Three Things I’m Doing to Prep for Switching Schools

At the end of this year, I left my preschool special ed role for a K-2 position. I'm excited - and nervous - for the opportunity. As I wound down my school year, here are some of the ways I prepared for my new job.

1) Sorting through items I purchased myself.
It can be easy to leave behind materials for the next teacher, especially when materials get mixed in. But when I remember how much of my own money I've spent on supplies, it motivates me to take things home. In the last three months of school I spent ten minutes a day finding my own supplies and packing them up to bring home. I take the subway to work so this has been the easiest method for me.

2) Creating a book organization system.
This has been such a challenge for me the last few years! There are so many ways to organize books, and seasoned teachers say it is a years-long process. This summer I am re-organizing by topic and taping to indicate reading levels. I want to have easy access to books for teaching the science of reading now that I'm entering the elementary grades. How do you organize your books?

3) Copying and laminating visuals for next year.
Some of the visuals I've made new copies of include:

• How to play in centers (purchased from The Alternative Way to PreK)

• All-Done Bin

• Class Rules

• How to blow your nose

• Toileting steps

• Handwashing steps

• Calm-down strategies (modified from Pyramid Model materials)

• Social problem-solving strategies

Having these ready to hang has eased my mind about the prep I'll be doing before the upcoming school year.

What prep do you do for the new year? How do you stay organized when moving to a new classroom?