How to start the school year off right

1. Be organized

This shouldn’t come as a surprise when we are talking about how to start the school year off right. But how do we do it? I guess this looks different for everyone.

For me, I prefer to give up some of my holiday time in order to prepare for my first two weeks of teaching including lesson planning, assessment task writing, setting up my work diary and admin tasks.

While a lot of teachers don’t like to work in their holidays, I find it gives me a better work-life balance throughout the year if I do. 

2. Check your wardrobe

There have been so many years where I have started the school year realizing that so many of my ‘good’ work clothes are definitely not ‘good’ anymore. They are worn out, stained or don’t fit properly anymore.

It is worth doing a quick run through your closet and allowing yourself some time during the holidays to keep an eye out for those staples you want to replace because once term starts there will be many other things that will take priority over this. 

I don’t enjoy online shopping for clothes as I prefer to look in shops and try them on first. During school term, I don’t have any time to do this (particularly with 2 young kids in tow), so holidays are the only time I can do this. 

3. Set routines for your workload

I find this important for staying organized and saving time during the term. I map out when I am going to lesson plan for each year level, and when I will set aside time for assessment writing, grading, and report writing.

Setting routines is a really important time-saving hack for teachers. To see my full list of 49 time-saving hacks click the link here!

How to start the school year off right 

4. Schedule ‘you time’

It is important when setting your routines that you also include time for family, exercise, rest, and the things you enjoy. For me, having a scripted timetable for each week ensures I maintain a balance between work and home. 

Yes, there are definitely times these routines need to adjust to suit variations in workload or family needs, but if you have one to start with then, it allows you to make those adjustments in a sensible way as well and also to be aware of when the balance starts to go off.

5. Get to know your students before you meet them

What do I mean by this? Data. 

Have a look at the data you have on your students before you meet them in class. This is even more important if you haven’t taught them before.

At my school, we have a range of data collected on each student including NAPLAN (Australia), CogAT, PAT tests as well as class and subject-related data and reports.

This data helps me to make my class groupings, seating plans and differentiation options ahead of meeting my students face-to-face. 

I also find it helps me learn my students’ names faster and cater to their learning abilities right from the outset instead of just guessing for the first few weeks. 

How to start the school year off right

6. Have your assessments written 

Having your assessments written ahead of the term starting or within the first few weeks is important for multiple reasons.

1. It ensures you know where you are heading with your classes so you can plan your learning sequence appropriately
2. When the term gets busier and workload starts to pile up, it takes the pressure off knowing it is already completed. 
3. Parents and students will often enquire about the assessments early in the term. This allows you to answer their questions honestly which will help build their confidence in you as the teacher.

7. Set routines with your students 

Classroom routines are important for you and your students to start the school year off right. They help the students feel that you have control over the classroom and they know what to expect.

Routines also help you to save time as you don’t have to explain yourself every time as students get to know what the ‘normal’ is. 

For instance, some routines I have in my classroom include:

• Where students are to wait to enter the room
• Where they place their bags
• Where students sit when they enter the room
• Where to find work if they were absent, 
• How to turn in homework, 
• What to bring into every lesson 
• How to find important notices and assessment notifications
• How to contact me if needed 

8. Introduce yourself to your students and their parents

While a lot of teachers introduce themselves to their students, they often forget to introduce themselves to their parents. 

I like to send home a ‘meet the teacher’ page so that both my students and their parents feel they know who I am, what is expected, and how to contact me appropriately if needed. This ensures a positive first interaction and it goes a long way to start the year off right with these important stakeholders.

How to start the school year off right

9. Invest time to build relationships with your students

No, I don’t mean do heaps of ice-breakers (I hate those!) 

Now that you are meeting your students in the first week of school, get to know them! 

I actually hate ice-breakers. I feel uncomfortable with them, the majority of my students feel uncomfortable with them, and they are just awkward and a waste of time. 

Instead, I created this ‘all about me in science lab bunting’ resource to get to know my students in a less threatening way whilst also creating some free decorations for my lab! If you aren’t a science teacher, I also created this non-subject-specific bunting too! (And it’s FREE).

In addition to this activity, and actually more important than the above activity is just making time to chat with your students. Plan some activities in the first week which allow you time to walk around and have a chat with students in pairs or small groups. Ask them how their holidays were. What was their favorite memory of their holiday time? What friends did they catch up with? What sports or games or activities did they do? What are they looking forward to this year? What is their favorite subject? 

10. Sketch out your lesson sequence

Sketch out your term so you see well in advance gaps you might have in resources so you either have time to create them / find them or buy them.

While I don’t have time to lesson plan an entire term before I start back at school, often I will map out my learning intentions for the term and make a note of any sections where I don’t have my own resources or I want to update my resources.

This gives me an idea of whether I have time to either create the resource myself, update an existing resource, or purchase a new resource.

When I have planned this it also allows me to take advantage of things like Teachers Pay Teachers sitewide sales so I can grab the resources I want at a discount rather than getting to the week I want it and having to pay full price.

11. Think about how you can prepare healthy lunches 

This may not be on the normal ‘start your school year off right’ blog post – but I guarantee it is actually one of the most important.

