Back To School Checklist for Preschool Teachers

This is your back to school checklist. Every teacher or homeschooling parent will have a slightly different list, but these are my must-do items before I can welcome my students into my classroom in September, yes we start late way up here in the PNW. As I prep for the new school year, I wanted to help you check these items off your list. Even if you haven’t read my blog all summer, I got you covered!

 

 

1. Back to School Clothes.

I am starting with the fun stuff. I created a Back To School Style Guide for teachers with rad washable and affordable clothes you can find online. My other favorite places to shop for teacher clothes? Target and Old Navy… when I am home visiting in Canada Superstore’s Joe Fresh Section gets a good amount of my money too.

 

 

Check out the style guide here 

 

 

2. Lesson Planning.

I jot down notes on my class calendar and teacher planner all year about lessons that flopped, materials I wish I had to improve a lesson or thematic unit, and then about a month before school starts I use that info to plan. Most of my curriculum is emergent, but I have a basic outline with themes and a vast toolbox of ideas. Once I know my students their inquiry and interests guides which tools I take out of that toolbox day to day.

One thing I rely on to fill that toolbox are my Build Thematic Units – they are printable, perfect sub plans, and provide great ideas for all kinds of themes. Get 25% off any purchase with code FALL19

Find it and all my other digital products in my teacher store –> TEACHER STORE

 

 

3. Class Materials & Books 

If you get a budget for new classroom materials, let me help you find the very best for your classroom. This is what I got for my class this year –> New Stuff!
I was so excited to share my new stuff with my fellow teachers today when I popped in to set up my classroom. Click through and see why these new materials are so rad!

Here are my MUST HAVE BOOKS for preschool. 

There are many more books out there, but that list is packed with the books I use over and over.

4. Working on the art of teaching. 

Teaching young children is demanding, and one of my greatest passions is to help other teachers work on their skills. I’ve chosen a few quick-read articles for you, and of course, you can dive in deeper and take my FREE Peaceful Preschool Classroom Course via email too! 

How To Get Preschoolers To Behave At School 
Throw Away Your Sticker Charts 
How To Talk To Parents About Disruptive Behavior 
Peer Scaffolding at Preschool 
Growth Mindset in Preschool 
Peaceful Preschool Classroom – FREE e-course

5. Take a Break Before School Starts or spend your first few weekends learning how to make space for you.  

Self-care gets a bad rap in pop culture, it’s become a buzzword, but it’s a real thing that is vital for teachers. Check out my post about it here and if you have time to dive deeper – check out my self-care challenge. I’ve gotten incredible feedback from teachers who took it this summer and have said that they feel calm and ready for the school year in large part because of this course.

I hope this school year is rewarding and fun!