A LIST OF THINGS TO DO BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS
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
Commentsubmitted by
TERESA WASINGER
PLEASANT VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
WICHITA, KS
Gibsongal1@aol.com
