A LIST OF THINGS TO DO BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

ROOM ENVIRONMENT

• Decide on a theme for your classroom
• Prepare/purchase bulletin board materials
• Decide where to post notices/materials
• Make a classroom welcome sign
• Set up learning centers, display tables, and student work areas

SUPPLIES

• Writing, drawing, and construction paper
• Pencils/Pens
• Crayons
• Paste/glue
• Stapler/staples
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Straight and safety pins
• Transparent tape
• Manila folders
• Marking pens
• Rulers
• Art supplies
• Grade book
• Lesson plan book
• Attendance materials
• Textbooks/workbooks
• Boxes for keeping units

FIND OUT ABOUT

• Fire drills
• Tornado drills
• Lunch procedure
• Staff handbook
• Dismissal procedure
• Your colleagues

STUDENT PREP

• Make student name tags
• Prepare first-day materials to send home (emergency cards, school/classroom rules, bus regulations/info, letter to parents, classroom schedule)
• Prepare class list
• Decide on your seating procedure
• Check records for students with special needs

GETTING ORGANIZED

• Brainstorm class expectations
• Arrange desks
• Pin up bulletin boards, notices, etc.
• Write lesson plans for the first week
• Duplicate materials for first week
• Write daily schedule, date, and your name on the board
• Prepare files for parent correspondence, school bulletins, and sub teachers

THINK ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR…

• Book distribution
• Turning in work, format of work
• Handing back assignments
• Homework
• Grading–recording grades, extra credit, portfolios
• Housekeeping procedures–clean up, supply storage
• Rewards and incentives
• Communicating with parents
• Signals for students’ attention
• Daily routines–beginning of day, transition times, independent and group work
• Agenda use and motivators

submitted by

TERESA WASINGER
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
WICHITA, KS
Gibsongal1@aol.com