It’s almost summer and time to pack up your classroom. If you are anything like me you may be tempted to just shove everything behind a cabinet door and deal with it in the fall. Yes? No? Regardless of how neat and organized you are, there are some things you can do now that will help you be more successful in the fall. Trust me, you will want to read through this list. It will save you and your sanity in the busy back to school season!
I want to thank the amazing teachers in my Facebook group who compiled this list of helpful tips and tricks to help teachers easy into the fall with success! Before you forget, make sure to pin this post to your Pinterest board so you can reference it in the future!
Make Copies
I make all my copies now and organize them! I also make a list of things I want to do over the summer and bring home all my materials home for that, I usually pick 2-3 spaces that I need to clean out and organize and do that now. I also go through all things I have of students and shred! -Ashley
School Supplies
Look through the school supplies catalog and fill out the order form for things I will need at the beginning of the school year. -Caroline
Label Cabinets
I label my cabinets with a sticky note on the backside/inside of the door. It helps remind me where I put everything when I return. -Lauren
Declutter
This week I’ve been reflecting on the year. One of my goals for this summer is to declutter. If I didn’t use it this year – throw it! I also will have 8 more students for next year so I’m seeing how I can squeeze more work areas in. I need to replace a huge bookcase – bookshelves on one side, book display on the other so it can’t be against a wall. I can’t see students who choose to read behind it. That created some problems during Daily 5 so I want to replace it with a regular bookcase – hoping for some Target gift cards! -Barb
Use Distinct Tape
Someone suggested using distinctive duct tape when packing boxes. The tape stands out when you are trying to identify your boxes. Ten classroom moves in 18 years and I just learned that trick. -Kelly
Organize Books
I have 1000+ books, so I reorganize them first filing all the books that I have pulled for the students use. Then I try to organize everything as I pack up. Then the last day, since I am always the last one to leave I start throwing things in drawers and boxes. -Janet
Prep Back to School Bulletin Boards
I make all my bulletin boards for back to school and then cover them with black trash bags or newspaper for the summer. Then when I start back in the fall I just uncover the boards and they are done. -Jennifer
Prep Folders
I go ahead and set up my classwork and take home folders with labels. I also make copies and get the forms that need to go home the first day of school into the take home folders. All I have to do is add the students’ names once I get my class list. Now this does require me to buy the folders ahead of time, but spending that 10-15 dollars really saves my sanity during the back to school madness. -Amy
Organize and Label Tubs
I sort and put things in tubs and then label the tubs, so they are ready to go in the fall. -Cindy
I make an August box. All if the things I will need right away, things that I take off of the walls in June and need to put back up in August. -Kim
Computer To Do List
I have a “to do list” saved on my computer. I change it as needed. I have a list for every major event like Back to School Night, Open House, etc… -Mandy
Summer To Do Box
I make a summer to do box…for those rainy days..cutting Toothy, name tags, etc to do a bit at a time. -Mary
Student Jobs
Make end of year class jobs for students. They are very capable to do many jobs: organizing, checking markers, cleaning and wiping down everything, checking books, etc. Bonus: they enjoy helping! -Nicki
Take Pictures
Take pictures of how everything was before you leave if you want to easily put it all back. Also leave a picture or drawn out map for custodians so they can put the furniture back the way you want it. -Anna
Scholastic Boxes
I save Scholastic book boxes and only use them to box up books. They stand out and I can very easily find them. -Benetta
Assemble Book Packs
I will put packs together in big zip locks with the read aloud the graphic organizer and anything else along with conversation starters on note cards. -Jane
Prep Name Tags
I get all name tags, lunch count markers, names on popsicle sticks, names on workbooks, pencil wars, first day home letters all done now. I may have a few to change, but it’s so nice having it all done! -Jodi
Wrap Bookshelves
If you are allowed to leave things on book shelves or if you have bins you are worried about things falling out, buy a huge roll of Saran Wrap at Sams or Costco and wrap everything with it. It holds it all in nicely as it is moved around by custodians and you just cut it off when you go back. -Anna
Assemble Math Tool Kits
I make next year’s math tool kits with all the manipulatives they will need. My students help me count their manipulatives and we replace any that are missing and collect extra. I give them each a new bag and laminated copies of all the work mats and 120s charts we use through the year. This year the kids also include a note from themselves that starts with “what you should know about Ms. Leath’s class.” -Dawn
Parent Surveys
Send home a parent survey about how they thought the year went and constructive feedback on anything that would be a good idea for improvement for the next school year. Also I start a list of school supplies that I will need to restock on when school starts back in the fall so that way I can look for deals all summer long. -Taira
Download your FREE End of the Year Parent Survey HERE
Make Notes
I have been making notes all year of things I would like to do differently. I have also gotten into the habit of making 2 sets of copies, one for now and one for next year. In our district we have to go to the PDC to make copies, so I’m learning to consolidate trips! -Barb
Fall Folder
I make a folder of everything I’m taking off the walls that I’d like to put up next year. That folder goes on top in my first desk drawer. When I come back in the fall, I have it all ready to go! -Nikki
Again, I want to thank the amazing teachers in my Facebook group who compiled this list of helpful tips and tricks to help teachers easy into the fall with success!
End of the Year Resources
If you are looking for some End of the Year Resources, I have some linked below that you may find helpful!
End of the Year Awards
Memory Book
Camp Read-a-Lot
End of the Year Parent Survey
Feel free to save this post to your Pinterest board to reference in the future.
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