The Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist for Teachers
I’m back! I hope you had a great summer. It’s back-to-school time, and as always that means there are lots of things to do. You’re probably wondering how to get back into the groove after your summer break. Well, today I’ve got an ultimate back- to- school checklist for you with everything from classroom preparation to making a plan for classroom procedures and getting organized at home before school starts again in September.
(Hint: Pin this page to Pinterest or share it with yourself so you can come back again and again!)
Back to School Checklist for August
Decide Classroom Procedures
Planning how your classroom runs will be one of the most valuable uses of your time. It will also be one of the most time-consuming tasks. However, if you take some time to plan it out now, your back-to-school season should go much smoother than if there wasn’t a clear idea or procedure for how things would work and what students could expect from day to day.
- Entering the classroom
- Taking attendance
- Unpacking routine
- Storing backpacks, clothing, lunch bags
- Collecting notes/forms/money
- Collecting homework
- Library books
- Handling classroom materials
- Sharpening pencils
- Passing out supplies/papers
- Collecting/returning work
- Work in progress/unfinished
- Student absences/make-up work
- Finishing work early
- Students who need help
- Getting students’ attention
- Getting drinks/water bottles in class
- Getting tissues
- Washroom sign-out
- Birthdays
- Agendas
- Lunch
- Missing spoons
- Hand washing
- Garbage
- Lining up in classroom/outside/in gym/in library
- Keeping desks neat
- Lost items
- Packing up
- Cleaning the classroom
- Dismissal procedures
- Sending home graded/finished work
- Saving work samples
- Contacting parents
- Recording parent contact
- Helpers in the classroom
- Problems with technology
- Behaviour management
- Classroom library (keeping organized, where to keep books)
- Field trip prep (nametags, groups)
Physical Environment
Next, you’ll need to tackle the physical classroom environment. You’ll need to take inventory of the supplies you have and make a list of what you still need. Label supplies so that you can easily find what a student needs when it’s time to do an assignment. Everything should have a place and everything should be in its place.
- Clean out classroom completely before beginning
- Ask for any additional shelving needed
- Check that computers and equipment are working
- Order necessary supplies
- Bulletin boards – math, language, and science/social studies walls
- Calendar
- Visual schedule
- Door decoration
- Flag, Anthem, and Land Acknowledgement
- Agenda station
- Cubbies/Mailboxes
- Lunch bag storage
- Coat hooks labelled
- Arrange teacher’s desk
- Arrange student desks
- Supply bins (crayons, pencils, etc.)
- Garbage and recycling containers labelled
Paper Organization
Keeping papers organized is the key to back-to-school preparation. It is the number one way that classrooms become disorganized. Make a plan for forms, assessments, student data, and parent communication before the school year starts.
- Large envelopes with class list for collecting forms
- Inbox
- Hanging file folders
- Binders
- Student duotangs
- New student bags (extra copies of nametags, notebooks, etc.)
- Sub Tub (class list, emergency plans, seating chart, etc.)
Decorations
Every teacher has their own values when it comes to decorating their classroom. Do what makes you happy, don’t compare yourself to other teachers, and if you’re a new teacher, know that you can’t do everything at once. Start small and focus on the parts of the job that matter most.
- Door
- Coat hooks
- Bulletin Boards
- Cursive writing/printing
- Number line
- Class Jobs
- Classroom Economy (learn all about mine here)
- Birthdays
- Name tags for desks
- Basket labels
- Calendar
- Behaviour reward system (pom-pom jar)
- Washroom passes
- Daily Schedule
- Class norms/rules/pledge
- Homework board
- Names on random pick student container (popsicle sticks with names)
Planning
- Long range plans
- Daily Schedule
- First Week (here’s my weekly planner for Kindergarten)
- Library Schedule
- Gym Schedule
- Planning Schedule
- Computer Lab Schedule
- Find any other sign-out sheets for use of school resources (technology, rooms, etc.)
Prep for First Day of School
- Newsletter
- Nametags, 2 sharpened pencils, agenda, and journal on desks
- Ask if any of your students are new to the school (give them a tour guide buddy)
- Read through OSRs and IEPs and make notes
- Compile any data passed on from the last school year that will help you begin diagnostic assessments
- Photocopy everything for the first week:
- Language diagnostic assessments
- Daily 5 Read to Self Graph
- Math diagnostic assessments
- Newsletter
- Morning Work
Back to School Checklist for September
First Week of School
- Take photographs of all students
- Teach journaling and notebook expectations
- Teach Morning Work procedures thoroughly
- Desk organization
- Begin language diagnostic assessments
- Words Their Way Spelling Inventory
- Begin Daily 5
- Establishing a math community lesson
- Teach math games for early finisher centres (ask students about any they might already know)
- Begin math diagnostic assessments
- Goal Setting and Get to Know You activities
- Establish contact with parents (here’s a freebie!)
- Write Classroom Agreement together, have students sign and copy to send home to parents
- Teach kids about “Shout-Outs” or other class celebrations
- Encourage parents to access online resources early and often – offer support at open house
Second Week of School and Onward
- Reinforce expectations about desk organization, classroom procedures, and notebooks
- Student computer logins – tutorial on Google Classroom
- Continue Daily 5 intro lessons
- Find out where your students have been on field trips in the past
- Compile Emergency Contact info for supply teachers and field trips
- Make reusable nametags for supply teachers and field trips
- Create regular posts on class website
- Post medical information as necessary
- Approve and book field trips
- Plan extra-curriculars
September is always hectic for teachers, but it’s also an exciting time because there are so many new things to do and learn! I hope this back to school checklist will help make back to school a little less stressful. Leave a comment below if this was helpful and share what you would add!
Take a look at some of my favourite back to school books, books about belonging, or books for children starting Kindergarten.
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