Key takeaways
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The first few weeks of school are stressful for everyone, so it’s critical that teachers are organized, planned, and ready for the first day with students.
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Taking time before the start of school to think through, organize, and prepare your classroom environment, systems, and expectations will ensure a smooth start to the new year for both you and your students.
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Get excited about the start of a new school year. That excitement will get students looking forward to spending the year in your classroom.
As we inch closer and closer to the start of a new school year, your brain is likely swimming with a seemingly endless to-do list of items to prepare. Bulletin boards to decorate, desks to arrange, supplies to organize, and on and on. If that list seems overwhelming, and you’re not sure where to even begin, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive back-to-school checklist for teachers.
Preparing for a new school year is about so much more than cleaning, organizing, and decorating your classroom. Although those things are important (and fun!), so much more goes into preparing for a successful first day and beyond with a new roster of students.
The first day of school can be stressful for everyone. It’s critical that teachers walk into the classroom on the first day with a plan for the classroom environment, culture, expectations, and routines. Systems should be established to ensure smooth planning, instructional delivery, classroom management, and grading, particularly during the first few weeks as you are busy getting to know your students.
Students should walk into the classroom on the first day of school to a safe, calm, and welcoming environment where they are valued as important members of the school and classroom community and know that learning and growing are the priority.
Essential Back-to-School Checklist Items for Teachers
Classroom Environment
Your classroom environment is the first glimpse your students and their parents will get of how the school year will go. Make a stellar first impression by focusing on the following items:
Classroom Organization
Organizing your classroom before the school year begins will save you time and effort down the road. Get your classroom supplies student-ready by completing the following items:
Classroom Expectations
Beginning the first day of school with clear expectations and strong systems in place will help set the tone for the entire school year. Kids need routine and consistency. Consider the following items to provide those things:
First Day of School Preparation
While it’s important to focus on preparing for the school year as a whole, special attention must be given to the first day of school. Ensuring a smooth first day of school helps students feel comfortable in your classroom, fosters a welcoming environment, and strengthens teacher-student and student-student relationships. Set your students up for success on the first day of school by giving attention to the following items:
Self-Care
Discovery Education offers a variety of professional development solutions that improve educator knowledge, confidence, and impact on student learning. Their professional learning options include in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions that are tailored to district needs and goals and the Everyday Teaching Essentials online library of short, actionable online resources that fit into educators’ busy schedules.
