5 Steps to Prep for Back to School in the Summer (& Still Enjoy It!)

Back to school is almost upon us, but wait! Summer is for all of the amazing things you didn’t have time to do in the school year. Enjoy summer. Summer is fantastic! When the thoughts of newly waxed floors, new rosters, and meet the teachers start to surface, take a moment, regroup, and figure out a productivity system that helps you feel prepared while enjoying the sunny days of summer!

1. Make a To-Do List

As a writing teacher, brainstorm is one of my very favorite words. Back to school is the perfect time to practice this! When I feel overwhelmed, I write a brain dump where I make a list or randomly write down the several hundred items running through my head (all on one sheet or paper). It instantly makes me feel better!

I recommend using this strategy when it comes to back to school. In the weeks or days before you return to school, make a digital or print list of all the things running through your mind. Questions. Things to buy. Reminders. You name it? Put it on the list!

Then, go through and highlight the things that stand out to you. The things that really need to get done. The rest can wait ’til later.

Finally, group the items by type. For example, put all of your [can’t do anywhere except in my classroom] items into one list. [Things to buy] in another list. This step will automize some of the work you need to do!

2. Batch Your Work

Back to School Batching is a teacher productivity tip that groups similar tasks together and setting aside a time to complete them all or work on them. If you made your lists in Step 1, you’ve already gotten a head start on batching!

To batch, set aside 1-2 hours of time to complete or work on one of your lists. For example, if you want to get a head-start on lesson planning, batch two or three lessons or weekly plans in that timeframe.

Another great thing to batch is prepping resources to print. You can batch your laminating/cutting out and labeling. Whatever normally eats away your hours of free time, figure out a way to batch it!

If you can batch while watching TV, listening to music or a crazy-wonderful podcast, even better!

3. Pick Your Classroom Theme

If you are not one to design a classroom theme, keep scrolling to #4! For the rest of us who spend way too much time stealing decor tips on Pinterest, summer is the time to pick a classroom theme!

My top reason to pick a theme early is so I can be on the lookout for amazing summer deals on items I can use. Spend some time after holidays or other major sales (Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc.) to see if anything is marked down.

Creating amazing classroom themes can get expensive. Go slowly through the summer purchasing 1-2 needed items each month so that you can curate your perfect style while spending your dollars on summertime fun instead of overpriced decor!

If I can’t get into my classroom early, I will store these decor items in a Sterlite bin or other crate for easy unpacking in pre-plannning!

4. Reevaluate Your Teaching Philosophy

I try not to dwell on the past, but some reflection can be helpful every once in a while! Each year, I try to reflect on what went well, what I want to lean more into, and what I may need to change. Remember the teaching philosophies we wrote in college? I’m asking you to write another 10,000 word essay . . . NOT!

Instead, come up with a mantra or a short list of things that really matter to you. What kind of teacher do you want to be? Remember we change just like our kiddos. You do not have to be the exact same each year! Reinvention can be pretty fun, too.

5. Make Your “Top 3 Priorities”

Similar to batching, I love grouping my “Top 3s.” I ask myself: What are my top 3 priorities for the school year? What are my top 3 items on my to-do list? (Those are the items I batch first!) What are my top 3 self care priorities that I am going to commit to for the year.

The purpose of this exercise is to make sure we’re thinking about what is important to us and making a short mental plan to make it happen. Three items is doable. Don’t stress yourself out trying to take on the world!

Enjoy your weeks and days before the new school year! Rest and relax as much as you can and pump yourself up for an amazing year! Productivity and passion go hand in hand, and you are going to ROCK this year.