Teachers from all over absolutely love their summer breaks. It’s one of the perks we adore and eagerly look forward to each year. We use this time to rest and recharge. But let’s be honest, as the summer wears on, thoughts of the upcoming school year start to creep in. When this starts to happen, I’m always thinking about how to make the return to school as smooth as possible for myself and my students. I like to use the extra time to get a head start on preparing for those first few days back. So, today, I’m excited to share six different ways we can work smarter, not harder, this back to school season.
Importance of Working Smarter Not Harder for Back to School Season
Working smarter, not harder, is essential as we gear up for back-to-school season. The start of the school year can be overwhelming with so much to do and so many new faces to meet. By being strategic and thoughtful about our approach, we can save time, reduce stress, and create a positive environment for our students right from the get-go. When we plan ahead and streamline our tasks, we can focus more on building those crucial relationships and setting a strong foundation for a successful year.
One key aspect of working smarter is prioritizing our tasks. Not everything needs to be done at once, and some things can wait. As a serial to-do list maker, this is a lesson that I have had to learn throughout my career!
By identifying the most important tasks and tackling them first, we can ensure that we’re using our time efficiently. This not only helps us stay organized but also prevents us from feeling overwhelmed. By giving our energy to the tasks that make the most difference, we can be sure we are being mindful with our time. When we have a clear plan and a manageable to-do list, we can approach the new school year with confidence and enthusiasm.
Another important strategy is to utilize resources and tools that make our jobs easier. Whether it’s using a digital planner to keep track of important dates, collaborating with colleagues to share lesson plans, or incorporating technology into our classrooms to enhance learning, there are countless ways to streamline our work. By embracing these tools, we can work more efficiently and effectively, allowing us to spend more time focusing on what truly matters, which is teaching and connecting with our students. Remember, working smarter isn’t just about saving time. It’s about making the most of our time so we can create a meaningful and engaging learning experience for our students.
Activities for Back to School Season
Now, let’s get into the fun part – the how! I’ve discovered some fantastic strategies over the years that have made a world of difference for me. These six resources are designed to help us streamline our tasks, stay organized, and create a positive classroom environment from day one. Let’s dive into these six ways to make our back-to-school season smoother and more enjoyable. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
1. Newsletter Templates
One of my favorite ways to work smarter, not harder, is by preparing my editable newsletter templates ahead of time. Keeping parents up to date on what’s happening in our classroom is super important. Having a ready-to-go newsletter makes it so much easier. I like to include a “Read All About It” section for class announcements and upcoming events. This way, parents are always in the loop and know exactly what to expect.
Another section I always include is the academic focus. Here, I write out the main topics we’ll be covering for the core subjects. This helps parents understand what their kids are learning and how they can support them at home. Plus, it’s a great way to highlight any exciting projects or units we have planned.
The other half of the newsletter is dedicated to a calendar. I jot down important dates like field trips, tests, assemblies, and special days. This visual layout makes it easy for parents to keep track of everything. This also ensures that no one misses out on any important events. By setting up these templates in advance, I save myself so much time and stress during the school year. It’s a simple yet effective way to stay organized and keep everyone informed.
2. Meet the Teacher Forms
Another way to work smarter, not harder this back to school season is by having Meet The Teacher forms ready to go. These forms are a great way to start building that connection between you and your families. I have these out at seats during our supply drop-off day when families are dropping off supplies. I also make sure to send out a digital copy for the families who couldn’t make it to school. This way, I can ensure everyone gets the information they need.
Each Meet The Teacher template includes a spot for your picture and a short bio in the “About Me” section. This helps parents and students get to know you a little better and start building that rapport from day one. You also have space to include a warm welcome message to set a positive tone for the school year.
There’s a section for the best ways to contact us so parents know how to reach out if they have any questions or concerns. I make sure to set that boundary early in the year. There is also space to outline our educational goals for the year, giving parents a clear idea of what we’ll be focusing on. The form includes a space for specials and a fun “My Favorites” section where you can share a few of your personal likes. This not only helps break the ice but also makes the form more engaging.
3. Parent Teacher Forms
During the back to school season, I take time to prepare parent-teacher conference forms ahead of time. Parent-teacher conferences can cause us some nerves, but having these pages ready helps to make the experience easier. These forms are incredibly useful for gathering input from my parents, students, and other teachers to ensure everyone is on the same page. They cover multiple areas for assessment, making them an excellent guide for our parent-teacher conferences.
The forms include checklists for student work habits and behavior, which can be used for either student or teacher evaluation. Having both editable and non-editable versions allows for flexibility, depending on the situation. There are also conference reminder notices, parent pre-conference surveys, and teacher conference notes. This versatility helps me stay organized and prepared, no matter the circumstances.
The forms feature an academic summary, a conference sign-in sheet, and a conference schedule, which can also be customized. There are reflection sheets for your students to share what they like about school, what they want to learn, and areas they need to work on. There are also academic profiles and a “Say This, Not That” guide to help navigate conversations more effectively. To top it all off, there’s a welcome sign for the door and a thank-you note with editable contact information. By having these forms ready, I can ensure smooth, productive, and stress-free conferences. This makes the whole process more efficient and effective for everyone involved.
