The start of any school year can be chaotic with so many things to prepare. But with some planning, organization, and careful preparation, you can tackle the start of the year with ease.
And, there's nothing more useful than having a checklist ready when you're faced with multiple tasks. That's why we've created this handy guide for both parents and teachers to prepare for the start of a new school year.
With these back-to-school tips, you'll get through the first day (or weeks!) of school without worry.
Back To School Checklist For Parents
Back-to-school time can be incredibly exciting for you and your kids. There's nothing better than the first day of school photos, seeing their school friends again, and (of course) having new school supplies.
But let's face it: Getting everything ready for school can also be overwhelming since there are plenty of things you need to remember. This is especially true if you have more than one child! That's why having a list of back-to-school essentials can help you to keep track of what you need.
Clothes and shoes
Getting your child's school wardrobe ready before school starts is really important - not only for their comfort, but for their confidence, too. You can start by taking stock of their current clothing and sorting them into what still fits and what needs to be replaced for the year ahead.
The essentials include:
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Everyday school clothes
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Gym clothes
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Weather-appropriate clothes like jackets or raincoats
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Shoes - especially for younger children who grow out of them way too quickly
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School uniforms (if necessary)
For schools that do have uniforms, you should make sure you have all of the required items. And, if you can purchase some spares, it's a great way to save time and take the pressure off having to do laundry every day.
Backpacks and lunch boxes
A high-quality, durable backpack is essential for school. Look for one with sturdy, padded straps to make your children more comfortable. This is particularly important for younger kids, who may struggle with the weight of heavy backpacks.
A backpack with multiple compartments will also make it easier for your child to find exactly what they're looking for and stay organized throughout the school day.
Additionally, a well-insulated lunchbox is a great way to keep your child's food fresh until lunchtime. After all, there's nothing worse than a stale PB&J or cut fruit that has gone warm and mushy - and it's important to remember that kids can't learn when they're hungry!
Similar to the backpack, a lunchbox with different compartments can help to keep different foods separated and prevent leaks.
Stationery
Perhaps the most important school supplies are the stationery items your child needs. This is what they're going to rely on to do their schoolwork both in the classroom and at home, making it an essential thing to tick off your list before school starts.
The basic items you'll need include:
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Notebooks
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Folders
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Binders
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Pens
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Pencils
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Erasers
And if you really want to get your child excited about school, why not add in a few extras, like colorful gel pens? Or, you can surprise them with their own personal First Day Chalkboard.
Electronics
With plenty of schools ditching pen and paper for tablets and laptops, you may need to replace or purchase some new electronics for the school year. This will enable your child to complete homework, conduct research for school projects, and stay organized.
Oh, and don't forget accessories for these electronics! For example, a laptop sleeve works well for protection when they're not being used. Similarly, a lap desk can come in handy to keep tablets or laptops upright while your child is busy with school work.
Back To School Checklist For Teachers
Back-to-school time isn't just stressful for parents. It can also be pretty stressful for teachers since they'll need to prepare the classroom to facilitate learning and encourage students to engage in their lessons.
Classroom prep
The easiest way to start prepping for the year is to get your classroom in order. Cleaning up, organizing your storage areas and shelves, and making sure that everything is in its place can help ease the chaos that normally goes hand in hand with the first day of school.
A clean classroom also creates a more welcoming environment for your students, so it doesn't only help you get organized - it puts them at ease, too!
Clean and prep your writing surface
One of the most integral parts of any classroom is the whiteboard or chalkboard. Naturally you're going to want to make sure it's clean and that you have all the necessary supplies to use it effectively. For example, you're going to want to have an eraser, whiteboard or chalkboard markers, and a cleaning liquid or microfibre cloth for those stubborn marks that take a little more elbow grease to get rid of.
Stock up on stationery and supplies
Just like your students, you're going to need to stock up on stationery like paper, pens, and pencils. As a teacher, it doesn't hurt to have a few extra pens, pencils, chalk markers, and erasers handy in case your students need them! You can also keep a few spare notebooks for the same reason.
A diary or calendar can be incredibly helpful to keep track of your lessons, any school events, or any notable activities or dates happening at school.
Lesson planning
Preparing your lessons for the first week of school can help take the pressure off. Of course, lesson planning is always important, but it's perhaps most important at the start of the school year.
Take some time out to include some icebreakers or relaxed activities for your students as well. This will ease them into the routine of the new year and create a more inviting learning environment.
FAQs
How can I make my classroom more exciting on the first day of school?
As a teacher, making sure your students are happy and excited for school is a tough job. But it doesn't have to be! There are plenty of things you can do to liven up your classroom on the first day of school (and all year round, for that matter).
If your students have assigned seats, you can create little name tags to show them where they're sitting. And if they don't have assigned seats? Let them draw their names and 'seat number' out of a hat!
You can also make your classroom more exciting by decorating it with a theme. For instance, you can use your whiteboard or chalkboard to create decor that you can change out periodically.
What are some fun craft ideas for the first day of school?
Usually, the first few days (or weeks) of school are about getting the children used to an unfamiliar environment. This is especially true for young kids starting elementary school. So, why not break the ice and make them more comfortable by introducing some fun crafts?
You can have each child create something to decorate the classroom. Or, you can encourage them to socialize with their peers by having a group chalkboard craft session, where each adds a unique picture to the chalkboard. Just let your imagination run wild and the kids are guaranteed to have a lot of fun!
Final Thoughts
Getting your kids ready for school doesn't have to be as scary as it seems. And the same goes for prepping your classroom for a new batch of students! As long as you have a comprehensive checklist (and now you do), you'll be organized and ready for the new school year.