1 00:00:01,020 --> 00:00:03,690 Heidi: This is episode 194 of Teacher Approved. 2 00:00:06,810 --> 00:00:09,750 You're listening to Teacher Approved, the podcast helping 3 00:00:09,750 --> 00:00:13,530 educators elevate what matters and simplify the rest. I'm 4 00:00:13,530 --> 00:00:14,040 Heidi. 5 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,430 Emily: And I'm Emily. We're the creators behind Second Story 6 00:00:17,430 --> 00:00:20,400 Window, where we give research based and teacher approved 7 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:23,010 strategies that make teaching less stressful and more 8 00:00:23,010 --> 00:00:26,430 effective. You can check out the show notes and resources from 9 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:28,290 each episode at secondstorywindow.net. 10 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,060 Heidi: We're so glad you're tuning in today. Let's get to 11 00:00:32,060 --> 00:00:32,600 the show. 12 00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:39,980 Emily: Hey friends, thanks for joining us today. In today's 13 00:00:39,980 --> 00:00:44,330 episode, we are sharing five smart ways you can prep for back 14 00:00:44,330 --> 00:00:48,200 to school this May, and we'll give you a teacher approved tip 15 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:50,990 to do something special for your teaching teammates. 16 00:00:51,650 --> 00:00:54,410 Heidi: Let's start with a try it tomorrow, where we share a quick 17 00:00:54,410 --> 00:00:57,050 win that you can try in your classroom right away. Emily, 18 00:00:57,050 --> 00:00:58,280 what is our prompt this week? 19 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:03,380 Emily: This week, why not try a morning meeting remix? Just take 20 00:01:03,380 --> 00:01:06,620 one element of your regular morning meeting routine and give 21 00:01:06,620 --> 00:01:08,270 it an unexpected twist. 22 00:01:08,660 --> 00:01:10,880 Heidi: I love this idea. It's especially helpful this time of 23 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,120 year when things might be feeling a little bit stale. So 24 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:16,820 if you usually do a standard greeting, you could try having 25 00:01:16,820 --> 00:01:19,910 your students greet each other with a compliment instead. Or 26 00:01:19,910 --> 00:01:22,820 try adding a quick new activity, nothing that's going to take a 27 00:01:22,820 --> 00:01:25,820 lot of work on your part, but something like a daily joke or a 28 00:01:25,820 --> 00:01:28,490 question of the day, or a would you rather of the day. 29 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,460 Emily: Oh, I love it. Small changes like this can really 30 00:01:31,460 --> 00:01:35,060 refresh your routine. It is all about that balance of routine 31 00:01:35,060 --> 00:01:37,910 and novelty that we talk about a lot here that helps keep 32 00:01:37,910 --> 00:01:41,840 students engaged. Your students will love surprises like this in 33 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:45,290 the middle of a daily routine, and it often just leads to more 34 00:01:45,290 --> 00:01:48,530 engagement during a time when energy is probably flagging. 35 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:52,280 Heidi: Plus, it's a no prep activity that still packs a big 36 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:56,000 impact. Just one small change can make the whole morning feel 37 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:56,630 fresh again. 38 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,780 Emily: If you like this idea or anything else we share here on 39 00:01:59,780 --> 00:02:03,080 the podcast, which you make our day by taking a second to give 40 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,170 us a five star rating and review on Apple podcasts. 41 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:10,250 Heidi: So today we are talking about five smart ways to get 42 00:02:10,250 --> 00:02:13,640 ahead on back to school prep while you are still in your 43 00:02:13,640 --> 00:02:17,060 classroom this May. I know some of you might be giving us the 44 00:02:17,060 --> 00:02:21,200 side eye right now, and that is totally justified, but hear us 45 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,950 out. In last week's episode, we talked about why May is actually 46 00:02:24,950 --> 00:02:27,860 the perfect time to start thinking ahead to next year. 47 00:02:28,410 --> 00:02:31,860 Emily: It really is. When you're still in the classroom, all 48 00:02:31,890 --> 00:02:34,800 those pain points are crystal clear. You still have your 49 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,740 classroom fully set up, and you can even test things out with 50 00:02:37,740 --> 00:02:40,620 your current students. Plus doing a little bit of planning 51 00:02:40,620 --> 00:02:44,970 now can seriously reduce your back to school panic later and 52 00:02:44,970 --> 00:02:48,180 lighten your summer mental load. And who does not want that? 53 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,600 Heidi: So today, we're getting super specific with five 54 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:55,440 actionable things that you can do right now in the month of May 55 00:02:55,770 --> 00:02:59,130 to set yourself up for success when you return in the fall. And 56 00:02:59,130 --> 00:03:02,070 none of these things will take hours after school. These are 57 00:03:02,070 --> 00:03:04,800 quick wins that will pay big dividends when August rolls 58 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:05,250 around. 