Call me crazy (you wouldn't be the first one) but I love to walk out the door on the last day of my contract year with the start of next year in place. Sure, my things are in boxes shoved in every nook and cranny of the room so the custodians can clean and buff and make the building shine for fall, but there is nothing like the feeling of hitting the ground running those first few days back. The three things I am going to share with you today are guaranteed to save you some stress come August and help you have a better new school year.
Easy steps to make back-to-school time less stressful
1. Print your labels.
I always print all my labels for journals before I leave for the end of the school year. I know it seems silly, but it means I can quickly and easily prepare folders and journals in the fall.
Since I am going to have to spend a good chunk of time taking all my things back out of boxes, it seems like a good trade-off to not have to fight with the printer while everyone else is trying to figure out how to get their labels to print on the correct side!
2. Make a summer shopping list to get organized.
Before I pack up for the year, I start my shopping list for the next year. I always take a look for anything that is broken or that needs a better organizational system.
I love doing this for two reasons. First, I can wait for sales because let’s be honest, what teacher doesn’t spend a ridiculous amount on their classroom each summer. And second, I hate the rush of people hitting the stores in August…plus what I need always ends up sold out.
3. Outline your plans for the first week of school.
I know what you are thinking. Is she CRAZY!?! We aren’t even done with this year yet, and she is planning for next year!
Hear me out though.
You did some super awesome activities during the first week of school, right?
The kids loved them. You loved them. They were engaging and totally helped you build your class community.
Plug those into your plans for next year…or at least make a list of them (and copies if you have some left).
Sure, the schedule might change, but won’t it be great to have a little less planning to do once you come back?
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