Things you can do to help you have a smoother school year:
Having a smooth and enjoyable teaching year begins with thorough planning and preparation before the school year starts. Here’s how you can set yourself up for success:
Comprehensive Planning
- Create a Yearly Curriculum Map:
- Outline the key topics and units for the entire year.
- Identify major projects, exams, and events.
- Develop Weekly and Daily Lesson Plans:
- Prepare detailed lesson plans for at least the first month.
- Have templates ready for daily lesson plans to streamline the process throughout the year.
- Organize Resources and Materials:
- Gather all necessary textbooks, workbooks, and supplementary materials.
- Create a digital library of resources for easy access and sharing with students.
- Prepare Assessments and Assignments:
- Design quizzes, tests, and major assignments ahead of time.
- Develop rubrics and grading criteria for consistent and efficient grading.
Classroom Management
- Establish Clear Rules and Procedures:
- Clearly define classroom rules, procedures, and expectations. Creating a presentation for students to view this information.
- Behavior Management Plan:
- Develop a plan for handling classroom behavior, including positive reinforcement and consequences. What system will you implement in your classroom? Will you also include this in your presentation?
- Consider using a classroom management app or system to track behavior.
Efficient Classroom Setup
- Organized and Functional Classroom:
- Arrange furniture to facilitate learning and interaction. Have you researched different types of classroom seatings and made your decision?
- Ensure supplies are readily accessible and organized. Do you want things to have labels? Do you want to have a turn-in bin, library etc.
- Engaging Learning Environment:
- Decorate with educational posters, charts, and student-friendly visuals.
- Will you have a bulletin board with cultural aspects?
Leveraging Technology
- Set Up Online Learning Platforms:
- Prepare class pages or groups on platforms like Google Classroom or Canvas.
- Upload resources, assignments, and announcements in advance. Decide which websites you will be using, and if you are comfortable enough using these platforms? Remember even though students are all about technology many of them will struggle and being an expert will help things go smoother.
- Use Educational Apps and Tools:
- Integrate apps and tools that streamline grading, attendance, and communication.
- Explore apps that enhance student engagement and learning. If you haven’t narrow down which one or which ones you will be using.
Effective Communication
- Welcome Letter and Communication Plan:
- Send a welcome letter to students and parents introducing yourself and outlining the year.
- Establish clear communication channels and preferred methods (email, class website, etc.). Will your classes have a newsletter? A website where they can download things? Classes on Google, Canva, Moodle, Nearpod etc.
Professional and Personal Preparation
- Professional Development:
- Complete any required professional development and stay updated on new teaching strategies. If you can take care of this before the school year begins you will thank yourself later.
- Network with other teachers to share ideas and resources. Try to find a teacher bestie that will help you brainstorm things that are needed in the classroom or even the break room.
- Self-Care and Time Management:
- Develop a routine that balances work and personal life to avoid burnout. How will you make sure you are not burned out? Make sure you read my blogpost about teacher burnout.
- Plan your schedule to include time for relaxation and hobbies. Yes, you read that correctly, plan time to relax. Also plan to have a cut-off work time or no work on Saturdays or Sundays.
Do Tasks Ahead of Time
If you really want to get ahead of the game try making copies of any of the crafts, vocabulary list, worksheets etc. that you know you will be using for the school year. Organize these copies into folders by units, or lessons. This is one of my favorite things to do every school year. It helps me have less of those oh I forgot to make copies moments or having to pause to run upstairs to make them. It feels good to just be ready to go. Do you need to Print and Laminate anything?
Make a Goodie Bag: Are there some things you MUST have at all times? For example: Chapstick, chargers, bandaids, granola bars, tiny mirror, pain killers, computer glasses, hair ties? Pack a back that you will take to your classroom. Think of your classroom like your second home, what do you need to be comfortable?
Lastly, this one is funky but it does save you some grace. Plan some emergency outfits. What do I mean? For those days that you are running behind. This stash will obviously need to be replenished before the school year ends, but at that time you can restock on a slow weekend. If you have enough outfits try to plan out 15 outfits that you will wear the first week and 4-5 backup outfits to grab on those days you are running behind (these are usually not your favorite outfits but serve its’ purpose)