Summer break for teachers is a mixed bag. Some teachers want to spend all their time relaxing, reading, and rejuvenating after a busy year. Some teachers want to prepare for the new school year. Either way, you have to do what is most fulfilling for you!
The best way to have a successful year is to set yourself up for success. Part of being a successful teacher is making a plan and sticking to that plan.
Students inside The Organized Teacher Framework™ know I love to say that all the time because it is so important to creating a classroom that is organized and well-planned for the upcoming school year.
Start by following this plan to set up your classroom in an organized way.
10 Things to Prepare for the New School Year
All of these are fleshed out in more detail on the podcast, but here is a quick overview!
10. Choose 10 to 15 Books for the First Week
Line them up on your white board ledge or somewhere with quick and easy access in case you need a time filler or things get crazy and you need something calming to do.
This was great for my very first day of teaching ever when I accidentally packed the kids up an hour before it was time to leave!
Here are some suggestions of diverse books you can read to your students at the beginning of the school year.
9. Plan for Parent Communication
Take time know to decide how frequently you will talk with them and through what platform.
Here are a few of the top classroom communication platforms to choose from.
8. Set a Budget for the New School Year
I know this might seem silly, but it’s so important. Spending all your money on your classroom can lead to burnout! So take time now to figure out how much you will allow yourself to spend each month.
Check out the Teacher Budget Template Resource here.
7. Decide on Classroom Jobs
I firmly beleive that the students should be contributuing to the responsibilities inside the classroom. Don’t hesitate to give them jobs and have them help out with the cleaning in the classroom!
Here are a few posts on getting your kids involved in the classroom:
- 11 Ideas for Elementary Classroom Jobs for Distance Learning
- 10 Classroom Jobs for Elementary Classrooms
- Daily Helper and Team Captain: 2 Must-Have Classroom Jobs
- Classroom Routines and Procedures to Help with Classroom Organization
6. Choose a Focus for the Year
This is really important because there are SO many things you can choose to work on in the upcoming year, but the key here is to pick one focus.
One focus allows you to filter all of your Professional Development decisions through as well as what you will ask for additional support in (and to filter out what things you can let go of this year).
5. Participate in Online Professional Development
With technology today, there are so many opportunities for you to better yourself as an educator right from your own couch.
For starters, check out The Organized Teacher Framework™ to help you create the systems and routines you need for an organized classroom.
You can also check out this podcast episode with lots of other teacher PD opportunities.
4. Create a Management Plan for Your Students
This step is SO important. If you only do one thing this summer, let it be this!
Teachers inside of The Organized Teacher Framework™ know that before we ever get to setting up and organizing our classrooms, we spend plenty amount of time outlining our management plans and procedures.
3. Make a Plan for Time Management
We all have good hopes for the school year and managing our time better. But almost every year, we still struggle to leave at school on time and not take work home.
Part of that is because we don’t have solid time management plans. Be sure to check out this free download on 10 Productivity Tips for Teachers and put some of the time-saving tips in your school year this year.
2. Write Out Routines
Take time to write out your routines for both yourself and your students.
Transitions, expectations for stations, everything you do in a day, write it out so you can plan for it! Inside The Organized Teacher Framework™, I help you create all of your routines!
1. Plan for Meet the Teacher Night
This is your first impression with parents – make it a good one!
You can read about how to have an organized Meet the Teacher Night here.
In Conclusion,
Remember, you don’t need to do ALL of these things. Maybe just pick one or two that will be helpful for you over this summer break.
- Plan for Meet the Teacher Night
- Write Out Your Routines
- Make a Plan for Time Management
- Create a Management Plan for Your Students
- Participate in Online Professional Development
- Choose a Focus for the Year
- Decide on Classroom Jobs
- Set a Budget for the New School Year
- Make a Plan for Parent Communication
- Choose 10-15 Books for the First Week of School
The bolded steps above are all covered inside The Organized Teacher Framework™ course.
Related Posts
Until next time,
If you found this helpful, make sure to pin it to your Pinterest board so you can refer back to it or so other teachers can find it!
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