Getting Organized

I looked, REALLY looked at the calendar this morning and realized that I only have less than a month to get all of my ducks in a row for back to school.  

YIKES!!!!

So, it's time to start getting some things organized.  There are several things I'm going to be doing from the comfort of my own home before actually heading into my classroom to work.

(Which believe me, will be happening in about another week or so!!!)

One of the first (and easiest) things I always begin with is my calendar and lesson plans.

This year, I've made myself an editable calendar.  

This easy organizational tip will only take you a few minutes to a couple of hours TOPS to complete and will put you so far ahead of the game for next year!

First, I will take the school district calendar and add special dates to my calendar.  

I also add the curriculum map of when things must be taught to the calendar.

Whether you do your lesson plans on the computer or you write them by hand, simply going ahead and filling in all the weekly dates, special days, holidays etc.  will make it so much easier when it comes time next year to do those mundane type of things. 

 If you know your schedule add the times and activities.  If you teach special themes add those into the months you teach.  

ANYTHING you add now, will be that much less during the busy school year.  Remember, we want to make this next year all about Working Smarter, NOT Harder! 

Speaking of lesson plans, how do you organize your activities to make it easier during the crazy, busy, school year?

I get everything organized on my computer (again...at home).  

This organization idea will take you longer, but after the initial set-up, it will be a breeze to drop things into your files and make your next school year's planning a BREEZE!

 

Make a folder on your computer simply titled LESSON PLANS.

 

Inside this folder, make a folder titled August. 

Inside this folder, make another folder titled Math.

Next, inside this folder (can you guess???)

You got it... MORE folders!

Label these Power Points, Hands on Activities, Worksheets, etc.

Now, close the folder titled Math.  Copy and paste as many times as needed for each subject you teach.  Change the title to those subjects.

Next, close the August folder.  Copy and paste as many times as needed for each month of your school year and change the names.

 I am now ready for all of those wonderful ideas I come across on Pinterest, blogs, TPT, etc.   I can just drop them into the correct folder.  

I just made my job of planning during the school year SOOOO much easier.  Everything I need is at my fingertips when I make lesson plans.

And I won't forget all of those wonderful ideas I came across this summer!

 I hope this helps you to gather your thoughts and start getting organized for the classroom.  Now, I'm back off to Pinterest, to see what other great ideas I come across!  

Getting organized, and feeling confident about the up-coming school year, is My Kind of Teaching!