Seeing as the summer holidays are still very much in full swing, the thought of returning to school is bound to be at the back of your mind. However, every teacher knows that September will roll around sooner rather than later.
So, to prevent any last-minute panicking and to ensure you’re as fully prepared as possible, here are 6 planning tips for September readiness.
Even if you don’t know your class or timetable yet, the following advice will undoubtedly stand you in good stead, give your pupils a head start, and help you enjoy the rest of your holiday.
- Take a look over your curriculum
Instead of starting at the beginning of the curriculum you’re teaching from, take a look at some of the aims your group or class should be aiming to achieve by the end of the year.
This will make it much easier to plan content and prepare lessons, which are not only fun but also useful and valuable to students.
- Check your calendar of the year for important events
Are there any parents’ evenings planned for when you return? Is there a school trip that requires a risk assessment? And what are your school’s term and holiday dates?
Make sure you plan your time in advance to avoid any unfortunate oversights or omissions. An organised calendar will make teaching life much less stressful.
- Order supplies such as stationery
It’s amazing how many teachers forget, underestimate, or overlook the ordering of supplies, especially stationery. This is particularly important if you’re starting at a new school, as fumbling around in search of pencils isn’t a good look.
Try to find out how much of a budget you’ve got to spend, what supplies you’re actually responsible for, and whether the classroom is lacking anything of importance.
- Make sure you’re aware of policy changes
School policies tend to change over time, which often calls on teachers to adapt their own way of doing things.
Therefore, to avoid starting off on the wrong foot and potentially getting certain decisions wrong, brush up on any policy changes, which can relate to anything from behaviour to homework.
- Know what you’ll teach in the first week
The first week of school is a great opportunity to set yourself up for the rest of the year and get students on your side straightaway.
You won’t be getting into the nitty gritty of the curriculum just yet, but feeling confident in your ability to deliver interesting, informative, and enjoyable lessons is crucial for future success.
- Research your new class
Use every avenue available to research your new class, as this will make it so much easier to plan grouping and timetables.
Are there any pupils that will need extra support or intervention? Who are the potential trouble makers and star students? While everyone deserves to start on a equal footing, a deeper understanding of your class will be extremely advantageous in the future.