Summer break is sacred. It’s for sleeping in, eating popsicles before noon, and pretending your email doesn’t exist. But… if I spend all summer pretending school doesn’t exist, I pay for it come August.
By “pay for it,” I mean: I start the school year already feeling behind, my lesson plans are living in chaos, and my stress level skyrockets faster than a baking soda volcano.
Over the years, I’ve learned a sneaky little secret: if I prep just a few key things over summer, I can enjoy my break and start the year without a dumpster fire blazing in my classroom.
Here’s what I focus on:
1. My First Two Weeks of Lesson Plans
I’m not mapping out the whole year in July (I’m not a masochist). But I do make sure my first two weeks are planned, copied, and ready to roll.
This means:
- Bell ringers and warm-ups printed or prepped
- A couple of low-stress, high-engagement activities to hook students
- Simple lab or demo that works out the “we’re not ready for Bunsen burners yet” jitters
When the first weeks are ready to go, I can focus on learning names, building routines, and finding out who already thinks they’re the class comedian.
2. My Classroom Systems
Classroom management isn’t just about rules… it’s about systems. If you don’t figure them out before students walk in, they’ll figure them out for you… and you probably won’t like their version.
I set up:
- A Week-at-a-Glance board with daily topics, labs, and important dates
- A spot for students to turn in work (and a plan for what happens if it’s late)
- A supply station so I’m not passing out scissors 87 times a day
These systems save my sanity and kill the “Wait, what are we doing today?” questions before they even start.
3. My Teacher “Command Center”
It sounds fancy, but it’s basically my desk and files—organized enough so I can actually find things during those chaotic first weeks.
This includes:
- Sub plans ready to go (because back-to-school germs are ruthless)
- A copy of my schedule, rosters, and passwords in one place
- A bin for “things I don’t have time to deal with right now”
When my command center is set, I’m less likely to spiral when unexpected chaos (inevitably) hits.
The Bottom Line:
I’m not spending my summer laminating 500 task cards or rearranging my furniture nine times. I’m doing three simple things that buy me peace of mind in August.
Because here’s the truth: when you start the year calm and prepared, the vibe stays better for you and your students.
And that’s worth a couple hours of summer prep.
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