59 00:03:05,790 --> 00:03:09,120 Emily: All right, let's dive into our first task for smart 60 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:11,850 back to school prep in May. What's up first, Heidi? 61 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:14,940 Heidi: Well, the first thing you can do in May for back to school 62 00:03:14,940 --> 00:03:18,870 is to save your old crayons, your markers and other supplies 63 00:03:19,050 --> 00:03:22,560 to use during the first week of school. This solves a problem 64 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:26,190 that drives me crazy every year. Students are using their brand 65 00:03:26,190 --> 00:03:28,920 new materials before they know how to care for them properly. 66 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:32,400 Especially if you have funded these materials yourself, there 67 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,490 is nothing sadder than watching a fresh box of crayons get 68 00:03:35,490 --> 00:03:39,090 demolished within like three days because you haven't had 69 00:03:39,090 --> 00:03:40,800 time to teach crayon procedures yet. 70 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:41,530 Emily: So before you send students home with their supply 71 00:03:41,530 --> 00:03:43,030 boxes at the end of the year, or before you toss out those half 72 00:03:43,300 --> 00:03:46,390 used items, set aside a collection of first week 73 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:55,060 supplies. So grab the stubby crayons, the markers that still 74 00:03:55,060 --> 00:03:57,880 work but aren't quite as vibrant, or those colored 75 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:01,060 pencils that are a bit shorter but still have life in them. 76 00:04:01,330 --> 00:04:03,970 Store these in a bin labeled first week supplies, and tuck 77 00:04:03,970 --> 00:04:05,080 them away for August. 78 00:04:05,530 --> 00:04:08,560 Heidi: When students arrive next year, they can use these good 79 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,860 enough supplies for all of the get to know you activities and 80 00:04:11,860 --> 00:04:15,460 the practice work before you teach your supply procedures and 81 00:04:15,460 --> 00:04:19,990 break out the fun, fresh, pretty new stuff. This saves all of 82 00:04:19,990 --> 00:04:23,170 those new supplies from getting destroyed, and it gives you 83 00:04:23,170 --> 00:04:25,990 something to use until you have time to teach those procedures. 84 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,260 Emily: And honestly, this little step takes almost no extra time. 85 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,320 You're just redirecting things you'd probably toss or send home 86 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:36,260 anyway, but it'll save you so much frustration in those first 87 00:04:36,260 --> 00:04:36,800 days back. 88 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:39,660 Heidi: And you might even want to save some supplies that are 89 00:04:39,660 --> 00:04:43,110 in really bad shape, like a couple of dried out glue sticks 90 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:46,080 or the whiteboard markers that have the tips jammed inside. 91 00:04:46,380 --> 00:04:50,400 Emily: Yeah why do kids always do that? But hold on to a few, 92 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,790 because those really beat up supplies are the perfect bad 93 00:04:53,790 --> 00:04:57,000 examples to show when you do your procedure lessons, 94 00:04:57,180 --> 00:05:00,210 especially if you use the Guided Discovery method that we love. 95 00:05:00,540 --> 00:05:04,230 We will put a link to our Guided Discovery for school supplies in 96 00:05:04,230 --> 00:05:07,020 the show notes. If you don't have it, you're gonna want it. 97 00:05:07,530 --> 00:05:08,700 Okay, what's next, Heidi? 98 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,160 Heidi: Well the second thing you can do to get ready for back to 99 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,430 school is to set up a three bin system before you leave your 100 00:05:14,430 --> 00:05:17,640 classroom in May. This is such a game changer for staying 101 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,640 organized over the summer. Instead of having everything 102 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:24,120 jumbled together, or worse, scattered between school and 103 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,990 home, or maybe even school and home and your car, you create 104 00:05:27,990 --> 00:05:29,730 three distinct spaces for things. 