Eating a well-balanced lunch every day is essential for your energy levels throughout the day and for sustaining you throughout the term. It also helps you to maintain a healthy immune system and makes you less susceptible to the many illnesses that walk through the door with your students. 

Need some ideas? Read my post on 33 easy lunch ideas for teachers here!

Conclusion

If you start the school year off right, it sets the tone for the year. It can make a huge difference in your energy levels and confidence throughout the term.

What do you do to start the school year off right? Please share your top tips below!

How to start the school year off right

How to build positive relationships with students using the 5 love languages

We often talk about differentiating our teaching to meet student learning needs, however, I’ve never heard anyone talk about differentiating the way in which we show students we love and care for them. I believe this is key to building positive relationships with students in your classroom.

Chapman (2016) believes there are five key ways in which people care for others and want to be cared for. He calls these The Five Love Languages. 

These include: 

1. Words of affirmation: a person likes to be told that they are loved and cared for in words. 
2. Gifts: some people feel loved and appreciated by receiving gifts.
3. Time: refers to spending quality time with the people they love.
4. Touch: is not referring to anything sexual, but rather other forms of physical contact.
5. Acts of service: refers to a person feeling loved by the thoughtful actions of others. 

While most people tend to favor one or two of these methods, using a range of these in the classroom will ensure that all students feel known and loved. 

How to use the 5 love languages to

build positive relationships with students

Here are some suggestions for how you can implement these ‘Love Languages’ into your classroom:

Words of affirmation: praise students by telling them what a great effort they had put into a particular project or tell them how you appreciate the attention they paid to detail.

When they achieve something, be sure to tell them how proud you are of their commitment and perseverance. 

It is important when using words of affirmation to also encourage a ‘growth mindset’ as coined by Professor C.S Dweck. Dweck (2010) encourages teachers to emphasise challenges and to praise hard work as opposed to praising success or ‘smartness’.

Gifts: In a classroom setting, students could be rewarded with lollies, stickers or merit awards.

For my senior Chemistry class, I made them ‘survival kits’ to help them get through their exams.

These don’t need to be expensive or lavish gifts. Rather, it is providing something concrete they can take away with them. 

Below are some of my favourite affordable Amazon finds:

Scratch it bookmarks

These are a great gift as students can personalize them themselves!

100 pack of cute erasers

These are actually great for both primary and secondary students. Again I thought my high school students would think they were silly, but I was wrong!

Time: students whose love language is time may appreciate you taking the time to have a conversation with them or playing handball with them out in the playground.

Touch: showing a student you value them or congratulate them using touch appropriately could look like a handshake or a high five. I like both of these methods as it offers the student the opportunity to accept or decline if they don’t feel comfortable.

We know we have to be so careful in the ways we interact with students; I think these two options allow us to still meet our students’ needs while also protecting ourselves.

Acts of Service: Show a class you appreciate them by treating them with a particularly fun activity or educational game such as a kahoot or quizlet at the end of a lesson.

Show individual students you appreciate them by inviting them to help you perform a cool science demonstration or by allowing them to choose how they want to finish the lesson, where they want to sit, or who they want to work with. 

How to build positive relationships with students in high school or middle school

Conclusion

Building positive relationships with students can be a daunting prospect. However, if you have an idea of the different ways people feel loved then it might help you to identify these in your classroom as well.

The 5 love languages provide us a great template for how we can use various methods in our classroom to ensure all students feel cared for and appreciated and therefore build positive relationships with students.

Comment below with your favourite way to build positive relationships with students in your classroom!

References

Chapman, G., 2015. The 5 love languages: The secret to love that lasts. Northfield Publishing.

Chapman, G., 2016. The 5 love languages of teenagers: The secret to loving teens effectively. Northfield Publishing.

Best science lab decoration ideas on a budget

Back to school checklist for teachers:

What to purchase

This list will vary from teacher to teacher but here is a list of essential things that are relevant for most teachers.

In addition to this checklist, read my blog post on teacher must-haves 2022 here.

1. New teacher planner

This is my #1 when I am getting ready for the next school year. It helps keep me organised and I can easily look ahead to see what important dates are coming up for my school or classes. 

2. Diary

I usually have a diary in addition to my teacher planner. This is where I keep all my personal life appointments and activities. This is just as important as having your teacher life organised. 

3. General supplies

A teacher can never have too much stationary. Whiteboard markers, pens, highlighters and post-it notes are what I stock up on at the beginning of each school year. 

4. Subscriptions

Now may be the time you need to renew any subscriptions you have or decide to purchase new ones to suit your needs this year. Here are some that may interest you:

• • • STEM Club subscription

If you are pressed for time and don’t have the capacity to keep up your creativity throughout a long and difficult term then this is a must have! This subscription gets you at least 52 STEM projects throughout the year that you can use in your own classroom or with a STEM/Science club.

• • • Canva (free version available)

Canva is perfect for all sorts of templates from worksheets to presentations to newsletters – there is a FREE version as well as a paid version. Get your account set up and ready to go before school returns.

• • • Magazine subscriptions

I know many teachers who love to have their yearly magazine subscription to things like Science Focus and National Geographic that they can use in the classroom. 

