A first year teacher classroom checklist can help you get started over the summer! One of the hardest things to know is what you can actually prepare for during the summer. These 10 things will help you get started!
1. Choose a focus for the year
As much as you’ll want to…you can not do it all. So decide what you want to focus on this year. I highly suggest the focus of your first year should be classroom management. That’s why my next two points are about classroom management.
2. Plan Routines & Procedures
One of the things you can prepare over the summer is planning out your routines and procedures. How will you handle pencils, turning in papers, supplies, etc. I have a whole guidebook that will walk you through planning out your routines & procedures. You can click here to sign up for the guidebook.
3. Classroom Management Plan
Summer is a great time to think about what will be your class rules and consequences. You can decide if you want to have a class store or would like to use a specific management system like Class Dojo.
4. Standards & Learning Targets
It’s difficult to plan lessons over the summer, but you can print out your state standards. I put them in my teacher’s binder, but you could also laminate them and put them on a ring to have for easy access. You can type out learning targets or “I can” statements for each standard, so you have those ready to go for the fall.
5. Decor
Decide if you’re going to DIY your classroom decor or buy it. There are super cute decor packs on Teacher Pay Teachers for decent prices. Some of the things you can prepare:
- Bulletin Board titles
- Birthday board
- Class jobs
- Posters
- Wall Displays
6. Classroom Library
You should be collecting books and building your classroom library! Decide how you want to organize your library. Then you can begin collecting baskets and bins. Then start labeling your books because that takes the longest.
7. Virtual PD
Attend virtual professional development. There’s so much amazing virtual PD out there and you can actually find a lot of low-cost or free ones.
8. Class Website
Start planning out your class website. Google Sites is a great place to create one and it’s very easy to use. All you need is a Google account.
9. Meet the Teacher
Create a welcome letter and slideshow of information you want to share on Meet the Teacher night. Think about signs you might want to display to have students visit different areas of the classroom.
10. First Week books & activities
Start making a list of books and activities you want to use during the first week of school. I have a classroom checklist that will help you get started during back-to-school time.
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