way to prep for the new year is by learning something new! Checking out a course, like Simple Self-Contained 101, Even just reading some educational articles or searching for activity ideas on the blog is so inspiring!
Restoring
The tenth – and most important! – item on this list is to make some time for YOU before school starts! Make sure you spend some time doing things that will restore you mentally. For me, sipping a cold drink and reading a book by the pool does the trick! Incorporating some self-care ensures that you will be ready to be your best self when school starts. You deserve it!
Spending some time preparing for back-to-school time will make things SO much easier in August! What do you do to prep for a new school year? Share your ideas in a comment!
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