If you’re a new teacher, the thought of starting the school year may bring excitement mingled with anxiety. You may wonder if your classroom is set up correctly and if you have all the supplies you need.
There’s a lot to do, but planning and organization can help you and your students start the year strong. This back-to-school checklist covers everything you need to create an organized, engaging space for students.
Learn More About the School and Your Students
New teachers often ask, “What do I need for my first day of teaching?” Before the school year starts, try to create a binder with the information you’ll need. You can also create files for your students. Include the following:
- Schedules
- The school’s main phone number and mailing address
- List of phone extensions
- School policies
- School district calendar
- Professional Learning Community (PLC) or department meeting schedule
- Student files
- Index cards for each student, including parents’ contact information, student’s contact information, address, and birthday
Supplies that can help you here include:
Create a Classroom Layout
Your classroom’s design affects how your students learn and how you teach. Some setups can encourage students to collaborate or engage more with the class. Traditional auditorium-style seating, with all desks facing the front, makes students less likely to participate in class discussions.
You might change the layout or move students around as the school year progresses. Try to separate students who talk to each other all day. Consider moving a child to the front who has trouble staying focused.
Below are three common classroom designs. Sketch a scale model of your classroom to determine which layout may work with your furnishings and room size.
- Paired layout: This layout resembles a traditional classroom. Desks are in rows facing the front, but pairs of desks are pushed together. This layout can make it easier for students to collaborate on assignments. You can move the desks apart when it’s time to work individually.
- Flex seating: Students who struggle to sit on a chair and concentrate at a standard desk might do better with other options. These can include sitting on stability balls, wobble chairs, bean bag chairs, or using a stand-up desk. Students can choose the seat that works best for them; however, this option works only if your school can afford to buy a variety of seating.
- Circle seating: In this layout, students’ desks form a half-circle facing the front of the classroom. The teacher can stand in the middle of the circle and see all the students or walk up to the desk to see their work.
Supplies that can help you here include:
Clean Your Classroom
Although custodial staff clean the classrooms, you may want to keep your own cleaning supplies to clean up mishaps and wipe down surfaces in high-traffic areas. However, students should not use disinfectants, including disinfecting wipes, since the chemicals can irritate their skin.
You can equip your classroom with:
Decorate Your Classroom
Make your classroom a welcoming space with decorations. Create colorful bulletin boards and add posters and student art. Consider making a calendar for the classroom. You can decorate the door to your classroom and make a birthday chart. Try to display maps and have students identify places they are learning about.
Supplies that can help you include:
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