Back to School Preparation
Ways for Teachers to Mentally Prepare for the End of Summer Vacation
Jul 30, 2008
Whether summer was spent taking classes, teaching summer school, traveling or relaxing at home, teachers’ thoughts return to the classroom before the back to school sales return to the local mall. This time of reflection is valuable preparation for the new school year. Collecting new ideas, organizing material and reconnecting with teaching philosophies are three ways to prepare mentally for the first day of school.
Collect New Lesson Ideas
New and seasoned teachers alike are familiar with the idea of over preparing a lesson. Always having an extra activity, extension to a lesson or something different for times when plans go faster than expected is a basic staple to teaching. Summer vacation is a good time to search for and collect some new ideas for lessons.
A convenient way to start is with the World Wide Web. Perhaps there is a lesson that frequently ends earlier than expected or one that could use a new project or open ended research. Take an hour or two and web surf for lesson plans, assignments or project ideas. Or visit one of the many sites that provide collections of lessons, projects and units.
Organize Classroom Materials
Once school starts it can be difficult to get organized. Starting early helps establish a routine that is easier to follow throughout the semester or school year. Some ideas to get an early start on organization include:
- Create daily folders for lesson plans, handouts or other materials. Laminate the folders so they withstand daily use easier.
- Organize and label the file cabinet.
- Go through older lessons or collections of previous assignments and determine if they are valuable to keep or should be recycled.
- Use binders or file folders to neatly keep any collections of old assignments or ideas for lesson extensions.
Create a Teaching Philosophy
Take some time to become reacquainted with the philosophies that are considered pivotal in education. Read a brief summary about an educational philosopher or a book about the history of an educational system. Consider how these ideals do or do not affect today’s classroom experience.
Reflect on a personal philosophy of teaching. Contemplate its relevance compared to experiences and knowledge since it was written. Review the philosophies or experiences that helped create the original version. Decide whether to revise it or create a new one.
Taking some time before the new school year begins to reflect, collect and organize is a worthwhile endeavor. It provides an opportunity for contemplation that may not be available during the school year. It also allows unhurried time for organizing and researching. Furthermore, when a teacher starts the new school year prepared, organized and connected to his or her philosophies that teacher is more able to be relaxed and less anxious during the stress of the first day of school.
For more information about teacher preparation, read the Back to School Checklist.
Reference: Inspiring Teachers
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