4. Fun First Week Activities
Now that we’ve covered the practical side of working smarter, let’s talk about something just as important. Having fun! The first week of school is a golden opportunity to help our students feel more comfortable. There’s also lots of time to start building those all-important connections between the teacher and the class. Creating a welcoming and engaging environment right from the start sets the tone for the rest of the year. Let’s explore some fun activities that can make those first few days not only productive but also enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
All About Me Presentation
One of my favorite resources to kick off the school year is the All About Me presentation. This activity is a fantastic way to get to know your students and help them share a bit about themselves. It allows them to open up about who they are, what they like, and what they’re excited about for the upcoming year. I love how it sets the stage for building those important connections right from the start.
The beauty of this presentation is its flexibility. You can simply pick and choose the slides you want to complete each day, making it easy to tailor the activity to fit your schedule and your students’ needs. The slides cover a wide range of topics, ensuring that you get a well-rounded view of each of your students.
For example, there’s the “All About Me” slide where your students share basic info about themselves. “My Hobbies” and “My Favorite Things” give insights into their interests, while “Summer Memories” helps them reflect on their break. “Describing Myself” and “Back to School Emotions” allow them to express their feelings and thoughts about returning to school. “What You Should Know” and “Friends & Family” help you understand their background and support system. The slides also include “My School Goals” and “What I Want to Learn,” which helps them start thinking about what they want to achieve this year.
Back to School Math and Writing Craft
One of my favorite ways to add some fun and learning to the first week is through a differentiated math craft activity. It’s perfect for back to school math centers and helps establish routines and procedures right from the start. Plus, it makes a beautiful academic bulletin board that showcases different levels of learning.
Each of our students gets to pick their craft, which instantly gets them engaged. As the teacher, I pass out the math problems tailored to each student’s level. These math problems focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. This differentiation ensures that every student is challenged appropriately. They work on the problems, and I check their work to make sure everything is correct. Once they’re done with the math, they get to color, cut, and paste the problems onto their chosen craft, which, in this case, is a school bus!
To extend the activity, I give students half-sheets of paper to write a word problem that matches one of their number sentences. For those who love to write, there are full writing pages where they can create a descriptive piece about their math craft or even create a story featuring their craft as the centerpiece of their story. This not only reinforces their math skills but also enhances their writing abilities.
Back to School Bingo
A back to school activity I love to use during the first week is a fun and interactive Bingo game. This activity gets my students up and moving around the classroom. By doing so, it helps them get to know one another in a lively and engaging way.
I have 20 unique Bingo cards, each filled with the same activities but arranged differently. This setup encourages students to find classmates with similar interests. As they walk around the room, they ask each other if they’ve done any of the activities listed on their cards. The catch is that they can only ask one student one question at a time to ensure they interact with as many classmates as possible.
This Bingo game is a wonderful icebreaker that not only helps our students learn about each other but also gets them out of their seats and moving around on the first day. It sets a positive and energetic tone for the rest of the year. It also makes everyone feel more comfortable and connected.
5. Plan Out Your Classroom Management Systems
Preparing your behavior management systems in advance is crucial for setting expectations and holding your students accountable. By setting these boundaries early on, you can create a structured environment where your students know what is expected of them while feeling motivated to meet those expectations.
I use a combination of reward systems and behavior management posters to achieve this. The reward coupons are a fun and effective way to acknowledge and encourage positive behavior. Whether it’s an individual reward or a class-wide celebration, these coupons help reinforce good habits and create a positive atmosphere. I make sure to have a variety of rewards available to cater to different interests and motivations to keep them engaged and excited about meeting their goals. A lot of them are free for us to provide to our students, so we win as well!
The behavior management posters are equally important. I use these more as a class behavior system but they can be used for individual students as well. When I catch my students meeting my expectations, or I receive a compliment from another teacher about their behavior, we add a piece to the picture. As they collect pieces for the picture on the board, it reveals a teacher. When the picture is fully complete, they earn a class reward! This proactive approach not only helps in managing behavior but also promotes a sense of responsibility and accountability among them. By preparing these systems in advance, I ensure that the classroom runs smoothly from day one.
6. Refresh the Classroom Decor
Taking the time to prepare or refresh classroom decor is another essential way to work smarter, not harder during back to school season. A well-decorated classroom can make a huge difference in creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment. When our students walk into a room that feels inviting and thoughtfully arranged, it sets a positive tone for the entire year.
Whether you’re looking to create a cohesive theme or just want to add a few new elements to brighten up the space, there is classroom decor out there to match your aesthetic. Refreshing your decor doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Sometimes, just updating a few bulletin boards, adding some colorful posters, or rearranging the seating can breathe new life into your classroom.
One of my favorite things to do is to incorporate student work into the decor. This not only saves time but also makes students feel proud and valued. Plus, it’s a great way to show off their hard work to parents and visitors. By taking the time to prepare or refresh your classroom decor, you’re creating an environment that supports learning. This makes both you and your students excited to be there every day.
Back to School Season Made Easy
As we prepare for the back to school season, remember that working smarter, not harder, can make all the difference. By setting up effective behavior management systems, refreshing our classroom decor, and incorporating fun, engaging activities, we create a positive and organized environment for both ourselves and our students. With these strategies, we can start the school year on the right foot, feeling confident and ready to tackle whatever comes our way. Here’s to a fantastic, productive, and enjoyable school year ahead! Let’s make it our best one yet.
For more ideas on teacher prep, make sure to check out 7 Teacher Prep Summer Activities to Make Back to School Easier.
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