105 00:05:30,180 --> 00:05:33,090 Emily: So bin number one is labeled summer working. This is 106 00:05:33,090 --> 00:05:36,990 for any material you actually plan to work on over the break. 107 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:40,680 That might be new curriculum to review, books you want to read, 108 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,890 or laminating you need to cut out. If you have goals for 109 00:05:43,890 --> 00:05:46,320 working in the summer, it's helpful to have your resources 110 00:05:46,350 --> 00:05:47,460 in one place. 111 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,320 Heidi: This is handy because if you have to pack up your room 112 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:53,980 before summer, like so many of us do, you're probably cramming 113 00:05:53,980 --> 00:05:57,400 stuff into any available space, and that means in the middle of 114 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,500 July, when you need your teacher's manual, you're going 115 00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:01,320 to have to dig it out. 116 00:06:01,840 --> 00:06:04,330 Emily: But if that manual is already in your bin, you're good 117 00:06:04,330 --> 00:06:07,840 to go. Just be honest with yourself about how much you're 118 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:12,640 really going to get done. If you know deep down that you are not 119 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,060 going to touch that vocabulary planning all summer, don't put 120 00:06:16,060 --> 00:06:18,760 it in the summer working bin. It's okay. Just accept it. 121 00:06:19,390 --> 00:06:22,210 Heidi: Bin number two is classroom setup. These are the 122 00:06:22,210 --> 00:06:25,090 things you'll need right away to set up your room, your favorite 123 00:06:25,090 --> 00:06:27,940 posters, your desk accessories, label maker, bulletin board 124 00:06:27,940 --> 00:06:29,620 supplies, all of that fun stuff. 125 00:06:30,280 --> 00:06:33,010 Emily: And sometimes we call this our need first box, because 126 00:06:33,010 --> 00:06:35,830 it has everything in it that you are going to need right away 127 00:06:35,830 --> 00:06:37,360 when you get back to your classroom. 128 00:06:38,140 --> 00:06:40,090 Heidi: And then bin number three, which might be my 129 00:06:40,090 --> 00:06:43,630 favorite is first week of school. This is everything 130 00:06:43,630 --> 00:06:46,630 you'll need specifically for those opening days. Your first 131 00:06:46,630 --> 00:06:49,330 week lesson plans, name tags, get to know your activities, 132 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,420 your favorite back to school read alouds, those save supplies 133 00:06:52,420 --> 00:06:55,450 that we just talked about, and materials for any special first 134 00:06:55,450 --> 00:06:56,710 aid traditions that you have. 135 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,690 Emily: I love this three bin system because it helps you 136 00:06:59,690 --> 00:07:03,020 prioritize. When you return in August, you know exactly what to 137 00:07:03,020 --> 00:07:06,650 unpack first. You're not digging through 15 random boxes trying 138 00:07:06,650 --> 00:07:09,620 to find your lunch schedule or your welcome letter. It also 139 00:07:09,620 --> 00:07:12,350 helps you be realistic about what you're actually going to 140 00:07:12,350 --> 00:07:13,550 accomplish over the summer. 141 00:07:14,090 --> 00:07:16,760 Heidi: To make this super easy, just grab three storage bins or 142 00:07:16,790 --> 00:07:20,120 even those large reusable shopping bags, label them 143 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,820 clearly and start sorting as you're cleaning up your 144 00:07:22,820 --> 00:07:25,940 classroom these last few weeks. This might take you, what, an 145 00:07:25,940 --> 00:07:28,880 extra 20 minutes now, but it's going to save you hours of 146 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:30,170 frustration in August. 