It's almost time! Soon student voices will fill the halls again, footsteps will down the stairs, and the bell of class period will sound. It's back-to-school season once again! After a summer that flies by in a blink of an eye, Christian school teachers will be soon making the annual migration back to the classroom.
New and veteran teachers alike will open the classroom door and take a look at how the room was left last spring or how it's faired over summer school session. It could hold a few surprises (and some might not be good), so the sooner you can get your classroom ready, the better for a smooth back-to-school experience!
Here are a few tips to get your classroom up to speed:
1. Check technology, electricity, plumbing, and thermostat
Nothing is worse than a broken light bulb, a projector that doesn't work, turned off water, or a boiling temperature in your classroom on the first day of class. Do a quick double check of all these technical items, including outlets, computer monitors, and the like. Also make sure no structural room damage has occurred over the summer.
2. Sweep those fuzzy bunnies away
Throw open those blinds and put in a little elbow grease (get volunteers in fellow teachers or family members to help!). Give your classroom a few days of TLC and get down into those corners, gum stuck desk cracks, and germy tables. A clean classroom helps both for sanitary reasons, but it also gives a fresh, new mindset to the next year.
3. Replace broken or worn equipment
File cabinets seen better days? Tired of your tippy lab table? Replacing equipment is much easier before the new school year starts, as you won't need to rearrange classroom furniture while the semester is in progress. Who says you need to blow a budget either? Used furniture and office stores, garage and estate sales, and re-purposing can offer financially friendly solutions.
4. Consider new items to add
Would student lockers help with clutter? How about individual student shelves or bins? Think of new and better ways to organize your classroom or furniture layout for maximum learning. Does the whiteboard make sense there? Could desks face another direction? Should tables be mobile? Find tons of creative ideas online with Pinterest or other collaborative educator websites.
5. Save space by going digital (and recycling)
Paperwork taking over? Take control by going digital with assignments and recycling paper items no longer needed. Cut down paper use by scanning in old files and encouraging electronic submissions. With AOP's Ignitia online curriculum, lessons are digital, so students don't have to order new textbooks and you don't have worry about recycling them. Plus, all grading is done in Ignitia, and parents and students can see results online.
6. Buy cleaning/hygiene materials for the year
Be prepared for the worst with hygiene products to keep students healthy. Get cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, a first aid kit, and tons of tissues. Stock up your classroom with the essentials placed where students can find them and post signs for frequent cleaning and sanitary practices including hand washing.
What's your best tip for making a classroom back to school ready?