School’s out for the summer! (Please tell me you sang that while reading like I did!) It’s that time of the year and I KNOW you’re ready to bolt out the door and get summer break started. But you want to know the secret to enjoying your summer even more? I’ve got 5 quick things that your future self will thank you for when you return back to school in the fall!
#1: Make A List
Are you like me and LOVE lists?! It’s gotta be a teacher thing right? Well make yourself one last list list for your future self when you return to school in the fall. We’re talking about a list of where you stored things, all those pesky passwords, what needs to get done when you return, etc. It’s an easy way to empty your mind of all things school related, but also something that will help quickly jog your memory when you return. You future self WILL thank you because your brain might still be a little foggy and in summer mode. This list can be written and stored in your classroom so you don’t have to think about it until you get back! Or if you’re like probably 98% of teachers, you can store it digitally in case you wanna add some stuff over summer break since our brains are always thinking of the classroom.
#2: Organize and Clean
One of my FAVORITE things to do at the end of the year is to get rid of stuff! Donating and throwing things away literally lightens your load so you can float your way into summer. We’re talking about the stuff that’s been sitting in your cabinets collecting dust for “a time you might use it…” (you know what I’m talking about!) It’s also a time to get all those piles filed and reorganize so that again, your future self will thank you.
While organizing and cleaning, it’s a good idea to determine things you’ll need for the next school year, such as supplies and books, as well as declutter or change things that didn’t work over the year. For me, one space I’m always thinking through and revamping is our classroom library. You might have a different space that has been something you’ve had to tackle a lot throughout the year. Jot down what worked so you can remember for next year. I love donating things to other teachers or my students at this time as well!
Are you already feeling like there’s so much to do and you just want to be on a beach relaxing? Well I’m here to help make things easy for you! Grab this FREE End of the Year Checklist below to help think through ALL the things for packing and prepping for summer break.
Love this FREE resource?
Check out THIS post for some more quick and easy classroom clean up tips!
#3: Prep for The First Week of School
Now this one you may think sounds crazy but hear me out because it’s a game changer! If you take the time to plan and prep the first week of school, how amazing will it feel to step foot in the door with everything prepped, copied, and planned out?!
I’m sure you think I’m crazy to ask you to even THINK about what in the world you’ll be doing during the first week of school. But I actually DON’T want you to think about it because I’ve already done it. That first week we’ll be building our community, getting to know each other, enjoying some great read-alouds and the planning for it all is a LOT. But I’ve made that easy for you too with the First Week of School Kit! Everything is prepped, organized, and ready to go in this neat and tidy tub!
You can learn more about it HERE!
#4: Prep and Restock
While you’re at it, get ahead and get those student folders made and ready, your meet the teacher materials planned and prepped, and restock your sub binder! I know at the end of the year you’re just ready to get the heck out of there, but I promise if you take just a little bit of time to prep the back to school things, it will feel so much better leaving for summer break AND for when you return in fall. Your future self will be thanking you profusely, while every other teacher has so many things to do and you can really relax while setting up your classroom.
These folders help keep things organized for families and it’s easy to prep extras right at the beginning when you get students in the middle of the year. Check out THIS video for some things I like to include in the folders for families!
#5: Reflect, Celebrate, and Let Go
The last and final tip before heading out for summer break is to take time to celebrate things that went well for the year, reflect and take notes about things you want to change or make different for next year, and let go of what you can’t change. This could be things like classroom setup, organization ideas that didn’t work, etc.
A tip I’ve learned is to take pics of areas and setups that you really liked and worked well. This can make it easy when you are getting ready to setup again in the fall. You won’t have to remember tiny pieces of a bulletin board you liked because you’ll have your pictures to look back on!
After you’ve taken the time to reflect and celebrate, walk away from the school year and leave it behind. It’s important to rest and recharge over summer. Let go of the stuff that didn’t work out. One of the best things about being a teacher is that you get a fresh start each year with students!
The purpose of this blog was to help you learn some quick and easy tips to help you get ready for summer and actually spend it how you want it! Check out more end of the year tips below and share with us in the comments one of YOUR favorite end of the year hacks you’ve learned over the years. Most importantly, enjoy your summer break! You’ve earned it!!
More End of the Year Tips
End of the Year Community Building
10 Tips to Make it to the End of the Year
Easy End of the Year Management Hacks
5 Easy End of the Year Organization Tips
I hope you enjoyed gaining some quick ways to help set yourself up for success when it comes to leaving for summer break. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including the End of the Year Checklist FREEBIE! You will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.
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