Inside This Week’s Episode: It’s back to school season! Teachers everywhere are creating their To-Do lists and getting ready to welcome students back to the classroom. However, here are a few things to leave OFF your checklist!

It’s Back to School Time!

I am a self-proclaimed back to school junkie. I love everything about it.

The back to school planning. Decorating my classroom. All of it.

No sooner did a school year end before the wheels were already turning in my head for what that first day of school would look like. (I know, a little annoying, right? I can’t help it..)

There is so much to prep and plan for that first day back, and all across America the To-Do checklists are being created and ticked off as we speak (it’s like music to my ears!).

However before you get too caught up in everything you want to DO as you’re planning for the first day of school, today’s episode is all about what NOT to do on the first day of school.

Leave THESE Off Your First Day ‘To-Do’ List:

Here’s a Snapshot:

• DON’T wait until the first day of school to reach out and connect with your students and their families. I’ll share 3 simple ways you can create a touch point between you and your students before they return to school.

• DON’T let students choose their own seats on the first day of school. I’ll tell you WHY this is a mistake that you’ll want to avoid.

• DON’T have students just sit at their seats as they arrive. I’ve got a better solution for what you can do with your students as they trickle in to make those first few moments more purposeful. (plus: I’m sharing an easy hack that that will turn these first few moments into an open house time-saver!)

• DON’T skip your routines and procedures! I’m sharing why establishing your routines and procedures just might be the most important thing you do on the first day of school!

• DON’T have students sit in their seats all day! Plan to get your students up and moving with some low-prep, meaningful activities. (I’ve got a few ideas and suggestions!)

• DON’T make the first day of school just a “Fun” day. Day one should serve a purpose.

• DON’T use the first day as a time to pass out textbooks and materials one by one. It’s BORING and a HUGE time waster. I’ll share some ways to be more efficient and effective with your time.

• DON’T wing it. Day one sets the tone for the school year. Be sure you’re setting the right tone.

Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode

POST: Establishing Routines & Procedures (Plus, grab a free routines and procedures guide for the elementary classroom!)

RESOURCE: First Day of School Toolkit

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