10 To-Do's for Teachers 2 weeks Before Middle School

As the excitement of a new school year approaches, us teachers are gearing up to welcome our new middle school students. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a first year, it’s essential to be prepared for the hustle that comes with a fresh year. Here are 10 things to do 2 weeks before students enter your classroom.

1. Set Up Your Classroom for Functionality

Sit in your classroom and imagine 30 students coming in. Think about how students will enter the classroom, what they need to grab, what do they need to turn in, and What they need to see. Look at your desks and imagine 30 bodies in the seats, can students (and you) easily access all areas of the room? Is there enough room for their backpacks? Sometimes functionality isn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing, but it’s essential for a smooth start to class.

2. Revamp Bulletin Boards and Classroom Posters

Give your bulletin boards and classroom posters a fresh look. This not only makes your room inviting but also sets a positive tone for learning. I personally love word walls in my classroom, they provide support and visuals for students. I'll change out the word wall with each new unit, so my posters are never stale!

3. Set Up a Paper System

Decide where and how students will turn in their papers. Decide where and how you will organize your graded papers and printed copies for the week. Make sure you have a quick-access spot for things which you'll need to grab often. I know my students are always needing to make up weekly quizzes, and I need quick access to answer keys. both of these things are in specific folders for easy access.

Unit binders house my original copies and answer keys. It makes printing every week and year a breeze.

4. Set Up Your Digital System

Find a way to organize your digital folders. I personally organize my 7th grade science resources and lesssons by unit and week, housing all resources for each week in the appropriate unit folder. Speaking of folders, make sure you take time to create organized folders for your students on your LMS so students (and their parents) can easily access missed work and clas updates. This pre-planning will save you time and stress once the school year starts

5. Put Important Dates in Your Calendar

Whether you decide to use a digital planner or keep it old school with a paper planner, make sure to add important dates to your calendars. Download (and print) your district and grade /subject pacing calendars. Add days off, PD days, holiday breaks, as well as end of unit tests, when progress and report cards are going out, testing, etc!

6. Complete Required Yearly Trainings

Get your yearly trainings done sooner rather than later so they don’t sneak up on you. My district has yearly cyber security trainings as well as our science safety trainings.

7. Organize Student Accommodations (504s)

Create a spredsheet for a quick reference listing student, class period, and accommodations. I personally keep a digital folder with all student forms as well as a printed out copy in a binder.

8. Organize Student Behavior Documentation

Keep a binder for referrals and behavior notes by class period. The first thing I learned as a new teacher was to document EVERYTHING. It’s crucial for tracking and addressing student behavior effectively.

9. Plan the First 3 Weeks of Lessons

Having your first three weeks of lessons planned will free your mind to focus on getting to know your new students. You’ll come across as calm and collected, making a great first impression.

Two of my favorite back to school get to know you activities. "Find someone who" ice breaker and "Croc about me"

10. Prepare a Substitute Teacher Folder

Unforeseen emergencies happen to all of us. Having a substitute folder ready to go takes the stress off you, your team, and your substitute! Include everything they need to know about your class and essential routines.

Bonus: Prepare Emergency Protocols Even if your school provides an emergency protocol binder, think about how each emergency would look in your specific areas. For example, if there’s a tornado, where exactly are your students going?

Taking care of these tasks will help you start the school year on a strong note. Good luck, and happy teaching!

Need to know what to do days before the first day of school? Check back in a week and see the comprehensive list to get you ready!