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Back to School Teacher Tips

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It's that time of year again. Summer is in full swing and fall will be here too soon for most of us.

Time to start organizing and planning! This lens features Teacher Tips to motivate and inspire you.

This is a starting place! Get your classroom organized and ready to go!

Contents at a Glance

Curriculum Overview is #1
Did you know that FlyLady helps teachers...
Classroom Arrangement
Make a Classroom Handbook
Back to School Links
Where Does This Go?

Goals for the Year

Materials needed:
Teacher Textbooks
School Calendar
Personal Calendar
Planning Notebook
Writing Utensil

1. Develop goals for the year.
2. Divide yearly goals into manageable chunks (marking period, month, week, daily goals).

Things to think about:

What will students learn about?
How do all of the pieces fit together?
Is there a theme for the year, marking period, month or week?
What special projects, activities, or field trips will be planned? When?
Will you need any supplies or funding?

Did you know that FlyLady helps teachers?

FlyLady's Teacher Control Journal: If you're familiar with FlyLady, you already know what to expect! If you're a newbie or as FlyLady calls you, a flybaby, then you are in for a treat.

Classroom Arrangement

Where's the Teacher's Desk?

Arranging the classroom is an opportunity for you to begin thinking about your classroom routines. Arrange the classroom in the way that best fits your teaching style.

Teacher's Desk: After a few years, I gave up my desk. I never sat at it and it was always collecting stuff (dust and clutter). Instead of a desk, I prefer a work table and an organized shelving unit. My supplies are within reach and I can work with several students--not just one or two.

I like to arrange my room in zones.

Quiet Zone--for reading and working independently.

Cooperative Zone--working with partners (soft/whisper voice).

Messy Zone--art projects & supplies, snacks, science projects (must clean your space before leaving)

Research & Investigation Zone--dictionaries, encyclopedias, computers, writing materials.

Think about how students will move from one area to another. Use furniture to direct the traffic flow.
If an area is too crowded, experiment with the arrangement.

Make a Classroom Handbook

Parents appreciate the classroom handbook! Teachers like the classroom handbook because it answers frequently asked questions.

1. Design a handbook that is attractive and easy to use.

2. If your handbook is long, include a table of contents and be sure to number the pages.

3. Most handbooks should include:

--Cover Page
--Table of Contents
--Introduction
--Contact Information
--Classroom Schedule
--Schedule of Specials
--Classroom Rules, Policies, and Routines

4. I also like to include:

--Study Hints
--Tips for Success
--School Calendar
--School Information
--Frequently Asked Questions

Back to School Links

Resources, Supplies, Lessons, Tips, Ideas, and more...

Back to School Resources: One stop shopping for Early Childhood resources and supplies --theme--Back to School.
Back to School Teacher Tips: Back to School Teacher Tips from AFT (professional teaching organization).
Teacher Planet: Back to School Information including first day activities, forms, tips, and clipart.
Busy Teacher's Cafe: Links to printable Back to School resources and ideas.
Back to School by Irene: Another great Back to School starting point! Includes a blog about starting the year over. Also links to many educational sites.
14 Activities for the First Day Back to School: Great ideas to build upon!
Top 10: Top 10 things to do before school begins!
Real Teacher: Real Teacher Homepage! Read blogs, find links for teachers and just for fun.

Comments are appreciated! Recomend your favorite teacher sites.

Where Does This Go?

Label Everything!

You've heard it before, "A place for everything and everything in its place". This saying is so true.

Once you have designated a place for everything, label it. Labels make it simpler for everyone. Everyone will know where the item came from and where it should be returned.

Students will know where the scissors belong.
The Substitute teacher will be able to locate needed supplies and equipment.
Anyone who borrows something will know where it belongs.

It will take time to label everything, but it will save time and keep the room organized during the school year.

Welcoming Students Back to School

1. Send a letter or postcard to each student.

Introduce yourself and give a brief overview of the coming year.

I like to include a trivia question, challenge, or assignment (bring a family photo) that will be part of the first week of school.

2. Welcome Back Pack!

I place a special Welcome Back Pack on each desk. Each item in the pack is special!

During the first week or two, the Welcome Back Pack is used to introduce classroom procedures.

Example: A paper lunchsack containing a magnet, a highlighter, a pencil, and a waterbottle.

The magnet is for the attendance/lunch board, the highlighter is for highlighting directions, we always write with pencils, and you are welcome to have a waterbottle at your desk.

Tip: Make it interesting and useful, not just cute.

Classroom Decorations

I love to decorate the classroom! Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

1. Know what is allowed before you decorate. Some classrooms have limitations due to risk of fire (only a percentage of the space can be decorated).

2. Leave space to display student work. Students also enjoy decorating if given the opportunity.

3. Use a theme (from your yearly planning). This will help you to focus.

4. Sit in a student desk. What do you see? Is the decor overwhelming, blah, or attractive?

Back to School Books

Are You Ready?

1. Walk through the first day.

2. Imagine situations that could occur (no sharpened pencil, sickness, etc.). What might you do?

3. Double/Triple check--
Do you have all your materials and lessons planned?
What will you do with extra time? Do you have a back up plan?

Love and Logic Books

Lenses to Enjoy!

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Thoughts & Things

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Please Share Your Thoughts With Us!

Do you have any back to school tips for teachers?
Please share them with us! Thank you.

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thewritingdoctor Jul 13, 2011 @ 11:25 am | delete

Inject your personality and your passions into your classroom. The more you pour yourself out into your classroom, the more your students will absorb. I like your decorating tips. Students need to have fun, enjoy the environment, and be engaged in the lessons to learn effectively.

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outsource123 Nov 29, 2010 @ 11:15 pm | delete

Great lens. Useful for all teachers

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masz09 Sep 10, 2010 @ 9:50 am | delete

Be patient and whatever happens, esepcially something unexpected, just keep on moving... :)

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Diane Sep 7, 2010 @ 9:29 am | delete

Hi I stumbled across you today.
What a wonderful site.
Thanks for sharing!
I have lots of teacher tips for back to school on my blog.
I'm the new kid on the block and just launched at
http://teachwithme.com/
You're welcome to pop on over.

Reply

BooJeeBeads Aug 24, 2010 @ 12:13 pm | delete

Excellent resource for teachers! It doesn't only apply on back-to-school time, but also every day that a teacher prepares herself/himself to go to school. You very well pointed out the details of making your class conducive for learning. Thanks for this very informative lens!
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