Preparing Over the Summer

It's summer time and I'm definitely going to relax and enjoy my time off. Even though I'm spending 98% of my time visiting family in the United States, I'll still be preparing for the upcoming school year! Here are some great ways to prepare for the upcoming school year and some helpful blog posts out there!

Steps to Get Prepared:

1. Out with the old! I'm a BIG believer in "If I haven't touched it in years, then it may be time to get rid of it." I'm not a hoarder because it just piles and piles up on me and I can never find what I need. Before school ended I spent Weeks 7 & 8 cleaning out the store room. (This was my outfit those days!)

It's a trackies and comfy shoes kind of day! #aussieteachers #australianteachersblog #2daysleft

A photo posted by Stephanie (@fishingforeducation) on Dec 15, 2015 at 2:22pm PST

2. Moving Rooms = Moving Tubs! I moved rooms this year and I made sure to put everything in a tub. (My favourite place to go for storage is The Reject Shop!) I had organised each tub and made sure they all fit in my cupboards. This way they were ALL out of the way for the cleaners.

My old room is now totally packed up! Bye old room 👋🏼 #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo #aussieteachers

A photo posted by Jem Luck (@jemluck) on Dec 18, 2015 at 2:45pm PST

3. Got My List! I got my list and a few notes from previous teachers to get me a bit prepared for my upcoming class. I take in what they noted, but I make sure to start the year FRESH with each student (even my 7 kiddos moving up with me), no judgements. I'm already making a Welcome sign and preparing labels. (Check out this cute door made by MissGirlingsClassroom)

My door is up! 😍🎈I just need to fix one balloon (only noticed it once I took the photo!!) and it's all ready for 2016! Hopefully the kids like it! #iteachthird #primaryteacher #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teachingideas #classroomdoor #up #aussieteachers

A photo posted by M I S S G I R L I N G 🍎 (@missgirlingsclassroom) on Dec 17, 2015 at 5:34pm PST

4. Room Theme Decor. I keep an ocean them in my class, goes along with my website. It may not really be THAT important, but I know my students enjoy an inviting room. However, some may go out and buy things, I either make them or get them off TPT to fit my classroom needs. There's a theme, but also a PURPOSE for each. I like to keep in mind "How will this benefit my students?" when putting up decor.

Make sure you head over to my @missjacobslittlelearners Facebook Page for the chance to win yourself a VIC modern cursive font #classroomdecor pack!! Bundle on sale until the end of the day :) #missjacobslittlelearners #aussieteachers #tpt #iteachtoo #downunderteachers #teachersfollowteachers

A photo posted by Miss Jacobs Little Learners (@missjacobslittlelearners) on Dec 18, 2015 at 1:14am PST

5. What worked this year? What didn't? I like to take a step back and think about what worked for my classroom this year. I think about the benefits and student outcomes to help decide if I keep it or change it. There were also things I wanted to try that didn't work for me. (And not even my students.) Things I like to focus on for the upcoming year: Parent Communication, Homework schedule, Literacy & Maths rotations, and Classroom jobs.

Plenty of Idiom Fish in the Sea! Our unit display! #kgfonts

A photo posted by Stephanie (@fishingforeducation) on Oct 29, 2015 at 2:08pm PDT

6. REST & RELAX! Best thing you can do to prepare for the new year is to rest up! Let your mind take a break and get plenty of sleep! Go off and have fun! Experience life and bring stories back to your students!