Archives for June 2023

Gearing up for the back-to-school season? These back-to-school tips for moms will help you prepare for the new school year!

The end of summer brings excitement for kids and a sense of relief for parents who are eager to get back to a consistent routine. Without planning, however, the back-to-school season can be pure chaos, particularly for busy moms. Between work, summer activities, and the daily grind of household chores, finding time to organize back-to-school activities can feel overwhelming. We have created a guide to help you transform the chaos of back-to-school season into a calm and organized routine that works for you and your family. In this article, we’ll share simple and effective back-to-school tips for moms and families.

By following these tips, you’ll be ready to tackle the new school year with confidence and ease.

Plan Ahead with a Back-to-School Checklist

One of the best ways to start getting organized for the upcoming school year is to create a back-to-school checklist. A checklist will help you keep track of everything that needs to be completed before the first day of school.  Some vital tasks to include on the checklist are back-to-school shopping and scheduling appointments (haircuts and doctor appointments).

Once you complete your checklist, create a plan for completing the tasks on the checklist.  Checking off the completed tasks on the checklist will give you a sense of accomplishment and make the process less daunting. Grab a pen and paper and start making your back-to-school checklist!

I often like to create a brain dump where I dump all of my thoughts on paper.  After I place all of my thoughts on paper, I categorize the items on the list and make a plan to address the tasks.

Buy School Supplies

One essential task on every mom’s back-to-school checklist is purchasing school supplies. Before the first day of school, make sure to purchase school supplies that your child will need for the upcoming school year. Schools often include on their website a list of supplies for each grade level. Many states now have tax-free back-to-school shopping days which helps save families money so be sure to check to see if your state has tax-free shopping days.

Once you have purchased all the necessary supplies, label everything with your child’s name to ensure they do not get lost or mixed up with other student’s belongings.

Tip: Check your child’s bookbag on the last day of school.  Some teachers return supplies that were not used and can be used for the upcoming year.

Also, set aside time to go through your child’s clothes, sorting through their clothes and shoes.

First, take everything out of the closet and dresser drawers and sort items into piles based on what still fits and is in good condition and what needs to be replaced. This will give you a good idea of what you need to purchase.

Next, make a shopping list based on what your child needs. Don’t forget to take into account any dress code requirements for your child’s school. If you’re on a budget, prioritize items that will get the most wear, like comfortable shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits, or basics like solid color t-shirts and leggings.

If your child’s clothes and shoes are still in good condition feel free to skip this step!

Schedule Doctor and Dentist Appointments

Also include on your checklist, appointments for your child if necessary. Review their immunization record, depending on their new grade they may need updated shots.

By taking care of these appointments ahead of time, you’ll avoid the stress of trying to squeeze in appointments during the school year. Remember how busy life can get.

Re-Establish or Create Routines

A few weeks before the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to begin re-establishing routines. If you don’t have routines don’t stress (take this time to create new routines for your family).

Children have been on summer break which has come with a lot of free time (well-deserved free time) that often does not include many routines or structure. Getting them back into the swing of things before school starts allows for less stress for you and the kids.  Slowly working their way back into the routines and allows you to make adjustments as needed.

The easiest routine I always start a week before school is reimplementing their school bedtime. Remember that sleep is a vital component of a successful school day!

Some other routines to consider are:

Morning routine

When waking each weekday, have a plan.  As a mom, I have to wake up before my kids. This may seem counterintuitive but waking up even 15-30 minutes before your children can allow you to experience the calm before the chaos.

You can use this time to meditate, exercise, read, or simply get dressed before the kids wake up.  These moments set the tone for your morning and day.

Next, have a plan for when the kids wake up.  Do you want them to eat breakfast first, getting dressed last or will they first get dressed eating breakfast after?  Will they eat breakfast at school and only need to complete their hygiene routines?

The order of how you complete your morning activities should work for you and your family.

It’s also important to time your morning routine to ensure you will have enough time for your kids to arrive at school on time.  In addition, take into consideration the time that you will need to commute to work.

This article details how to set your morning up for success!

