Five Must-Dos for Back-to-School

Okay, y’all! I’m thinking some of you are already preparing (or thinking about preparing) your classrooms for the start of school. Perhaps others of you have teaching jobs, but no one is saying what grades you’ll teach or which classrooms you’ll occupy. And, hopefully, there aren’t too many of you who are still waiting to be contacted about a teaching position for back-to-school. If you’re in this last bunch, my fingers and toes are crossed for you!

Here’s my question: when time becomes an issue, what five tasks must be completed before students arrive on the first day of school? Here’s my list. What would you put on your list?

  1. Settle on a plan for classroom management. Even if your plan is only for the first week, have it ready.
  2. Plan and prepare for several first-day activities. It’s better to have too much planned than not enough. If time allows, plan beyond the first day.
  3. Ask a colleague who is familiar with your new school’s policies and procedures to coach you on what you must know to cruise through the first few days of school. Learn the rest later.
  4. To stay on top of first-week paperwork, label one tray or box “in” and the other “out.” It will do the trick for the first few days.
  5. Do what you can to make your classroom inviting. If there’s no time, don’t fret. A warm welcome from you on the first day is most important.

Thanks for your help!
Diane


13 thoughts on “Five Must-Dos for Back-to-School

  1. I would add the following:

    1. Have the Birthday list ready.

    2. Have the children’s name on the door, nameplates, etc. The parents and the children will want to find their name. It makes them feel special!

    3. Remind parents for extra set of clothes, for any kind of accidents: spilling juice or milk, bathroom accident, etc.

    4. Remind children they are having fun!

    5. Take pictures that show parents their children are having fun!

    6. Enjoy the children and have fun yourself!! Fun and learning are contagious!!!

  2. My list is to have:
    1. the first week plans and prep ready to go
    2. name tags and all things with names on them and finsihed
    3. Moe monkey ready to go.
    4. Energency cards gone over and complete
    5. a smile, a hug and good attitude for the kids and families.

  3. I would like to add my must haves:

    1. Have a transp. home list on a clipboard for parents to fill out before they leave the classroom.

    2. I also send home a “Student Info. Sheet” for parents/guardians to fill out, TO BE RETURNED THE VERY NEXT DAY which includes:

    transp. home, health concerns, D.O.B., mailing address, medications taken, emerg. contact #’s and names, &so forth.
    3. OOPS! I about forgot this one: Have a CURRENT bus route/sched. for confirming CORRECT bus to ride home on with the parent or older sibling.

    4. I also have empty boxes labeled with school supplies names for sorting the FLOOD of MEGA supplies that come through my door.

    (O: HAVE A SUPER YEAR!!!

  4. 1. name tags laminated and on desks, and students’ names on the word wall and birthday chart
    2. find the book about Chester Raccoon’s first day of school
    3. prep papers for kid’s handprints
    4. enlist a volunteer to paint kid’s handprints
    5. make lesson plans

  5. 1. Have brown paper bags from the grocery store at every seat, labeled with students’ names. Students can place their supplies in the bags as they come in.

    2. Find out who will be picking up the students. (PreK is not allowed to ride the bus in my district.)

    3. Have emergency forms ready to pass out to parents – to be completed a.s.a.p.

    4. Have first week lesson plans ready to go.

    5. Have first week classroom learning activities/centers ready to go.

    Have a great year, everyone! 🙂

  6. I would have the following prepared:
    1. Have your class list of children ready.

    2. Have their names on all their cubbies, and tables

    3.Very important, have the first weeks plans ready to go.

    4.Prepare a fun morning circle activity to introduce yourself and get to know each other.

    5. And most important, HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

  7. Have your desk ready for work.
    a)Lesson plans
    b)Place for the incoming papers
    c)Something that makes you smile(picture of pet/loved one, plant, favorite quote)
    d)Your favorite pen/pencil
    e)Calendar

  8. Here is my list:

    1. My lesson plans for the first week.

    2. Student names on chart near door so chldren and parents know they are in the right room.

    3. Going home list for parents to fill out.

    4. Nametags for going to breakfast and lunch and another on tables.

    5. Paper for children to “write” on for monthly page for the Our Stories book that my students do every year. Some students may just draw or color.

    6. Morning Message that reads: Good Morning Class!:) My name is Mrs. Hyer. I am so happy you are here!

    7. The Kissing Hand and Mrs. Bindergarten Got Ready for Kindergarten near rocking chair for Read Aloud.

  9. 1. NAMES…names on desks, mailboxes, coat racks, and lots of name labels ready to put on folders and supplies.
    2. Checklist of supplies…Who has what and not what.
    3. Be ready to lay down the rules..love to use “Have you Filled My Bucket” book.
    4. Birthday bags ready to go for the year. I put a pencil, birthday sticker, bookmark, coupon for no homework, coupon for “sit by a friend”, and a small toy trinket.
    5. Bus list of who rides what bus, who are car riders, etc.
    6. Cheerful smile and lots of energy!

  10. My top 5 would be;
    1- lesson plans
    2- Names on desks and door
    3- after school information
    4- Books for reading and activities
    5- Lots of welcoming smiles

  11. My list inlclues:
    1. Names on cubbies,chairs, circle rug, name tags.
    2. Picture of each child posted in cubby
    3. Releases and permissions for each child
    4 . Extra set of clothes for each child sent in from parents
    5. Picture of child and family members to help ease with separation

    Have a fun with your class!

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