147 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:32,090 Okay, Emily, what is next? 148 00:07:32,420 --> 00:07:35,510 Emily: Well, our third task for back to school is to prepare as 149 00:07:35,510 --> 00:07:38,960 many permanent displays as possible before you leave in 150 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:42,530 May. This is one of those work smarter, not harder, tips that 151 00:07:42,530 --> 00:07:45,860 can save you so much time. Look around your classroom right now 152 00:07:45,890 --> 00:07:49,490 and identify which displays stay relatively consistent year to 153 00:07:49,490 --> 00:07:53,600 year, things like your calendar area, alphabet displays, number 154 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:58,340 lines, classroom rules or values and your subject area reference 155 00:07:58,340 --> 00:08:01,850 charts. If these don't change much, why recreate them every 156 00:08:01,850 --> 00:08:02,510 single year? 157 00:08:03,290 --> 00:08:05,270 Heidi: If you can leave things up on your walls and bulletin 158 00:08:05,270 --> 00:08:09,320 boards, then absolutely do. Just take down what's related to this 159 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:12,650 year and leave up the rest. It's so nice if you can keep things 160 00:08:12,650 --> 00:08:15,590 up and already have your display ready for you to add your new 161 00:08:15,590 --> 00:08:18,530 kids names and birthdays and calendar items to next year. 162 00:08:19,220 --> 00:08:21,950 Emily: This will vary a lot by school. So if you're not sure 163 00:08:21,980 --> 00:08:25,070 how it is in your building, find out before you do any prep work 164 00:08:25,070 --> 00:08:28,250 for next year. But if you do unfortunately have to take 165 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:30,710 everything down, you can still work smarter. 166 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:34,910 Heidi: Yes, before you take everything down, take photos of 167 00:08:34,910 --> 00:08:37,730 how these areas are set up. You think you'll remember, you will 168 00:08:37,730 --> 00:08:41,180 not remember. Then carefully take down your core displays and 169 00:08:41,180 --> 00:08:45,620 store them flat in labeled folders or large envelopes. You 170 00:08:45,620 --> 00:08:48,230 could even go a step further and prepare new versions of any 171 00:08:48,230 --> 00:08:51,020 displays that are maybe looking a little bit beat up, a fresh 172 00:08:51,020 --> 00:08:54,110 alphabet line or a newly laminated set of calendar pieces 173 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:57,500 takes just a few minutes now, but can save you precious setup 174 00:08:57,500 --> 00:08:58,400 time in August. 175 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,420 Emily: May is the perfect time to evaluate which displays 176 00:09:02,420 --> 00:09:04,700 actually served you well this year and which ones just 177 00:09:04,700 --> 00:09:08,090 collected dust. Be strategic about what you want to keep for 178 00:09:08,090 --> 00:09:11,750 next year. One display that we're particularly fond of is 179 00:09:11,750 --> 00:09:14,570 our looking ahead, looking back, bulletin board. 180 00:09:15,020 --> 00:09:18,530 Heidi: I love this one so much. It's a special end of year 181 00:09:18,530 --> 00:09:22,670 activity that transitions beautifully into a beginning of 182 00:09:22,670 --> 00:09:26,330 the year display in the fall. So it is a two for one win. 183 00:09:26,750 --> 00:09:28,970 Emily: Yeah, this starts with your students reflecting on 184 00:09:28,970 --> 00:09:31,970 their favorite parts of the year. You put their memories up 185 00:09:31,970 --> 00:09:34,730 on your bulletin board or wall to enjoy for the rest of the 186 00:09:34,730 --> 00:09:37,760 year. But then after the year ends, or when you come back in 187 00:09:37,790 --> 00:09:40,640 August, you just switch out the title on the bulletin board. So 188 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:44,510 now, instead of saying looking back on second grade, it says, 189 00:09:44,690 --> 00:09:48,260 looking ahead to second grade. Now your bulletin board shows 190 00:09:48,260 --> 00:09:51,380 your new students some of the fun moments that await them in 191 00:09:51,380 --> 00:09:54,170 your class. If you're interested in trying this, it's available 192 00:09:54,170 --> 00:09:56,630 in our shop, and of course, we will link to that in the show 193 00:09:56,630 --> 00:09:57,110 notes. 194 00:09:57,710 --> 00:10:00,110 Heidi: Other displays to consider prepping now are your 195 00:10:00,110 --> 00:10:04,820 job chart, birthday display, class schedule and any behavior 196 00:10:04,820 --> 00:10:08,600 or incentive systems. Just a little time invested now means 197 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,800 these won't be on your August to do list. All right, Emily, what 198 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:13,430 is next? 199 00:10:13,910 --> 00:10:16,670 Emily: The fourth task you can do in May for back to school is 200 00:10:16,670 --> 00:10:20,420 to create a new student SOP, which stands for Standard 201 00:10:20,450 --> 00:10:24,050 Operating Procedure, and do it now, while your routines are 202 00:10:24,050 --> 00:10:25,220 fresh in your mind. 203 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:28,310 Heidi: Every teacher knows the mild panic of getting a new 204 00:10:28,310 --> 00:10:32,180 student, especially after those first crucial weeks when you 205 00:10:32,180 --> 00:10:34,640 have already taught all of your new procedures. 