Back to School: A Planning Guide for Teachers
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Starting your teaching journey is both exciting, overwhelming, and at times maybe a little scary. Even as a seasoned, veteran teacher I still find myself waking in the middle of the night anticipating the new school year.
When I got my first teaching job I was so excited to start decorating my classroom and plan for fun activities that I literally forgot to plan for the most important stuff…the day to day structure and routines. Maybe I didn’t “forget”…honestly, I didn’t know what to plan for or where to start. As you can probably guess, my first year was stressful and I felt like I was hanging on by a thread.
I never want any new teacher to feel the way I did my first year. I am here to help you streamline your planning, so you can walk into your first day feeling confident, and start the school year strong. In this post I will outline what to think about when you are planning for your first week of school.
Start your school year with a plan in place! In my Streamline & Simplify course I walk you step by step in setting up systems so you can reduce your workload. Click here to get the course 50% off.
Routines
Routines help students understand what is expected of them, and can help regulate behavior. Implement routines that are simple and straightforward. As you plan, start by outlining the school day, for example, if you are an elementary teacher, students come to class, then how is the day broken up? If you are a secondary teacher, how long is each class period? What are students expected to do when they enter class? How do they ask to leave class to go to their locker, bathroom, etc.? Never assume students should know how to enter a classroom…yep, I learned the hard way. Below is a list of different routines you should teach your students:
How are students expected to enter the classroom?
Is there bell work at the beginning of class? Can they talk during this time?
When can students sharpen their pencil? What if a student doesn’t have a pencil?
When can students leave class to go to their locker, bathroom, get a drink, etc.? Do they have to ask? Is there a limit to how many times they can leave? How many can leave the class at a time?
When do students start packing up? Can they just leave when the bell rings?
Cell phone policy?
If there is a class set of Chromebooks/iPad do students have free reign, do they check them out, are they assigned to each student?
How are classroom supplies used and put away?
Where do students turn in work and how is it passed back?
How do you get students' attention? To save my voice I used this doorbell and it worked amazing!
When someone enters the room can students greet them, start talking, etc.?
What are the expectations when taking notes or during direct instruction?
What is the routine when working in pairs or small groups? Are there specific roles?
How are students expected to move around the classroom during activities such as stations?
If a student was absent, where can they get missed work?
Get your FREE guide to help you plan your first week of school. In the guide you will find tips, examples, and an implementation framework to help your year start off right.
Building Relationships
One thing I take pride in is my ability to make connections and build positive relationships with all of my students. I have found that building a rapport with students has created an environment that promotes learning for even the most reluctant students. At the end of the school year, I always ask students what they enjoyed the most about the class and how I can improve. While a lot of students point out specific activities or lessons, many students mention that “you talk to us like real people” or “you talked to us about other stuff that isn’t school”.
As you plan, think of ways to start making connections with your students the first week (and beyond). Make it authentic and something that fits your personality. On the first day of class I start with a simple student survey, which is completed as bell work. I collect the surveys, keep them in a binder sorted by class period, and use them as a reference for conversation starters with students.
Class Structure
If you teach at the secondary level, how will you structure your class period? A general rule, specifically middle school, think of your class in 10-15 minute chunks. After 15 minutes, students tend to lose focus. Below is an example of how I structure our 70 minute class periods:
Warm up: 10 minutes
Lesson: 10-15 minutes
Activity: 15 minutes
Intervention: 10-15 minutes
Independent Practice: 10 minutes
Exit Ticket: 5 minutes
As you prepare for the school year, remember that effective planning is the cornerstone of a smooth running classroom. By implementing efficient routines and thoughtful strategies, you can create an environment where both you and your students thrive. Do you want a structured classroom environment? Do you need a framework and examples on how to start planning?
Get your FREE guide to help you plan your first week of school. In the guide you will find tips, examples, and an implementation framework to help your year start off right.
Start your school year with a plan in place! In my Streamline & Simplify course I walk you step by step in setting up systems so you can reduce your workload. Click here to get the course 50% off.
