End of the Year Organizing

Hello friends,

As the end of the year approaches, there are 5 things that I do to prepare for next year.

1. I plan the content of my classroom procedures and routines. At the end of the year, I choose which procedures and signals to teach during the first week. I plan lessons for students to practice with different activities. Read about how I plan my routines here.
2. I create a list of things I’ll need to do in August. The end of the year can be a crazy time! In the fall, I know I won’t remember it all -you know those new ideas you want to try or that never ending list of student prep for the first week? So, I start a list on my computer calendar. I try to organize it into a few main categories: student items to prep; volunteer or assistant tasks to do; batch copies to be made; and plans for my walls and bulletin boards. When I return for in-service week, the list will be there so I can add to it.
3. I take inventory of my school supplies. Our Parent Council provides us with our school supplies-I know we are so blessed! At the end of the year, I organize and count up the crayons, pencils and folders so I know how many I need to request from our awesome Parent Council. One item I always request is a pencil pouch. I use this for my favorite strategy-THE GREAT PENCIL CHALLENGE. Read all about it here.
4. I create a back to school box. I put everything I will need to start the first week. I put my lesson plans (including any copies), student nametags, read alouds, math games, bulletin board supplies and anything else I will need in the first few days. I put it all in one place so I can find everything, instead of searching in several different places.
5. Ponder and Polish-This strategy I have found so helpful in providing closure for the end of the year while thinking about how I can grow as an educator. First of all, I ponder or reflect on the challenges from the year. You know that bookshelf that was ignored in the corner or that procedure that wasn’t implemented consistently? (I can’t be the only one that had good intentions but not always good results?) I also try to polish my strategies and knowledge to help me improve my instruction for next year. I created a form to organize ideas to try, strategies to research or routines I want to implement. Get your FREE ponder and polish form here.
6. BONUS TIP——-Finally, I Let It Go! (yes you can start singing). After my last official day, I walk away and I don’t plan, read or (try not to) think about school for at least 2 weeks. I turn off teaching-related social media notifications on my phone. I binge watch, stay up late, sleep in and read best sellers. For me, when I take a break from thinking about school, I feel more energized when I do need to start planning.

I hope that these end of the year tips help you get organized so you relax and rejuvenate!