206 00:10:35,060 --> 00:10:37,610 Emily: And somehow those new students always seem to arrive 207 00:10:37,610 --> 00:10:41,630 at the most inconvenient times, like right before lunch, during 208 00:10:41,630 --> 00:10:44,990 a big class project, or, you know, 30 minutes after you 209 00:10:44,990 --> 00:10:45,800 started the school day. 210 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:50,560 Heidi: Oh, always. So the idea here is to create a simple 211 00:10:50,560 --> 00:10:53,260 checklist of everything a new student needs to know and to 212 00:10:53,260 --> 00:10:57,100 have. This becomes your ready to go protocol that you can hand to 213 00:10:57,100 --> 00:11:00,600 a buddy student or a teaching assistant to help them get a new 214 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:01,740 arrival up to speed. 215 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,500 Emily: Your SOP might include things like where to hang 216 00:11:02,500 --> 00:11:03,790 backpacks, how to order lunch, bathroom procedures, how to use 217 00:11:03,790 --> 00:11:08,440 classroom materials, what the signal for attention means, how 218 00:11:10,510 --> 00:11:15,580 center rotations work. You know, all those little things that 219 00:11:15,580 --> 00:11:16,870 make your classroom run smoothly. 220 00:11:17,500 --> 00:11:20,290 Heidi: And also don't forget the physical items that a new 221 00:11:20,290 --> 00:11:23,890 student needs, a name tag, cubby label, supply box, folder, login 222 00:11:23,890 --> 00:11:27,310 information and so on. Plus, there's all the behind the 223 00:11:27,310 --> 00:11:29,830 scenes stuff of adding the parents to your communication 224 00:11:29,830 --> 00:11:32,650 system and informing any specialty teachers that you've 225 00:11:32,650 --> 00:11:35,620 got a new student coming. So with all of that to manage, 226 00:11:35,650 --> 00:11:39,820 really the best time to create this list is now in May, when 227 00:11:39,850 --> 00:11:42,670 all of your systems are solidified and running smoothly. 228 00:11:43,180 --> 00:11:45,850 Emily: Right, because in May, you can clearly see exactly what 229 00:11:45,850 --> 00:11:48,910 makes your classroom tick. It is hard to remember some of these 230 00:11:48,910 --> 00:11:51,490 details once you have been blissfully free of your 231 00:11:51,490 --> 00:11:52,900 classroom for a couple months. 232 00:11:53,350 --> 00:11:56,590 Heidi: One idea is to make two versions, a simplified one for 233 00:11:56,590 --> 00:11:59,620 students who might be helping a new classmate, and a more 234 00:11:59,620 --> 00:12:02,920 detailed one for the teacher. Once you have your SOP, you can 235 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:06,580 store it in a visible place, maybe with your sub folder or 236 00:12:06,610 --> 00:12:10,360 taped inside a cupboard door. You could even create a little 237 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,900 welcome folder with all of the essentials that you or your 238 00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:15,340 helper can just grab and go. 239 00:12:15,940 --> 00:12:19,000 Emily: Or you could put it into any new student supply packs you 240 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,790 make. This takes maybe 30 minutes to put together now. It 241 00:12:21,790 --> 00:12:23,170 will save you so much stress later. 242 00:12:23,830 --> 00:12:26,350 Heidi: Plus it ensures new students feel welcomed and get 243 00:12:26,350 --> 00:12:29,290 consistent information, rather than just having to piece things 244 00:12:29,290 --> 00:12:30,550 together as they go along. 245 00:12:31,030 --> 00:12:33,220 Emily: And it's one less thing that you have to worry about in 246 00:12:33,220 --> 00:12:36,010 those first few months of school. Your future self will be 247 00:12:36,010 --> 00:12:39,130 so grateful when that new student shows up in mid October. 248 00:12:39,910 --> 00:12:42,310 Okay, Heidi, last task, let's hear it. 249 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:46,060 Heidi: Well, our fifth and final back to school task for May is 250 00:12:46,060 --> 00:12:51,520 to create a first day quick win before you leave for summer. I 251 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,790 think this is my favorite tip, because it addresses that back 252 00:12:54,790 --> 00:12:58,450 to school anxiety that sneaks up on even the most experienced 253 00:12:58,450 --> 00:13:02,050 teachers. You know, when the nightmares start, and it's the 254 00:13:02,050 --> 00:13:04,330 first day of school and you have nothing prepared, or you're 255 00:13:04,330 --> 00:13:07,930 trapped and you can't get where you need to be. This strategy is 256 00:13:07,930 --> 00:13:09,580 the antidote to that anxiety. 257 00:13:10,030 --> 00:13:13,570 Emily: The idea is simple but powerful. Just prepare one key 258 00:13:13,570 --> 00:13:16,930 element of your first day back now, while you're still in 259 00:13:16,930 --> 00:13:20,320 teacher mode. A great option is to prepare your first morning 260 00:13:20,350 --> 00:13:23,170 arrival task, just something students can start working on 261 00:13:23,170 --> 00:13:24,670 immediately when they walk in. 262 00:13:25,210 --> 00:13:28,270 Heidi: We love pattern blocks or Legos for your first day arrival 263 00:13:28,270 --> 00:13:31,060 activity. And we have got a couple of resources that you can 264 00:13:31,060 --> 00:13:34,270 use just for this. So we will link to that in the show notes. 