No longer sleeping in: check.
Waking up at odd hours to think about my bulletin board: check.
Analyzing my class list: check.
“Sunday stomach:” check.
Friends, it’s almost August. That means it’s time. I can no longer be in denial. It is here. It is time to embrace back to school thinking.
Each fall, there are things I purchase for the classroom, because they have become part of my routine and are consumable from year to year. I thought I would share some of them with you, along with what I use them for.
I make multiple stops for items. Over time, I have learned which stores have the best prices or more variety, etcetera. Typically, I take one summer day and hit them all. I pile things into the back of the car and then make one big drop off to my classroom. In our district, teachers report August 10. We have five work days to get ready for students to arrive, but those days are filled with professional development, staff meetings, teacher meetings, and more. I learned one thing early on: get your room ready before all else!
AMAZON BUYS
I use these for attendance each year. I assign each student a number and write those numbers on a magnet. I keep all of our magnets on the side of a filing cabinet. Each morning, the kiddos come in and move their number magnet to the hot or cold lunch section to show their presence.
These are a must each year. I make multiple sets of “name sticks” each fall. I use them for job charts and rotate students through the chart each week so they can help out in the classroom. I also put a set in a mason jar and pull them at random to make discussion groups. I see all fifth graders, not just my homeroom, so I make name sets for those kiddos, too. I also use sticks for taking turns, especially with hot items like pillows and cushy chairs. On a related note, this is one of my favorite back to school tasks. When I need to write my kiddos’ names repeatedly, it helps them stick in my brain!
New year, new roster! Must have desk name plates! For Covid, seating arrangements were specific and precise. But, for most years, I allow students to find their nametags on back to school night and choose a desk. Yes, they always choose to group together with their friends. That’s why I do it. I learn a lot by watching the social dynamics the first few days. Then I rearrange my way, of course :).
Students earn tickets by getting their planners signed daily. They keep these tickets and then “cash them in” for prizes like little trinkets, wear a hat for the day, chew gum, buy Mrs. G’s chair for the day, have lunch in the classroom, buy a homework coupon, and such. I try to reuse tickets as much as possible, but they often get stockpiled and lost over time.
This year, our building decided to do a back-to-school Olympics theme. I always put something special on the kids’ desks for back to school night. This year, I bought these bags for a little treat. Inside, I added:
Cute pencils to use on the first day. I always sharpen the pencils first. Yes, this mundane task ahead of time saves me multiple minutes of wasted time when all the kiddos arrive with their unsharpened pencils on day one and need to stand in line to sharpen. Parents, if you have a pencil sharpener at home, please use it before school! Sharpened pencils are my best friend.
These stress balls are going in the bags, too. I thought they were cute for the Olympics theme, though I may very well be sorry I gave them out. Fifth graders love a good “stress ball” which is actually, let’s be honest, a fidget or something hilarious to throw at your friend when he is least expecting it. But, it will be a popular item.
In addition to pencils and balls, I will likely add some Rolos (wrapped in gold – yay / nonallergenic – yay) for a sweet bite. I will put the bags on the kiddos’ desks, along with their fifth grade handbook and other important take-home information.
Usually, I write postcards to everyone and have them ready for their back to school night bags. Last year, we were virtual to begin the year, so I sent these in the mail a week or two after we’d started together. I think we all still like getting snail mail, so I think I will send them again this year, too.
MICHAELS
Michaels has started to carry The Happy Planner line, and they are offering them at a discounted price. For years, I used a boring plain planner that my office ordered. Then, alllllllllll the teachers around me started carrying these super cute ones. And you know what? I got on board! I have to say, when I get my Sunday stomach during the school year, it does help me to open up something pretty, something colorful, and something with stickers (praise hands!!!!!!) in order to do my planning.
I also picked up this for my desk. I don’t have a calendar routine, because I teach intermediate kiddos. They all have their own personal planners to write assignments and notes in. Consequently, we do not have a displayed classroom calendar. You would be surprised at how often I forget what day it is if I do not have the date in front of me. Enter, large desk calendar.
WALMART
The best prices for folders are always at Walmart. I buy a class set of folders, same color, each fall. These become my students’ take home folders for the year. Because they travel back and forth between home and school, they need to be plastic so they don’t rip. Also, I find it easier for each student to have the same color, so I can pick them out quickly.
On the first day of school, I do a little ice breaker activity. Each student gets a cup of Skittles. Then, I put the kiddos into small groups. They take turns pulling out a Skittle and sharing something according to the color pulled. For example, red may be “Share a favorite summer activity.” Yellow may be “Share a favorite song or movie.” You get the idea. Kids are happy when they eat. This is hint one for a successful first day. Big candy bags are available in most places now, but usually the prices are higher at the grocery store and at the office supply store.
It is important to me to have a classroom that is comfy and cozy. I use lamps and string lights for soft lighting, and I always invest in new pillows for the kids to read with (minus last year, of course. Covid made things much less cozy). This year, I am hopeful that we can get back to soft things. It’s funny, this reminds me of my next yearly purchase:
Even pre-Covid, I always bought spray and wipes to have on hand. When someone pukes, you really don’t want to smell that for too long. I know … sorry. But, if you teach, you’re gonna see puke every now and then. Spray is great for those pillows, too! Also, kids are generally a little gross. I say that in a most affectionate way. Fifth graders really like to eat cheesy chips. And then their fingers brush every surface. Spray and wipes are a must always. Not just in pandemic times.
Of course, there are a number of other things that make me feel like I have a well-stocked and readied classroom. I like to have extra notebooks, pencils, highlighters, and paper for students who are not able to come with supplies. I stock up on snacks for the same reason. I buy paper cups for activities (like skittles) and for water for those who don’t remember a water bottle. I am always on the hunt for gently used books to update my classroom library. Every other year, I need to buy a decent electric pencil sharpener. Sometimes, I need to refresh borders and posters. I always pick up some trinkets and little goodies for prizes and suckers for birthdays.
It is important for students to feel happy and warm in a classroom. I think classrooms should be places that are not just functional, but also have an identity and a culture. The little things matter.
So, ready or not, back to school!