Tip: A good rule of thumb is to hold off on your technology in the morning.  It’s amazing that even when I plan to be on my phone for just five minutes, that time will go by so quickly and before I know it 30 minutes have passed.

Night Routine:

Night routines can make or break your mornings.  In the afternoon, take a few minutes before bed to set out your clothes for the next day, pack your bookbags, and prep breakfast. Doing these tasks the night before can save you time in the morning and minimize stress knowing that when you wake up, important tasks that need to be completed are done! Always strive to:

• Prep lunches
• Lay out tomorrow’s clothes
• Clean the kitchen

Tip: Depending on their age have your children help with the night routine.  This teaches them responsibility and makes the process go by quicker.

Homework routine

The dreaded word homework is another routine that will need consideration.  Find a space and set a time for your children to complete their homework each weekday.

Creating a dedicated homework space not only helps your child focus but also helps them establish a routine. They’ll know that when they sit down in their homework area, it’s time to work.

During homework time, I also try to check their folders for any papers to read and sign.  Our kitchen works out great as our homework space.

Having them in the same room also allows me to help them if needed on their homework.

Plan Your Meals

Speaking of dinners, deciding what’s on the menu on the whim can be stressful, especially at the beginning of the school year.

By planning your meals, you can save time and reduce stress, a win-win for all.

Create a weekly meal plan. Start by identifying meals you’ll need to prepare each day. Then, write a list of the ingredients you’ll need for each meal and take stock of what you already have on hand.

Happy Mom Hacks has great ideas for back-to-school snack and dinner ideas.

Next, pick a day to place a grocery order or physically go grocery shopping.  The extra planning will make your evenings go so much smoother!

Final Thoughts For Back To School Organization Tips For Moms 

Mastering back-to-school organization as a busy mom may seem stressful, but with the right approach, it can be a simple process. By following these practical back-to-school tips for moms, you can welcome the back-to-school season with ease.

Remember to stay flexible and give yourself grace as you navigate the busy weeks ahead. I would love to hear how you conquer the back-to-school season.  Drop your back-to-school tips for moms in the comments.

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As a teacher, the start of a new school year can be both exciting and overwhelming!  The beginning of the school year always represents a time where teachers can build new relationships with students.  At the beginning of the school year, there are also many back-to-school professional developments, curriculum updates, and preparations that need to be made which can be overwhelming.  With the pressure of preparing for the beginning of a school year being so great, the most important thing that you can do is to have a plan. A plan always helps with the pressure and allows me to remember to look forward to gaining new students whom I can grow over the school year.  This article details practical and effective classroom organization tips that will help you develop a plan to get ahead of the game and start the school year off strong.

Get ready to start your school year off with a bang with these classroom organization tips!

Declutter Your Classroom

As a new teacher, I often spent hours planning for the décor of my classroom.  I would choose a theme, select coordinating colors, and buy all the borders I could find.  I still believe classroom décor is important but my priorities have changed and believe classroom organization should be a top priority.

Many years teachers often move classrooms or by the end of the school year are so ready for the summer break that they pack up all our classroom items with no plan.

This often means that when teachers return to their classrooms for the new school year, they are greeted with boxes with items that may not be needed.

Go through your entire classroom including closets, cabinets, boxes, desks, etc.

Have a trash bag and boxes near and throw away any trash and place in your boxes items that you have not used and do not serve a purpose for your students.

If you have personal items that you no longer use consider donating the items to a new teacher.

If your classroom has curriculums, books, and supplies that have not been used in years, ask what the protocol is for removing unneeded items from your classroom.

Create Classroom Zones and Organize Your Physical Space

After decluttering your classroom, define and create zones for your classroom.  Zones are areas in a space where specific activities happen or where specific items belong.

For example, in my home kitchen, I have specific zones for my plates, cups, and silverware.  In my pantry, I also have specific zones for my canned goods, snacks, and staple foods (sugar, flour, pasta).