265 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,220 Emily: You could also prep a favorite read aloud and the 266 00:13:37,220 --> 00:13:40,300 activity that goes with it, or another activity you know you'll 267 00:13:40,300 --> 00:13:41,620 want to do that first day. 268 00:13:42,220 --> 00:13:45,100 Heidi: Just having one piece fully ready gives you an 269 00:13:45,100 --> 00:13:49,060 incredible peace of mind. When that mid July panic starts to 270 00:13:49,060 --> 00:13:51,160 creep in, you can remind yourself, Hey, I've already 271 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,380 started. I am not starting from zero. 272 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:56,240 Emily: Whatever you choose, make it something that will truly 273 00:13:56,240 --> 00:13:59,330 help that first day run more smoothly. This is also a great 274 00:13:59,330 --> 00:14:02,390 time to jot down any special First Day traditions you want to 275 00:14:02,390 --> 00:14:05,750 continue, or new ones you want to try. Sometimes those details 276 00:14:05,750 --> 00:14:08,630 fade over the summer and we only remember them the night before 277 00:14:08,630 --> 00:14:09,470 school starts. 278 00:14:10,430 --> 00:14:12,590 Heidi: That's the worst, you're like, I was gonna do that, and 279 00:14:12,590 --> 00:14:16,760 now, yep, no time. So stop that now and get your list going. 280 00:14:17,690 --> 00:14:21,500 Setting up this quick first day when takes minimal effort now, 281 00:14:21,530 --> 00:14:24,950 but provides maximum relief later. It's like sending a 282 00:14:24,950 --> 00:14:28,880 little gift to your future, maybe slightly panicked, August 283 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,310 self. We love helping future you. 284 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:36,130 Emily: So let's recap our five smart tasks for May back to 285 00:14:36,130 --> 00:14:39,610 school prep. Number one, save some of your old supplies so 286 00:14:39,610 --> 00:14:41,920 that you can use them when you're teaching proper 287 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:46,840 procedures. Number two, create a three bin system to organize 288 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:50,860 your summer working materials, your classroom setup or need 289 00:14:50,860 --> 00:14:54,790 first essentials and the first week of school must haves. 290 00:14:55,540 --> 00:14:58,510 Number three, prep permanent displays now so they're ready to 291 00:14:58,510 --> 00:15:03,100 hang in August. Number four, create a new student SOP while 292 00:15:03,100 --> 00:15:06,400 your routines are fresh in your mind. And number five, set up a 293 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:09,490 first day quick win that gives your future self a head start. 294 00:15:10,180 --> 00:15:12,730 Heidi: None of these strategies should take more than an hour at 295 00:15:12,730 --> 00:15:16,420 the most, but together, they'll save you so many hours of stress 296 00:15:16,420 --> 00:15:19,600 and preparation in August. And if you want more help planning 297 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,810 for next year, don't forget to check out our free end of year 298 00:15:22,810 --> 00:15:26,170 roadmap. It's a digital planning tool that helps you reflect on 299 00:15:26,170 --> 00:15:28,720 what worked this year, what didn't, and what you want to 300 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:29,620 change for next year. 301 00:15:30,100 --> 00:15:32,440 Emily: It's completely free, and you can access it through the 302 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,380 link in our show notes. You can fill it all out at once or 303 00:15:35,380 --> 00:15:38,470 little by little as you have time. And stay tuned for 304 00:15:38,470 --> 00:15:41,800 information soon about our upcoming teacher summer talks 305 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:45,670 event, which is happening in mid June. It's a free audio summit 306 00:15:45,670 --> 00:15:48,370 with lots of back to school strategies from experienced 307 00:15:48,370 --> 00:15:51,760 teachers designed to fit into your summer schedule without 308 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:54,610 requiring you to sit in front of a screen for hours. 309 00:15:55,210 --> 00:15:57,340 Heidi: We are excited to be sharing more details about that 310 00:15:57,340 --> 00:16:00,280 soon, but in the meantime, we would love to hear which of 311 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,070 these five tasks you are going to try. Come join the 312 00:16:03,070 --> 00:16:05,200 conversation in our teacher approved Facebook group. 