5 Tips for Getting Organized for the Next School Year

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommy teachers and to all the teachers called “mom” or, even, “grandma” at one time! Here in South Carolina, we are down to the last 3-4 weeks of school and the closeout checklists have come out from admin. That makes it the time to start thinking about and getting organized to make the start of the next school year a bit smoother.

Now, I get it that you are busy with end of year tasks, but, trust me, when the beginning of the new year comes around you’ll be glad you took the time to do these things now. I, also, know that all teachers curcumstances are different, as to whether you are changing schools, positions, or you may not even know what is going to happen. These tips are for any situation.

Tip #1

Wait to make any major changes to the scenery of your classroom until the last day of school or the students have left. I know if you are an upper grade teacher you will, most likely, have to take down or at the very least cover some things during state testing. Obviously, do what’s required, but, otherwise, wait. This will disrupt the routine of your students, which will, typically, make behaviors worse in your classroom. You want your students following expectations until the last day.

Tip #2

Start with filing. Sort and put away any lesson materials and plans to whatever filing system you use. I have a crate with hanging files where I put my created lessons and master copies. I definitely get behind putting those sheets away during the year, so now with lesson planning done, I focus on putting those sheets away where they belong. Then, I can find them for use next year that much easier. In case you’re wondering my files are labeled by subject area sorted into file folders for whole group, small group, and independent work/homework. I, also, keep separate files for beginning of the year, end of the year, and holidays. Furthermore, I have files in another small filing cabinet for notes sent home, school meetings, and classroom data.

Tip #3

Begin recycling what you don’t need for the next year. Textbooks from students who have moved, worksheets I didn’t like the end result, outdated copies of notes sent home etc. Wait until after the last day of school to recycle forms pertaining to the students, unless required to keep them.

Tip #4

Sort and clean out your classroom library. Weed out damaged and outdated books. Repair or throw out damaged books. Give away outdated books to your students to take home. Decide what you want your library to look like next year. This will depend on the grade level, the school, and your personal perference for your students’ use. Books can be sorted by genre, topics, leveled, etc. If you’re packing up to move classrooms or schools, make your best guess and pack them the way you think you will organize them.

Tip #5

Take a GOOD look in your cabinets, drawers, and on your shelves! Again, if you’re changing schools or classrooms, you will be doing this anyway, but even if you’re not, do it. Every year I take the time to really go through my cabinets, drawers, and shelves to get rid of items I do not need and make sure they are organized in a way that makes sense to me. Organize in the way that makes sense to you: by subject area, time of year you use the material, reusable/needs replenished…those are just a few ways I have seen or used.

Teachers, by nature, are pack rats. We keep everything because we might need it someday. I have the same problem. But the truth is we don’t need to keep EVERYTHING. All the broken crayons because we might make new crayons, throw them away. There will be broken crayons next year. All the borders and posters. Give some to the new teacher to use. Part with what you can. It makes finding things easier and makes it easier to move if/when that’s warranted.

Furthermore, if you have space in your home and are changing grade levels, take home items that don’t apply to the grade level you are teaching in the upcoming year. If there is a chance you may teach that grade level at some point in the future, you probably will not want to get rid of some of those materials just yet.

A Last Note

I know these tips are not necessarily new information to most of you, but it can be difficult to know where to begin when organizing an overwhelming amount of materials. It is my hope that this list will give you a starting place. Rather than cleaning out and reorganizing a mess from the previous year, you will have more time to focus on important beginning of the year tasks!