1. The first thing I do is take pictures of the things I liked in my room this year (things I made with students, areas of the room, charts/anchor charts, etc). Throughout the year, I take pictures of work samples and anchor charts so I can file them with specific topics/themes to refer to next year.
2. I also take pictures of things/areas that need a makeover or special attention. Then I can rethink/reorganize and plan over the summer.
3. I set at least 2 personal teaching goals for the following year.
4. I keep a "summer bin" near my desk of all the professional reading I want to do over the summer. During the last few weeks of school, I fill it with books that are related to my new goals.
5. I keep an end of the year to-do list in my "pink book". It's just a lined journal that I use as my never ending to-do list. There is something so rewarding about making a cute little check mark next to each completed task.
6. I keep a beginning of the year to-do list in the same "pink book", so I don't forget important things that I want to do at the beginning of the next year. Oh, how I love my pink book!
7. I almost always send a parent questionnaire about the school year. Feedback is good for me (most of the time).
8. During the last couple days, my students help me "clean" our bins, plastic manipulatives and chairs. We use shaving cream (Barbasol). It takes off glue and other mystery substances in a snap and the kids have so much fun! After everything is covered and scrubbed with shaving cream, we carry it all outside to spray it with the hose. A little bit of sunshine dries everything and I'm ready to pack it up.
9. I also keep a list of things to look for/buy over the summer (books, center supplies, new math manipulatives, etc.).
10. Finally, I take home any evidence of my Dt. Dew addiction and enjoy the summer!
How do you prepare for the next year as we work our way through the last few weeks of school? Be sure to link up with Time4Kindergarten.
Love #2! I always forget stuff during the summer!
ReplyDeleteI love them all, but #8 is super. That's a great way to get the kids involved in cleaning up without using so many cleaners.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about next year too!! I am currently in K and get to loop with my class next year to 1st! I've done this once before and love it! I stocked up on goodies during the TpT sale and I've been looking at archives of 1st grade blogs. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one with a diet dew obsession :)
Thanks for joining my Linky Party- I love the shaving cream idea. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteTiffani
Time 4 Kindergarten
Hey! Would you mind sharing your parent survey? I would love to try that this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Marcy
marcy.colwell@k12.sd.us
I think you are very brave for doing a parent survey!!! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am also making a list of things that I need to get for the beginning of the school year and will start making/gathering items now. I am planning on ordering a subscription to "Your Big Backyard" - great for teaching writing... so much to do and so little time :-) I have some of this posted on my blog if anyone is interested.
ReplyDeletePrimary Connections