(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

It's a time of year when the to-do lists start to grow and it can be difficult to get back into school mode. This checklist below might make it that bit easier to start organising a few bits for September.

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1. Folders/Dividers

I always try to have my folders (not usually with much in them!) ready before the school year begins. Generally, I have a Planning Folder, Assessment Folder and a General Class file one too. I have a free set of dividers available in my TpT store.

Folder Headings

2. Timetable

While sometimes it can be difficult to have a finalised timetable (until you find out P.E. times, times when support teachers may be coming into your class or taking children out), it is useful to have a rough timetable ready before returning.

3. Your Desk

My desk usually doesn't stay clean for very long, but heading back is always a good time to get it organised/cleared out.  I always keep a copy of my timetable and a jar for pens/stampers on it.
I also have a tray to store sheet & handouts we are currently working on.
These are some cute storage boxes I purchased in Tiger for my desk.

4. Bulletin Boards/Classroom Labels

I usually don't put up too much before the school year starts but there are some things that will stay up for the whole year, such as labels, your name on the door, classroom rules etc.
Even having them downloaded and ready to print is useful.

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For Irish teachers, I have a Gaeilge version of classroom signs available here.

5. Classroom Organisation

Have you got enough chairs/tables in your room? Are they organised in groups/rows? I often change the table arrangement as the year progresses as it often depends on the particular class and the age group.


I have set up a back to School section of my TpT store which might have some useful rewards, posters and activities to start off the new year! :)

Back to School Resources

Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

  

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

1. Timetable bathroom breaks

Gone is the luxury of popping into the loo when you need to. You have 30 seconds to get to the bathroom before you photocopy those handouts, make a coffee and get back to class before the bell goes! (If you are super fast, you might even get a quick bite of your lunch...)

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2. 'Teacher Clothes' make a comeback

It's time to root out the 'Yard Duty' coat and find all the 'teachery' clothes that have been thrown to the back of your wardrobe for the last few months. Gone are the comfy PJ's, slippers and tracksuits.

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3. Alarm Clock

Unfortunately, it's time to find and reset the dreaded alarm clock, adding in 5 or 6 extra wake up calls for the first day back for fear of sleeping in (if you manage to sleep at all!).

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4. Lunchtime

Lunch doesn't seem as exciting as it did during the summer. The task of trying to find a lunchbox and lid that match from the mountain of lunchboxes in your cupboard begins.  When the enthusiasm of creating interesting lunched wears off, you probably won't want to see a sandwich for the rest of the term!  On the plus side, heading out for lunch at the weekend becomes a novelty again!

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5. Attempt to reset your body clock

Gone are the boxset binges on Netflix into the early hours and morning lie ins. It's time to attempt to go to bed early...shouldn't be a problem after the first day back!

6. Stock up on red pens

To feel somewhat organised and ready for the new year, bundles of red pens are a necessity! By the end of the first week, you'll be lucky if most of them haven't disappeared from your desk.

7. Shopping List

Returning to school means you need to be organised. Here's a help with your weekly shopping list: wine, chocolate, laminating pouches, crisps...

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8. The most important one of all.....

Once you have ticked all of the checklist above, set yourself a countdown to the midterm break! :)

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Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

Primary Teaching Bloggers Ireland Blog Hop

As you may have seen, some of us Irish bloggers have decided to link up to do a blog hop! This a way to help share good ideas and resources for teachers. Click on the image below to find links to other interesting blogs!

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So a bit about me and my blog...

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and your teaching experience:

I'm Róisín, a primary school teacher from Galway. I hav been teaching for the the past four years in a large rural school in Co. Galway and am moving to a new school in September after being lucky enough to secure a permanent post.


What class level are your resources/ideas aimed at?

It varies a bit as I have worked in a variety of roles over the past four years. Primarily, I have worked in the Senior Classes (5th/6th) so the majority of my resoucres are tailored to this age group.  I have also worked as a Learning Support/Resource Teacher so I have been involved in most class levels over the past few years.


What made you want to start blogging?

I set up a Facebook page last summer as a place to share ideas. The main area I felt resources were lacking were for Gaeilge so I decided to start sharing the resources I had made for my own classroom. I only decided to commit to starting a blog a few week ago after many attempts previously!  The main reason is to be able to describe ideas/resources in more depth which can be more difficult on Facebook. My good friend from A Crucial Week made it look easy and helped me to get started!

Would you advise other Irish teachers to start a blog?

Yes, if you are interested in sharing your ideas or resources! While it can take a bit of time to get set up, it is great to have more Irish blogs that are applicable to our Curriculum.


What's your favourite free resource that you have shared?

My favourite free resource are these folder headings as they can be used for Teaching Practice, the dreaded Dip or for any class teacher really!

What's your favourite paid resource that you have shared?

My favourite paid resource is probably the Mo Scoil Poster Set as it is the type of resource that you can use all year round. I leave up most of the flashcards (clog, seilf etc.) and posters for the school year. 

Gaeilge Display Board (Year Round Resources)

Gaeilge is one of my favourite subjects to teach but one of the biggest challenges I find is having interesting and appealing resources to inspire the children. As a result, I generally make a lot of my own Gaeilge resources for my classroom.

Below I have listed some resources that I keep on my Gaeilge display board all year round. I then supplement it fortnightly with relevant flashcards & vocabulary for each Gaeilge theme.

1. Na Míonna

2. Laethanta na Seachtaine

3. Ceisteanna by A Crucial Week
These are very useful when doing comprehension questions as the picture cues help to remind the children of the type of question.

4. Seanfhocail
In our school, the children learn one seanfhocal per week. We sometimes integrate Gaeilge with Art at the end of the week to create illustrations for each seanfhocal.


5. 10 Téamaí headings
These posters can be used on your Gaeilge display board for each of the 10 Gaeilge themes you are teaching.

Welcome to Ms. Forde's Classroom!

I have finally decided to set up a blog to add to my Facebook page Ms. Forde's Classroom
For those not familair with Ms. Forde's Classroom, I am an Irish Primary School teacher. I have spent the past few years working in a large rural school teaching a combination of Learning Support/Resource and the Senior classes (5th/6th).

I hope to add some lesson ideas and resources over the next few months as I start in a new school in September. :)