313 00:16:06,430 --> 00:16:09,340 Emily: Now for our teacher approved Tip of the Week, where 314 00:16:09,340 --> 00:16:12,520 we share an actionable tip to help you elevate what matters 315 00:16:12,550 --> 00:16:16,090 and simplify the rest. This week's teacher approved tip is 316 00:16:16,090 --> 00:16:20,530 create welcome back goodie bags for your teacher teammates. Tell 317 00:16:20,530 --> 00:16:21,340 us about this, Heidi. 318 00:16:22,030 --> 00:16:24,400 Heidi: We all know that first day back for teachers can be 319 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,460 overwhelming. There's so much to do and so little time, and 320 00:16:27,460 --> 00:16:30,820 you're so tired. A small gesture that can make a big difference 321 00:16:30,820 --> 00:16:33,640 is preparing little welcome back treats for your grade level team 322 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:34,720 or teaching partners. 323 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,940 Emily: These don't have to be elaborate or expensive. A simple 324 00:16:37,940 --> 00:16:41,020 paper bag with a few thoughtful items can be such a morale 325 00:16:41,020 --> 00:16:43,960 booster when you're all rushing around trying to get classrooms 326 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:44,380 ready. 327 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:47,560 Heidi: Some things you might want to include are chapstick, 328 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:51,160 colorful sticky notes, a pack of markers, or some chocolate, 329 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:53,800 because, you know, chocolate does make everything better. 330 00:16:55,060 --> 00:16:58,360 Emily: I love adding a small moisturizing hand sanitizer or 331 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,200 lotion, especially since teachers hands take such a 332 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:04,380 beating during those first weeks back, and if you can find them 333 00:17:04,380 --> 00:17:06,900 on sale now, it's so much cheaper than buying them in 334 00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:10,140 August, when school supplies are at premium prices. 335 00:17:10,660 --> 00:17:12,730 Heidi: The key is to make these now while you have a little 336 00:17:12,730 --> 00:17:15,940 time, and then just tuck them away with your first week bin 337 00:17:15,940 --> 00:17:18,700 that we talked about earlier. You can even add a simple 338 00:17:18,700 --> 00:17:21,040 handwritten note saying how excited you are to work together 339 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,910 this year. But just a warning, if you add chocolate, make sure 340 00:17:24,910 --> 00:17:27,910 to keep this bin someplace cool and not in the trunk of your 341 00:17:27,910 --> 00:17:28,450 car. 342 00:17:28,510 --> 00:17:31,900 Emily: For sure. What makes this tip special is that it's 343 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:35,110 focusing on teacher to teacher connections. We spend so much 344 00:17:35,110 --> 00:17:37,870 time preparing for our students, but our colleagues are such an 345 00:17:37,870 --> 00:17:40,090 important part of our daily support system. 346 00:17:40,540 --> 00:17:42,580 Heidi: Start planning these little welcome bags now when 347 00:17:42,580 --> 00:17:45,340 you're not in a rush and you will be everyone's favorite 348 00:17:45,340 --> 00:17:47,860 teammate when you hand them out during the first hectic work 349 00:17:47,860 --> 00:17:50,800 day. And you know, don't we all want that a little bit? 350 00:17:52,090 --> 00:17:53,560 Emily: I always want to be the favorite. 351 00:17:54,910 --> 00:17:58,990 Heidi: We are not above bribery here. But really it's a simple 352 00:17:58,990 --> 00:18:02,020 gesture that just shows that we are all in this together. 353 00:18:03,100 --> 00:18:05,260 Alright, to wrap up the show, we are sharing what we're giving 354 00:18:05,260 --> 00:18:07,300 extra credit to this week. Emily, what gets your extra 355 00:18:07,300 --> 00:18:07,810 credit? 356 00:18:07,990 --> 00:18:11,380 Emily: I'm giving extra credit to the new peanut butter flavor 357 00:18:11,410 --> 00:18:15,370 of my favorite Barebells protein bars. So I think I've given 358 00:18:15,370 --> 00:18:18,880 extra credit to Barebells before. Barebells are far and 359 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,940 away the yummiest protein bars I've ever tasted, and the peanut 360 00:18:21,940 --> 00:18:25,960 butter flavor is next level. It quickly shot to my favorite 361 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:30,100 flavor, and it's not too peanut buttery, which I think is a good 362 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:33,490 thing. It's not like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. 363 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:34,420 Heidi: Yeah, that would be a lot. 364 00:18:34,450 --> 00:18:35,500 Emily: But in a good way. 365 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:37,750 Heidi: Maybe I have to come steal one and see how I like it. 366 00:18:37,780 --> 00:18:40,390 Emily: Yes, you should. What are you giving extra credit to, 367 00:18:40,390 --> 00:18:40,990 Heidi? 