I know it’s Wordless Wednesday but first I have to say Happy Birthday to my amazing husband! He is so talented, caring, sweet, and super supportive of everything I do! I am amazingly blessed to have him in my life! This picture was from a friend’s wedding that we were in last summer. <3 Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Every year during the first week of May, I start a box for “Beginning of the Year Stuff” for the following school year. I prep things I am 100% sure I will use (laminate name tags for desks, copy parent survey that goes home at Open House, behavior calendars for the whole year get created and copied, Magic Dough cards from my First Week Fun pack get copied for the first day of school, etc.)
What do you do to prep for next year?
Isn't it funny how we anxiously await the end of the school year, but begin planning for the next? One of the things that I'm doing right now for next year is make book selections. I teach three sections of Language Arts in the Middle Grades. I typically have my kiddos read two novels over the summer with which we then work during the first nine weeks. I'm finalizing my selections this week and will be writing my parent letters this weekend.
Have a great week,
Angela
I make lots of lists, then lose them all in the process of packing up (and moving classrooms, which I've had to do every year I've taught!!)
Erin
Learning to be awesome
Ah! I have a list, but that's it! It's my first year so I'm still learning… right now I just want this year to be over and not to think about work for a while – ha! However, you just inspired me! I'm going to get going so I can not stress about it over the summer. 🙂
Kristin
My Carolina Classroom
I haven't done anything to prepare for next year! At this point, I'm attempting to keep my head above water and taking one day at a time. We are going through some changes next year (many people moving, teams changing, etc) so I'm not sure what I'm going to prepare ahead of time other than a good clean out of my classroom! I'm impressed with your planning ahead 🙂
Amanda
A Very Curious Class
I have usually packed a box like you do but you took it to the next level with things already copied and ready! I will definitely do that this time! Thanks! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I LOVE your box idea! I usually have a million to-do lists going for the beginning of the year! Last year, I actually made all my copies for our Sneak-a-Peek and the first week of school. I had everything organized and ready for when I came back for pre-planning! It was amazing!
Chandra
Teaching with Crayons and Curls
I think one of the best things about teaching is that the year always ends and another one always begins! I never thought of starting a box for new year ideas, but I love it. There were a few things I always did the first week of school and I would have parent volunteers help prep them for me. I would also spend time reflecting on the ending year. What routines, activities, etc. worked well? What things didn't go so well? I would also pick out at least one professional book to read over the summer.
This will be my time prepping for a new school year – so needless to say I don't have any routines I normally go through. But I totally love the idea of creating a box of things that are prepped for the new school year! I will for sure be starting my own soon, thanks for the great idea! 🙂
Bryce
SecondGradeStampede
I try to end the year with my bulletin boards done for the beginning of school and all my materials organized in my cupboards and nicely labeled to begin the new school year. I also keep a notebook with ideas for the next school year. Usually I have a plan for a new classroom layout and theme. Not to say that none of this changes over the summer but it makes me feel good to think I know where I am going and have a head start on the new year.
I LOVE your idea of preparing a box now for that first week next year. Your First Week Fun pack looks awesome! Does it include the parent survey you show in the picture? Maria
I already have my box going! It makes going back so much easier and less stressful!
I copy a lot of stuff I know I will need also, especially reading assessments and name tags!
I try to have everything clean and organized so it is easier when I get back from summer break.
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
I start copying as much as I can for the crazy first week back too! One year, we returned in August to find we had no paper!!!! I learned my lesson after that! I never thought to box it up! Great tip!
Jeannine
Creative Lesson Cafe
That is one nice picture of the two of you. Happy bday to your hubby.
Tania
mysecondsense
First of all, your blog design might be the cutest one I've ever seen! dots, stripes, and GLITTER all in bright colors!!! LOVE it! 🙂 To prep for next year!? Ahhh! There are so many changes going on in my crazy school, I hope to find out the grade level and subject area I am going to TEACH before for the end of this year so I can prep! That stresses me out!
Theresa
Pinkadots Elementary
Thanks for the link-up. Great fun. I didn't realize I do several things until I started writing this comment! I have storage boxes labeled by month that I keep on a high shelf. Once a month I pull out the step stool, put one box up, and take the next one down– I keep two at an easily reachable height at all times. In another couple weeks I'll be switching them again and taking down "September" to start putting in new ideas I want to try. I also start Pinning with Start-of-School activities in mind 🙂 And I start draft posts about things I do or will try in September, too. Hopefully as I share them over the summer they'll help others, and help me remember and prep what I want to do 🙂
I have a notebook that I write down my ideas for the next school year all THROUGHOUT the year! This will be my 4th year teachings and my notebook has really helped me improve my teaching.
http://www.simpleinsights.blogspot.com
At the end of every year, I make it a point to reorganize the file cabinet before I leave for the summer! It is a nice thing to come back to in September! Now, I am going to go link up…finally!
~Michelle
from Well, Michelle?
I do the exact same thing. I have all my behavior charts, early finisher packets, and morning works copied along with my first week of school stuff and parent letters. I am so excited to not have to rush around doing that this year. 🙂