Some examples of zones in a classroom are:

Supply Station

Technology Station

Classroom Library

Student Belongings

Calm Down Area or Safe Area

Teacher Desk/Personal Space-Make sure that you are able to see all the students from this location

Small Group Area

Space for Manipulatives

Establish A Storage System

Once you have your zones established, bins are great tools for you to organize the materials that will be in each classroom zones.  Bins (with labels) allow students to know exactly where materials belong, help promote classroom expectations, and teach students organizational skills.

Paper tray organizations, crates, shoe bins, drawer carts, caddies, clear bins, baskets, stackable baskets and magazine holders are also great storage tools for classroom zones and overall classroom organization.

Tip:  Label, Label, Label. Labels and visual representations are great for universal understanding.

Classroom Organization

After you have established zones and have a storage system, begin to place your classroom items in their assigned spots. In the beginning of the school year and as a general overall rule, don’t place a lot of materials in the zones. Introduce the items to the students slowly and teach students the purpose of the items.

Teach your students (in-depth) where every item belongs and how to return it. Even pencils! It may seem silly, but it will pay off in the end!

Due to the student’s needs you may have to re-arrange your zones and materials several times. Before each break, I like to analyze my classroom for strengths and weaknesses and make adjustments as needed to my classroom set up.

Tip: Before a major transition (lunch, changing academic subjects) and at the end of the day build in 5-10 minutes where every student helps organize and clean the classroom. Before you leave for the day, clear and clean your desk.  You will not regret it when your return the following morning to your classroom.

Create A Few Weeks Of Lesson Plans

The first weeks of school can be crazy!  I remember the days that I would come home and take a nap because I was so mentally tired. One thing that always helped me destress at home was knowing that my lesson plans were planned and completed.

The first weeks of school are vital. Students have been out of school for several weeks and it will take time for them to respond to structures and routines.  If you don’t have a plan and students have a lot of free downtime, you are risking the quality of the classroom environment for the entire school year. In your lesson plans include instructional activities that include instruction in classroom routines and procedures. Incorporate assessments to gain knowledge of their current instructional level.

Some days you may not get to every activity.  Save those activities for days where you have extra time.

While planning for your lesson plans, think of the resources that you will need for the activities and organize those as well. Simple activities for the first weeks of school are golden.

Tip: Plan, Plan, and Plan! Include community-building activities, ice breakers, and lots of getting-to-know-you activities in your lesson plans.

Establish consistent procedures and routines

Establishing clear and consistent procedures and routines is just as important as having an organized classroom and lesson plans.  In fact, I believe that if you don’t have consistent routines and procedures, you will not be able to consistently teach due to disruptions which can lead to overall chaos.

By implementing clear and predictable procedures for everything from entering the classroom to transitioning between instructional activities, you can maximize your instructional time which is something that we can never have enough of as educators.

Mama Teaches discusses 10 practical classroom procedures to teach on the first day!

When introducing and teaching your procedures and routines provide classroom examples and non-examples.  Be sure to model each procedure as well so that they truly understand your expectations as the classroom teacher.

Prioritize Self-Care and Work-Life Balance

Lastly, don’t forget to create a work-life balance.  As someone who enjoys working, this area is hard for me but necessary. Teachers often devote so much time and energy to their work that they forget to prioritize their own well-being. However, it’s essential to focus on self-care and work-life balance in order to avoid burnout.

Whether you enjoy exercising, incorporating healthy eating habits, shopping, reading, or meditation, find an outlet that will allow you to reduce your stress.

Designate and organize time to truly unplug and complete these activities.  By prioritizing self-care and work-life balance, you can help prevent the dreaded word burnout. This, in turn, will allow you to be more organized and present with your students.

Final Thoughts For Classroom Organization Tips 

Starting a new school year can be stressful but implementing classroom organization tips can help reduce stress and create a positive learning environment for both you and your students.

By decluttering your classroom, creating zones, organizing your physical space, implementing storage tools, preparing lesson plans, establishing classroom management, and prioritizing self-care, you can get ahead of the game and set yourself up for a successful school year.

Remember to ask for help when needed and prioritize self-care and work-life balance, as these are crucial to maintaining a positive and productive classroom. As the saying goes, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Take time to organize your classroom and get ahead of the game. Your students will thank you for it!

I would love to hear your classroom organization tips in the comments!

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