back to school
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Buffalo Plaid Clipart
If you’ve read my post from Monday, then you know that I am feeling ALL the fall vibes. Working on this clipart set definitely added to that! Nothing says fall quite like buffalo plaid, so buffalo plaid school supplies felt like a natural fit. Now that these cuties are posted in both my TPT and Etsy shops, I’m giving myself full permission to lean into all things autumn – you should too (after you snap up this set of course)!
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Goodbye Summer!
I’m definitely looking forward to the structure of the school year (and I might be ready for pumpkin spice season…), but it’s always hard to say goodbye to summer! I put together a really easy craftivity that you can use in the classroom to help children focus on the very best parts of their summer as you all move into fall together. It would be the perfect activity for a last day of summer party, just like the one I shared on Wednesday. Click HERE to download the Goodbye Summer Sunshine Freebie!
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Expectations for the first week of school
TPT shared this image on their instagram this week and it really stuck with me – probably because it’s exactly the kind of reminder that I always need during the first week. There’s so much pressure to jump back into a full-on routine and do all the things, but that’s not healthy for us as adults, and it can create a lot of stress for our students. Setting realistic expectations for the first week of school makes such a difference! I’m a planner, you know that, so for me this looks like getting out my calendar and really assessing what each day will look like and what I can actually…
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How I prepare for back to school
The majority of my time in the classroom has been with year-round programs, so back to school season has always been more of a mindset than an actual period of time. In my experience, shifting from summer to “back to school” involves a lot of emphasis on routines (see Monday’s post!), classroom environment, and welcoming new families. Here are some of the things that I do to transition my mindset and refocus for the school year: What helps you get in the back to school mindset?
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Back to school, back to a routine!
We had a whirlwind week at our county fair last week, all work and routines were thrown out the window! Now we’re home, getting all of the laundry done and SO READY to get back into a routine as we prep to head back to school. We still have a month before my daughter’s first day, but it’s never to early to start easing into those daily rituals that are part of the school year. If you’re teaching, helping a group of preschoolers ease into the school year, or preparing your own children for this schedule shift, here are some tips to make this transition a little easier! We’re personally…
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Back to school on Amazon
My all-time-favorite thing about prepping for back to school is shopping for supplies! While no one loves spending that money, having new materials to start fresh with is the absolute best. Here are my Amazon back to school must-haves if you’re looking to add to your own cart (all links are affiliates, I receive a portion of sales from these): I cannot get enough of these zip pouches! I use them for everything from travel to organizing paperwork. In the classroom there are so many potential uses – giving each child one to use as a mailboxes, organizing extra clothes, separating seasonal sensory materials, sending home activities or paperwork that…
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A freebie for you!
I’ve added a new freebie for you! This backpack name activity is from the Month of Preschool set for August. It’s such a cute, easy way to celebrate being back in the classroom, while also practicing an essential preschool skill – name recognition and writing. Doing this project can also be an excellent opportunity for assessment. You’ll get to observe how children hold crayons or markers, their writing skills, what letters they recognize, how well they already know their name, and if they can use scissors. It might take some time and patience, especially if you’re working with a group that is brand new to preschool. The information that you’re…
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It’s that time…
Summer is as much a mindset as it is an actual period of time. It’s always about this time of year that the mindset starts to shift away from carefree sunny days and towards preparing for the next school year. While I may not always be excited to see summer go, Making the most of this opportunity to set myself up for success in the coming year is also something that I enjoy (that’s how you know you’re a teacher). If you’re considering making some changes, updating your classroom procedures, or introducing new methods, then here are some of my past posts that might offer some inspiration. Happy back to…
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My favorite assessment products
Teachers Pay Teachers is having a back to school boost sale today! Usually when there is a sale I like to share what’s on my wishlist, along with some of my favorite products from my store. Since I already did that here and here, I thought I’d share my favorite assessment products so that you can see what I use. Infant/Toddler Portfolio Pack: This product includes portfolio pages based on Early Learning Development Standards for Infants and Toddlers. Portfolio pages cover the following domains; Cognitive skills and general knowledge (including math, science, and social studies), Language and Literacy, Social Emotional Development, Physical Motor Development, Approaches towards learning (initiative, curiosity, etc.),…
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Building Friendships in the Preschool Classroom
For a preschooler, the scariest thing about starting school can be not knowing who you’re going to play with. It’s a very real fear that can cause a lot of anxiety for little ones. This is why I spend so much time throughout the year encouraging children to continue getting to know each other and making sure that they work with people that they may not have chosen to work with on their own. I like to start by helping the children find common interests. We talk about the kinds of toys they enjoy playing with, sports or activities that they participate in, television shows that they like to watch,…
