Summer has officially ended for me. School is back in session!
Here in Georgia, school is starting back up, with the first day of school being today. The students can rushing in ready to start a new year. Teachers came in their nicest clothes to greet students with smiling faces. Everyone was ready to get back to learning.
My first day was pretty awesome. I got right into setting up procedures and rules for my classroom. I teach Spanish at an elementary school and I see every student at my school. It was great to see the familiar faces of my students from last year, and also to meet some new friends.
So, today I want to make a list of things to take care of before the first day of school. For teachers, there is so much to get set up and ready. Here are my top essential things I get ready before the first day of school.
1. Lesson Plan - Definitely be always prepared with a lesson plan. Make sure the lesson plan is engaging and relevant for students. In addition, it's better to be over prepared, than under-prepared. It's better to run out of time, than be under-prepared and not know what to do next.
2. Set up and decorate the classroom - I am a teacher that likes to get into the school a week or two early and set up my classroom even before teachers have to come back. Setting up the classroom and know exactly where all the materials are located and how you want the general your class to flow in general.
Examples of things to set up first: Tables or desk, labels for tables, whiteboard, table with materials, cubies or bins, teacher desk, bookshelf or class library, etc.
3. As a Specials teacher I print all the class list rosters, for all the classes in the school. This might not apply if you are a regular classroom teacher. You would just print your own class list.
4. Make copies - This seems so simple, but again if you aren't prepared for the first day and the first week of school with copies and materials, it can create chaos and confusion if you don't have your materials, which can also lead to behavior issues if you have to stop to make copies, leaving students bored out of their mind.
5. Meal Prep - Prep your meals for the week or if you're like me and forget to do so, at least prep the night before the first day of school.
6. Prepare all other materials for the lesson plan
7. Make sure all your electronics work- Make sure you can connect to your projector, all HDMI cords work, make sure you can connect to your school announcements or news (if you have those), and make sure your classroom printer works and is connected. (In addition, for me personally, make sure your microphone and pencil sharpener is still functional, as well as the document camera. These are essential for my Spanish classroom.
Well, that's pretty much it for the main things I prepare before the first day of school. Obviously this will vary teacher by teacher. Overall, if you go into the teaching career, make sure to be prepared and have a clear, fun lesson.
Thanks!
Here in Georgia, school is starting back up, with the first day of school being today. The students can rushing in ready to start a new year. Teachers came in their nicest clothes to greet students with smiling faces. Everyone was ready to get back to learning.
My first day was pretty awesome. I got right into setting up procedures and rules for my classroom. I teach Spanish at an elementary school and I see every student at my school. It was great to see the familiar faces of my students from last year, and also to meet some new friends.
So, today I want to make a list of things to take care of before the first day of school. For teachers, there is so much to get set up and ready. Here are my top essential things I get ready before the first day of school.
1. Lesson Plan - Definitely be always prepared with a lesson plan. Make sure the lesson plan is engaging and relevant for students. In addition, it's better to be over prepared, than under-prepared. It's better to run out of time, than be under-prepared and not know what to do next.
2. Set up and decorate the classroom - I am a teacher that likes to get into the school a week or two early and set up my classroom even before teachers have to come back. Setting up the classroom and know exactly where all the materials are located and how you want the general your class to flow in general.
Examples of things to set up first: Tables or desk, labels for tables, whiteboard, table with materials, cubies or bins, teacher desk, bookshelf or class library, etc.
3. As a Specials teacher I print all the class list rosters, for all the classes in the school. This might not apply if you are a regular classroom teacher. You would just print your own class list.
4. Make copies - This seems so simple, but again if you aren't prepared for the first day and the first week of school with copies and materials, it can create chaos and confusion if you don't have your materials, which can also lead to behavior issues if you have to stop to make copies, leaving students bored out of their mind.
5. Meal Prep - Prep your meals for the week or if you're like me and forget to do so, at least prep the night before the first day of school.
6. Prepare all other materials for the lesson plan
7. Make sure all your electronics work- Make sure you can connect to your projector, all HDMI cords work, make sure you can connect to your school announcements or news (if you have those), and make sure your classroom printer works and is connected. (In addition, for me personally, make sure your microphone and pencil sharpener is still functional, as well as the document camera. These are essential for my Spanish classroom.
Well, that's pretty much it for the main things I prepare before the first day of school. Obviously this will vary teacher by teacher. Overall, if you go into the teaching career, make sure to be prepared and have a clear, fun lesson.
Thanks!
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