Hello,
What do you do to prepare for going back to school? Are there things you prepare for students that are new each year? I am going to do the following:
birthday chart
helper chart
lunch count corner
homework folders
math folder
Stuck on what else I might need. Hoping to avoid a frantic rush at the end!
Thank you!!
Some ideas...
> write names on desk or table name plates and attach.
> sharpen pencils
> prep calendar area
> make a check-off list with kids' names to use for various things throughout the year
> set up any online programs you may use with kids' names like Class Dojo, XtraMath, reading or math online components.
> make index cards with kids' usernames and passwords if needed.
> prep small group rotation charts for literacy and math stations/centers, Daily 5, or whatever system you use.
> prepare name cards, which will be the first words added to the word wall.
> prep beginning of year testing materials (for me, it's DIBELS booklets, Dolch Word lists, and pre=tests from our ELA and math programs).
> prep writing journals
Here's my master list but everything might not apply for your particular school. We're lucky to have a lot of time before school starts so this is what I try to get done for summer prep:
Before leaving for the Summer:
Create a Procedure Handbook that includes all of the procedures that you want to go over with your students during the first days of school. I post this on the school website.
Create and post parent sign ups on the classroom website: Fall conference sign up, Volunteer sign up, How I go home information, etc.
Post the ABC booklet Parent handbook on the classroom website (this will be reviewed at Back to School night)
Post a classroom map on the door so the custodians know how to set up the furniture over the summer
Create/Review a draft of a year-long Curriculum Map of the upcoming school year that includes as many special events and units that you know of that will take place throughout the school year.
At home during the Summer (if time allows)
Read any professional literature that I'm interested in.
Day 1 in the classroom (before official day)
Wipe all surfaces and shelves in the rooms.
Spray faux flowers with water to get the dust off
Make sure all furniture is in place. (If I give the custodians a classroom map of my furniture, they move it for me!)
Unpack the rest of the room and put into place (i.e. books, school supplies, teacher supplies, etc)
Make sure all signs and bulletin boards are ready.
Check to see if any signs or labels need to be replaced. If so, replace.
Day 2 in the classroom (before official day)
Xerox worksheets for first two weeks (based on last year, will finalize plans later)
Xerox science and social studies unit textbook tests for the year
Xerox sets of poems of the week for the year
Xerox bulk supply of homework reading logs
Xerox bulk supply of behavior sheets
Xerox bulk supply of writing paper
Xerox words their way sort copies for most sorts that we usually use throughout the year
Xerox DRA copies based on levels from previous year
Organize these papers and store the copies.
Put one handwriting book and blank journal in each student desk. \
Remove math disposable practice and test sheets from mailing boxes and organize
Official Pre-Planning Days
Attend staff development meetings and file away notes
Skim through cum folders
Print off welcome letter that will be mailed to students' homes along with school class assignment papers
Print out directions sheet for Open house (so students know where to put supplies) along with printed signs for where to put community supplies
Laminate and tape "You're the Write Stuff" to pencils for open house
Double check with admin, then print out ABC parent handbook for Back to School night
Print and laminate cookie message for parents and add one cookie in a ziplock bag for each desk.
Finalize plans for first two weeks
Save names for last:
Double check classlist changes!
Ask previous teacher about nick names of students and suggestions for seating chart
Type/Print names for desktop word wall and cubbies and attach
Print off checklist of student names
Print labels for lunch/computer id cards
Type names into RAZ Kids and Class Dojo
Print off parent letters for RAZ kids and Class Dojo
Type names for lunch choice flipchart
Type names for center station flipchart
Type names for calendar flipchart
Write names on guided reading journals and store on teacher shelf
Type names for word wall
Type names for cover sheet of Home folder, slip in, and file all paperwork from the office that goes home to parents on first day of school
BUT!!! I can't believe all the Xerox/ worksheet copying you all do in the US. What a waste of paper. For a reading log for example, we buy a gorgeous little book for each child from local publishers. We are not allowed to photocopy homework booklets and other 'packets' as you call them.
Our photocopying of general worksheets is limited by Admin to 7000 for the school YEAR. We each have a machine code. We have 28 students in each class on average. If we go over our limit, suddenly, the machine just stops and it's too bad. Its maddening but I can also see the other 'environmental' side. Just think- what can we do....? How would you go with this school based rule??
I always make a parent packet that let's parents know what to expect for the coming school year. I tell them the procedures for homework, reading log. dress code etc.
I also make a science/social studies folder for my students.
See this is the problem which you're contributing to. Quit the packets already. Kids often hate sheets anyway.
You need to email this info to parents. No print outs needed. Reading Logs could be in a lined book or buy a Reading Record book (little A5 size that are published).
Please save paper everyone- we all need to do our part!
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08-06-2017, 06:06 AM
Quit the packets already. Kids often hate sheets anyway.
