The Ultimate Back to School Checklist for the New School Year- The Teacher Edition
Posted by EYR Team on 24th Aug 2021
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Are you ready for the Big Return to School? As the summer holidays gradually come to a blissful end, it’s time to cast your thoughts back to the classroom! The new school year is quickly approaching, meaning it’s a fresh start for both pupils and teachers alike.
Making sure your classroom is ready for your little learners and the new academic year can sometimes feel overwhelming, even for experienced teachers.
With so much to do and so little time, we’ve put together practical tips and useful resources, including our downloadable back to school checklist for teachers, to help you prepare for the new term.
Between setting up the classroom, organising supplies, scheduling your timetable and planning activities, there is plenty to prepare.
Whether you’re an experienced teacher or setting up your first classroom, you’ll find useful tips and essentials to help you get ready for the academic year.
1. Setting up your classroom
The key to success in the classroom is creating a positive learning environment that inspires children and encourages a love of learning.
A well-designed classroom helps children understand boundaries, recognise routines and anticipate daily activities.
To set yourself up for success, structure your classroom in a way that is neat and organised, has dedicated areas or “zones” for learning and makes use of colourful displays.
- Include clearly labelled storage to encourage children to tidy away independently
- Design your classroom to include dedicated areas for specific learning even if it is just a corner of the room
- Arrange classroom furniture strategically so you can see everything from your desk
- Include furniture that allows resources to be accessed independently, for example books on lower bookshelves.
- Prominently display children’s work
- Create colourful classroom displays to show off seasonal or curricular topics
Did you know? We now offer a bespoke free room design service to help teachers find the perfect classroom solutions for all learning stages. For inspiration or ideas to improve your learning environment effectiveness, read our blog on how to improve your learning space.
2. Get organised
Organisation and success go hand in hand. The return to school is the perfect time to make sure you have everything needed to support effective lessons.
Classroom essentials should not be an afterthought. Make sure you have supplies such as stationery, exercise books, boards, pencils, pens, paper fasteners and files ready for the new term.
- New resources are an effective indicator of a new year and new mindset and can help get children prepared for learning
- Make sure you are well stocked up on the basics so that there is no last minute panic on the first day back
- As well as the basics, make sure you have a supply of additional resources like reward stickers and signs for the classroom
3. Lesson planning
Plan, plan, plan! Use the time before the new term to prepare activities that make lessons fresh and exciting.
Consider icebreakers for the first day back and prepare backup lesson plans in case activities need to change.
The first day back can set the tone for the rest of the term, so having settling-in activities ready can help children feel confident and inspired.
- Planning activites for the new school year in advance will take the stress out of the job at hand and will make the learning process easier and more fun for all
- Try and use new resources for your curricular lessons to make topics new and exciting, for example, the latest Numicon or phonics resources
- Ensure you have a plan B (or C!) if all else fails
- Despite our best intentions, planning may not always go to plan! Downloadable teaching resources that support curricular topics are a fantastic way to ensure you don’t fall flat if inspiration or planning fails you
4. Prepare back to school activities
Activities such as arts and crafts and games are a great way to create a memorable start to the new school year.
Arts and crafts can encourage creativity and help even shy children feel more comfortable.
These activities can also support learning and provide useful opportunities to reinforce curriculum topics.
- Activities will come in handy during that first week in particular as you ease children back into learning. Why not break the ice with Conversation Cubes
- When lesson planning, think of ways learning can be supported with activities that will make teaching that little bit more fun and memorable
- Get children to feel comfortable with one another with “all about me” activities – a great way to re-introduce the class to each other. Try our printable Who Am I? activity to spark new friendships
- Preparing lots of art and craft activities for the first few weeks will help children find the whole return to school experience less daunting and more fun!
5. Take a deep breath
While September is a hectic time for teachers, children and parents, it is also an exciting opportunity to start a new academic year.
Between planning, organising and preparing your classroom, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. From arranging learning spaces to compiling reading lists, there is plenty to organise after the summer holidays.
Our back to school checklist for teachers helps EYFS and primary teachers focus on the essentials and prepare one step at a time.
In need of a little inspiration or looking for last-minute teaching resources? Make the most of our downloadable resources. From certificates to reward the most behaved students to printable Christmas activities, we have a wonderful collection of downloads. All you need is a registered account and a printer! If you haven’t already, sign up for full access to our free and premium downloadables.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare my classroom for children who may feel anxious on the first day of school?
Keep classroom layouts simple and include quiet areas where children can take a break if they feel overwhelmed. Plan gentle transition activities, such as getting-to-know-you games or story time, to help children settle in at their own pace.
What should I prioritise if I have limited time for classroom preparation?
If you're short on time, focus on the essentials that will have the biggest impact during the first few days of term. Decorative touches can always be added later, so start by arranging the classroom layout and setting up key learning areas. Plan your classroom rules and come up with some icebreakers/activities for the first week back at school.
How often should I update my classroom displays and learning areas?
Rather than changing everything at once, refresh classroom displays at the start of a new topic or periodically throughout the year to help keep the classroom engaging and relevant.
How can I prepare my classroom for children with different learning needs?
Preparing a classroom that supports different learning needs starts with creating an inclusive environment where every child can feel comfortable and confident. Test different approaches to see what works for your classroom. This can include taking steps to reduce sensory noise, having visual timetables as well as designated quiet zones.
