10 Back to School Tips for Teachers

If you haven’t already tidied and cleared the classroom then now is the time to get this done. Organise your classroom supplies, ensure everything has a place as the better organised your classroom is, the more likely it will stay tidy for longer. Plus, this will immediately stand out to your class and your colleagues!

Hopefully, you are in the process of having a fun-filled, relaxing summer (relaxing being the keyword). 

I know it may seem too soon for a back-to-school post but we want to help make returning to school easier and as stress-free as possible for you so you are prepared.

Here are some tips below to ensure you are on top of things ready for September: 

1) Do a bit at a time

Rather than saving the preparation until the last minute and having the worry build and build, why not carry out the necessary prep a bit at a time so it isn’t too overwhelming come end of August! This may allow you to enjoy your holidays more as you get through your To-Do List in easy chunks.

2) Write a list

Visit your classroom during the holidays and write a list of things you need. The classroom is the best place to do this as you can actually see what you need and don’t need. This will give you the opportunity to complete number 3 at the same time…

3) Be organised, tidy and prepared

If you haven’t already tidied and cleared the classroom then now is the time to get this done. Organise your classroom supplies, ensure everything has a place as the better organised your classroom is, the more likely it will stay tidy for longer. Plus, this will immediately stand out to your class and your colleagues!

4) Colour, colour, colour!

Colourful classroom displays as you know are popular and help support classroom learning. If you haven't done already, ensure you have colourful back boards ready to pin your children’s work on. Or, colourful displays that relate to your teaching topics for the first and second term. The more colour and creativity involved the better! 

5) Make copies

It is annoying when you don’t have enough worksheets for everyone. Even though you thought you counted the correct amount, you sometimes find yourself short. Ensure you make a large number of copies as you can always reuse these for next year. This will prevent any disruptions during your lessons and things will run more smoothly. 

6) Start learning names

As I am sure you know, this is important to get right as children/students feel more welcome and comfortable in your classroom if you get their name right. It can encourage good behaviour  and you’ll really impress them if you know their names on the first day too. If you are a visual learner, a seating chart may be the best way to learn them. There are a number of other strategies like the usual, wearing name tags, pairing students in groups etc. For details, read ‘Ways for Learning Students' Names Quickly’.

7) Set goals

Having goals of any kind gives you something to focus on and work towards. Shared goals with your students would be effective as these will encourage both you and your students giving something for everybody to aim for. Just remember to tailor goals to each child to meet their different needs.

8) Perfect your seating arrangement

Getting the seating arrangement right is important to ensure your class stays focused as much as possible. The arrangement should suit your teaching style too so select carefully. Here’s a brilliant article that displays the pros and cons of each possible seating layout, ‘Effective Classroom Seating Arrangements’.

9) ECT? Read this post!

If you are an ECT and starting your first year then we recommend you read retired Headteacher Julia Skinner’s article, '10 Top Tips for Early Career Teachers'. 

10) Work on your Continual Professional Development (CPD)

Make notes of areas you wish to develop as a teacher and then set yourself aims for the year. If you wish to gain more varied experience and learn more, read this article, ‘Enhancing your Teaching Career through Continual Professional Development’. This highlights opportunities available in Kent for CPD purposes so you are aware of the help available.

Good luck to all for September and we hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your summer, you deserve it.

For more back to school tips watch our video with "5 Back to School Tips for Teachers". 

Sources:

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/back-to-school-preparing-first-day-rebecca-alber 

http://www.teachhub.com/10-things-do-now-prepare-back-school 

http://k6educators.about.com/od/backtoschoollessons/a/Ways-To-Learning-Students-Names-Quickly.htm