What makes the crock-pot one of the best kitchen inventions?

It’s the fact that you can prep ahead of time, set it, and then forget it. You do the work early on, and then you don’t have to think about it as you go about your day. Then, once dinner time rolls around, all you have to do is grab a fork!

You can do the same when it comes to planning for a new school year, too. Spend some time early on planning and mapping out curriculum and systems that will serve you the whole school year.

In this episode, I’m talking all about the things that you can do NOW (before the school year starts) so that you don’t have to spend time, or even THINK about it once the school year begins.

Highlights from the Episode:

(Timestamps Shown)

• Why spending time during the summer to curriculum map out your year can reap huge rewards later on in the school year, AND the biggest hurdle teachers have when it comes to curriculum mapping (4:46)

• Plan and prep your Back to School activities during the summer (7:51):

  • plans activities for students to complete independently when they first arrive on the first day of school

  • plans activities to keep students moving and action

  • plan activities to help build classroom community

  • plan a craft or project for students to complete that will double as an open house display

• Tips for choosing your first class read-aloud (12:52)

• Developing a plan for teaching routines and procedures (13:58)

  • routines and procedures for behavioral expectations

  • routines and procedures for student work periods

  • routines and procedures for working with classroom supplies and materials

  • routines and procedures for transitioning and moving from one activity to another

• Classroom systems to prep now for smooth sailing the rest of the year (18:28)

  • prep a class set of birthday gifts

  • prep your system for easily communicating with parents (prep simple generic reminder slips)

  • prep some fast finisher activities to have on hand

  • prep your substitute tub and binder

  • prep your student data binder

Resources and Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Video tutorial: Getting into the Mindset of Curriculum Mapping

5 Chapter Books The Every Elementary Classroom Library Should Have

Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Classroom Library Collection

Setting Up Classroom Routines and Procedures

Set it and Forget it: Classroom Activities & Systems To Prep For Year-Long Use

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Transcript