But this is also a great time to grab a subscription for something that is just for you! Something you can look forward to and unwind reading each month. This could be a part of your own regular mental health care.

• • • Screencast-o-matic

Screencast-o-matic is an excellent (and affordable) way to record your lessons, information, demonstrations etc for students. Whether you use it for flipped learning or when you are away sick, this is an excellent tool for teachers. 

5. Teaching resources

If you are teaching a new grade level or subject this coming year, it’s a good idea to see what is out there in terms of free and paid resources to help reduce your planning time. 

This is particularly important if you are going to need the time to teach yourself the content required in a new subject area as you won’t have time to develop your own resources as well. 

My favourite places to find high quality teaching resources are:

• • • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amped Up Learning
    • TimeSavers for Teachers

6. Classroom decor

This list will vary from teacher to teacher depending on what grade level you teach and how much autonomy you have in setting up your classroom. 

If you are someone who loves to ‘theme’ their room or decorate it each year, here are some items worth checking out for your space:

• • • Wood Wallpaper 
    • Pretty globe lights
    • Bulletin board decorations

The essential back to school checklist for teachers

8. Work clothes

If you are like me then during the school term you can never find time to go shopping for work appropriate clothes. 

When you are on break now is the time to get a gauge of your wardrobe and the items that need replacing, updating or adding. This may be seasonal wear or just wardrobe staples like a nice pair of black pants. 

Break time could give you opportunity to visit a factory outlet or two which you may not have time for during school term. 

If you aren’t into going to the physical shops, I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by how many great teacher options there are on Amazon! 

The essential back to school checklist for teachers

Back to school checklist for teachers:

What to brush up on

Before school returns, you may need a few days to get your head back in the game. If you are starting at a new school then some of these things will be completely new to you and so it is important to take the time to review them. 

1. Content knowledge

Even if I am teaching the same content as the previous year, after a long break I often need a couple of days to just brush up on my content knowledge and how I want to teach it. 

2. Fire escape and emergency procedures

This is super important if you are starting at a new school. However, even if you are at the same school, it is a good idea to check evacuation routes for each of the classrooms you are scheduled in as well. 

3. Get to know your new students

While you may not meet your students until the first day of term, you can’t appropriately plan if you don’t use the data you have access to already. 

Check their student plans, testing scores, allergies, and any other data you have on them so you can appropriately differentiate for your class. My 53 Easy Differentiation Strategies might be helpful for you! The essential back to school checklist for teachers

Back to school checklist for teachers:

What to organise before the first day back

1. Seating chart
2. Bulletin board
3. ‘Meet the teacher’ handout for parents / students (get my freebie)
4. Lesson introduction slides (get my freebie)
5. Classroom decorations 
6. Coffee and snack supplies (should probably put this at the top of the list!)
7. Your own planning and work routine or schedule to maintain work/life balance
8. Check your technology works e.g. that your device can connect to an interactive whiteboard etc. 
9. Set up Google classroom or online portals
10. Ensure student textbooks or programs are accessible
11. Print class lists
12. Order necessary materials (e.g. science experiments, food tech ingredients)

The essential back to school checklist for teachers

Back to school checklist for teachers:

What to cover during the first lesson

1. Go through emergency procedures

It is so important that you don’t get caught up in the excitement of the first lesson and forget to go through emergency procedures with your students. 

This includes evacuation plans, location of fire extinguishers, and classroom emergency expectations. 

For those teaching in a high-risk “classroom” such as a science lab or woodworking workshop, it is important to go through the subject and room-specific requirements.

2. Classroom procedures 

To ensure your classroom runs smoothly for the year it is important to plan your regular procedures in advance. This includes:

• seating plan arrangements, 
• where students should leave their bags, 
• what students are expected to bring each lesson, 
• where they should look for work they missed when absent
• where homework and classwork can be found
• how you will get their attention after groupwork etc
• safety procedures

3. Teacher expectations 

It is important to set clear expectations from the beginning of the year as it will set the tone for the whole year. Your expectations of them should include:

• Homework (how much and how often)
• Behaviour, including respect of classmates, teacher and school property
• Consequences 
• Talking – when is it ok and when isn’t it?

4. Get to know you activity or ice breaker

I hate ice breaker activities and never do them in my class. Instead I opt for a ‘get to know you’ activity that is less confronting. My favorite is this ‘all about me in science’ lab bunting that students can fill out for me and their classmates to see, AND it becomes decoration for the classroom at the same time!

5. Introduction to the course

Help students get a picture of what they will be learning this term or year with an introduction to the topic. This is a great time to build excitement with them about what they are going to learn and some fun activities they might look forward to. 

6. Assessment tasks to expect throughout the year 

In addition to the above point, its also good to let them know how their learning will be assessed through the year, both formally and informally. I usually have my students record their formal assessment task dates in their diaries during the first lesson.

The essential back to school checklist for teachers

Conclusion

Planning to return to school can be much less stressful if you have a checklist that ensures you don’t miss anything!

Did you find this back to school checklist for teachers helpful? 

Best back to school checklist for teachers 2022