368 00:18:41,260 --> 00:18:44,770 Heidi: Well, I'm giving extra credit to the celebrity British 369 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:49,060 Bake Off on the Roku channel. So they've done this for years. I 370 00:18:49,060 --> 00:18:52,780 think ever since Great British Bake Off started, they would do 371 00:18:52,810 --> 00:18:58,480 some celebrity episodes as a fundraiser for Red Nose Day. But 372 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:02,020 we just never got it here in the US. PBS didn't show it. It 373 00:19:02,020 --> 00:19:04,900 didn't show up on Netflix. So I've seen some episodes on 374 00:19:04,900 --> 00:19:06,670 YouTube, but otherwise, it's just really hit or miss what you 375 00:19:06,670 --> 00:19:12,070 could see. But Roku started showing it, and Roku is free. It 376 00:19:12,070 --> 00:19:14,290 does have ads, but I didn't think the ads were too bad, it 377 00:19:14,290 --> 00:19:18,070 was just maybe one mid episode ad. And it was just really fun 378 00:19:18,070 --> 00:19:23,110 to see, you know, people who can't bake try to do like the 379 00:19:23,110 --> 00:19:26,170 similar activities that they do on a regular Bake Off episode. 380 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:29,470 People have no idea what they're doing, so which is almost more 381 00:19:29,470 --> 00:19:33,400 fun. Do I know all of the celebrities? I do not. 382 00:19:34,020 --> 00:19:37,500 Emily: No, a lot of them are very Britain specific 383 00:19:37,530 --> 00:19:38,760 celebrities. 384 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,280 Heidi: But they're still very entertaining. So if you want 385 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:43,650 something fun and light to get you through these last few 386 00:19:43,650 --> 00:19:47,280 months of school, definitely check out the celebrity British 387 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:48,240 Bake Off episodes. 388 00:19:48,570 --> 00:19:51,000 Emily: And when you told me about this, I immediately turned 389 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,870 it on and found the James McAvoy episode that I have wanted to 390 00:19:54,870 --> 00:19:58,530 watch for like, what, wasn't that like 2020 or 2021? So I 391 00:19:58,530 --> 00:20:02,310 finally got to watch it. No spoilers, but he did an 392 00:20:02,310 --> 00:20:03,330 excellent job. 393 00:20:03,570 --> 00:20:05,550 Heidi: He really did. I was surprised at how well he did a 394 00:20:05,550 --> 00:20:05,970 baking. 395 00:20:06,330 --> 00:20:08,580 Emily: I know he took it seriously, which I think is fun, 396 00:20:08,580 --> 00:20:11,400 because a lot of times on here, some of them take it super 397 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:15,300 seriously, and some are just there to be silly. And I like it 398 00:20:15,300 --> 00:20:17,880 when they try really hard, and then if they fail, it's still 399 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,580 great, but I just wanted them to have tried hard before they 400 00:20:20,580 --> 00:20:21,150 fail. 401 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:25,080 Heidi: It's kind of like, if you've ever seen people around 402 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:26,970 the Olympics being like, they should always just have one 403 00:20:26,970 --> 00:20:30,630 regular person in an Olympic event, you can really appreciate 404 00:20:30,630 --> 00:20:34,860 how talented the Olympians are. This is kind of that, if you've 405 00:20:34,860 --> 00:20:36,810 watched the regular Bake Off episodes. 406 00:20:36,810 --> 00:20:38,010 Emily: Yes, exactly. 407 00:20:38,670 --> 00:20:41,400 Well, that's it for today's episode. Try out some of these 408 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:44,040 five smart ways to prep for back to school this May. 409 00:20:44,580 --> 00:20:47,220 Heidi: And don't forget our teacher approved tip to create 410 00:20:47,220 --> 00:20:49,650 those welcome back goodie bags for your teaching teammates. 411 00:20:49,950 --> 00:20:52,770 It's such a simple way to start the year with positivity and 412 00:20:52,770 --> 00:20:53,400 connection. 413 00:20:56,010 --> 00:20:59,760 We hope you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Approved. I'm Heidi. 414 00:20:59,820 --> 00:21:03,090 Emily: And I'm Emily. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow 415 00:21:03,090 --> 00:21:05,640 or subscribe in your podcast app so that you never miss an 416 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:06,060 episode. 417 00:21:06,540 --> 00:21:08,820 Heidi: You can connect with us and other teachers in the 418 00:21:08,820 --> 00:21:12,000 Teacher Approved Facebook group. We'll see you here next week. 419 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:13,020 Bye, for now. 420 00:21:13,050 --> 00:21:13,860 Emily: Bye.