6 Things to Set Up in Your Classroom Before the First Day of School
Back to school season is in the air (and in the aisles of Target!) which means my brain is spinning with things to get ready before heading back into the classroom for the new school year. One of my best strategies for having a successful start of the year is to front load some of my tasks in the summer in preparation for returning to school. Some of these tasks include things that I will need to set up my classroom before students return. Here are 6 things I make sure to set up before the first day of school that help me to stay organized and prepared.
Name tags: Once I have my class list I get to work making student name tags. I make each student a desk plate name tag AND a wearable name tag. I love having my students wear name tags every day during the first week of school. Not only does it help me to learn their name, but it also helps all adults and support staff in the school to learn their name as well. On the name tag I include their name, room number, and my name in case they happen to get lost in the hallway (this is especially essential in kindergarten!).
Seating charts: Creating a seating chart before even meeting students can be challenging, but I like to have a temporary one set up before students enter the room. I create a seating chart for student’s desks as well as for our rainbow rug. For the rug I print a set of Avery labels with each student’s name and stick it right on their assigned carpet spot.
Line order: If you like your students to line up in a line order to transition in the hallway I highly recommend starting to train them on lining up in line order on day one. My preference is to have students line up in two side-by-side lines instead of one long line. I usually have 28-32 students in my class, so one big line takes forevvveeerrr for us to get anywhere.
Checklists: On the first day of school I like to have a checklist on a clipboard as I stand by the door to greet students. Many parents come to the door to drop off their students on the first day so it’s a perfect time for me to gather some essential information. I like to ask families how their child will get home from school (bus, pick up, after school care, etc.), what they will eat for lunch (school lunch or lunch from home), and any other important information I should know for the first day. If you have a back-to-school night before the first day of school you could also gather this information then.
Supply organization: Because I loop kindergarten to first grade I organize my student’s school supplies differently each year. In kindergarten I like to have community supplies, but I make first grade a little more exciting by giving students their own personal supplies in a pencil box. I decide how I want to set up my school supplies before the first day of school, but I don’t actually put out any supplies on the first day of school! Before putting out supplies I find it very beneficial to explicitly teach expectations of how to use and care for all our supplies.
Parent letters: Sending home important papers the first week of school is my best bet for getting them returned and signed by families. I am sure to send out all of my parent letters to the print shop during the summer so that they are ready for me to stuff in folders before the first day of school. Some of papers that I send home on day one include my classroom handbook, a letters about our classroom management systems, a volunteer form, a get to know you questionnaire, and a DonorsChoose photo release form.
Say goodbye to chaos at the beginning of the year and hello to a calm and organized classroom with a free classroom management checklist that includes 30 tips and tricks for setting up your classroom and implementing systems and routines!
If you’re ready to rock your classroom set up this school year, check out these time saving editable resources:
-Ashley @ Little Learning Ladybugs
