Hey all! I am linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 5 2.0!
Today, I'm going to show you how I got my classroom ready for the school year in just THREE DAYS!
Why did I only have three days? Because I don't go in to work in my room over the summer. A lot of teachers go in early and you can tell because their classrooms are BEAUTIFUL!
You will not see beautiful, Pinterest-worthy classroom pictures in this post. You will just see the down and dirty process of how I get ready for the year.
(If you DO want to see some beautiful classroom photos, check out my friend Molly's blog @ The Sassy Apple. She is so creative and spends a lot of time making her classroom look happy, organized, and fun.
Here's what I did...
1. Seating charts, class lists, first cycle lesson plans and materials. These are "behind the scenes" items that you can't see when you walk into my room, but they are the MOST IMPORTANT THING for me to have in order before the students arrive on the first day. Because they're most important, they're something I tackle first. They are also the most time consuming.
2. Updated my desk calendar. Every year, I have a huge desk calendar. When my calendar is updated, I feel IN CONTROL of everything. This is what keeps my life in ordered during the school year. Definitely priority number two.
3. Prepared paperwork for parent night. I took on the duty of 4th grade band this year. I wanted to make sure I had information to hand out to parents because I knew they would have questions. I have some anxiety about not only adding more work for myself, but something brand new that I don't feel totally confidant doing yet. I'll get there!
4. Decorating, organizing, and tidying up my classroom. I will be honest, I do the bare minimum when it comes to bulletin boards and classroom decorating. Bulletin boards are very time consuming and I'd rather spend my time creating fun lessons for my students. But my classroom needs to look inviting and ready for the students to arrive, so I do need to put some effort into this. Luckily, I don't take everything down at the end of the school year so I have less to put up. I'm no dummy!
New toys!
Oh, my friend Molly, who I mentioned above, did the bulletin board outside my room for me! She spent a lot of time making it look AWESOME. Thank you, Molly!
5. Other random crap... such as creating playlists on my phone, putting tape on the floor for the kindergarteners to sit on, decorating my band room, laminating, making copies, picking chorus music... The tasks are endless! In fact, I woke up at 1:30am on Tuesday morning and just freaking got up because my to do list was so long that I couldn't sleep! Wednesday morning I got up at 3:30. Ugggggh!
Behavior communication chart I can use to let the classroom teacher know how the music class went.
We got new phones! I feel like an adult!
I was super productive, and for the most part, I was prepared for the first day!
Do you work well under pressure?
Teachers: What is the most important thing for you to have in order for the first day of school?
Teachers: What is the most important thing for you to have in order for the first day of school?
Your class looks great!! Does 4th grade band mean that you've switched from "music" teacher to "band", or do you do both? (sorry if that's a stupid question!! LOL) I like this behind the scenes look. I had no idea what teachers did to prepare for school!
ReplyDeleteIts not a dumb question at all. I am doing both! So everything i did before plus instrument lessons. My schedule is going to be insane but it was either me do it or they would cut the program!
Deletei can't believe it's already back to school time. This summer just flew by!
ReplyDeleteYour classroom looks amazing and I'm sure that the students will really appreciate it!
You look very prepared! Hope you and the kids have a fantastic school year.
ReplyDeleteThank you Deborah!
DeleteEverything looks so fun! I loved music class, even when I had no talent.
ReplyDeleteWell in my class it doesn't matter whether you have talent, as long as you participate! :)
DeleteMajor props to you for taking over the band program so they didn't cut it! That's what makes you a great teacher, not necessarily having a pinterest-worthy looking classroom. Not that there's anything wrong with that, either. I think your bulletin board looks great and you're ready for the kiddos!
ReplyDeleteWell one thing they say is that if you make the decision that is right for the children, then it's always the correct decision. I couldn't let the 4th graders miss out on band. It is going to be crazy though!
DeleteYour classroom looks GREAT. And that is wonderful news about taking over the band program -- you are amazing my friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks girl!
DeleteIsn't it funny how sometimes what may seem like the smallest tasks actually take a lot of time? I spent all day working in my room. I got my bulletin board done and first day essentials and I figure there is other stuff I can do later.
ReplyDeleteYour friend Molly did an awesome job o your board.
Oh yeah, there are a lot of "easy" things... like a seating chart is not brain surgery BUT it is time consuming!
DeleteTeachers work so hard and do so much on there own time! Looks like you are prepared and ready to take on the year.
ReplyDeleteI am pumped!
DeleteI love your rainbow instruments! Those phones... I am not sure about them yet. I can't hear it ring for the life of me! People keep having to deliver messages to me because I have missed like 6 calls. Thanks for the shout outs : )
ReplyDeleteNo one has called me yet. Maybe I can't hear my phone either!?
DeleteI think I might have mentioned that I have a teaching degree as well and if I had entered that profession, I would have liked the organisational part of it a lot, I think.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you had a teaching degree! What are you certified in? I do like organizing, unfortunately I could spend just as much time organizing as teaching and there are not enough hours in the day!
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