If you’re still in school for a few more weeks I’ve got some tips to help you before you leave for break! If you’re already out, Happy Summer! Here are 6 things to do before summer break that you’ll thank yourself for in August!
To Do List Before Summer Break
1. Take pictures of your classroom set up.
Standing in the middle of the room and taking pictures or video of all four walls has has saved me so much time! Getting a photo of each wall in your classroom before summer break will make much it easier to set up next year. I can never quite remember where I hung everything the year before and having pictures saves a lot of trial and error.
A picture will show you where you started your number line so it fits on the wall or how you arranged your calendar and math wall to fit in a specific space. Taking a picture of your center rotation boards is a good idea too!
2. Pack your classroom in zones
Using large tubs and packing my room in zones only took me 18 years to figure out! Once I did though, it was life changing! This post will show you how to divide the room into zones and how to strategically pack up before summer break to make set up next year a snap!
3. Make a list of supplies you need for next year.
Many schools give teachers a small supply budget for each school year. Depending on your school this is expected to cover things like office supplies, construction paper, file folders etc. Mine is no different and we place our supply order before we leave for the summer. Starting a list as you clean out cupboards and begin to pack saves you from wracking your brain later and makes sure you order what you need.
Grab these FREE classroom supply labels to use next year.
4. Organize your digital files and save your passwords.
My digital files are usually a mess by the end of the year. Take some time to organize your files before summer break and trash the ones you don’t use. Write down important school and program passwords and lock them in your desk or save them in your phone. You will probably be required to change those passwords when you report back to school, but many of the learning sites you use won’t require that and having the passwords handy saves a lot of time.
5. Pull Meet the Teacher Night materials
I pull what I use for Meet the Teacher Night, put it in a bin and place it last into the cupboard when I pack. That way I can pull it out first even if my classroom isn’t completely set up. Whether your school calls it Back to School Night or Meet the Teacher, it can be hard to get everything ready and plan a stress-free open house to meet your students on top of setting up your classroom.
6. Find your first week of school activities
I also pull all of my favorite first week of school activities, books, and getting to know you games and put those in an easy to access spot in the cupboard. That way you’ll know where the important things are that you’ll use right away when you plan the first week of school.
Taking a little extra time before you leave for summer break will help you so much on the other end! These tips have saved me a lot of time in the past and I hope they help you, too!
Visit these posts for end of the year activities that your students will love!
End of the Year Traditions You’ll Want to Start this Year
10 Fun Things to Do With Your Students the Last Week of School
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