Whether you’re a new teacher or a grizzled old vet, the first days of school can be hectic. Meetings, surprise parent pop-ins, unscheduled renovations/maintenance, missing resources, fire drills, training, chatty colleagues – so many things can disrupt your vital preparation time. To ensure your year starts off right, be prepared – plan. Weeks before school even begins, I like to have the first week planned out in detail, and the first month roughed out. (I am a bit of an A-type personality, so – in reality – I rough out much of the entire year before the year begins, but that’s just me).  

There are many good planning templates online. Make sure you find one that reflects the philosophy of your district/school. I actually use two different models these days. I use a detailed one for day-to-day plans and a week-at-a-glance version when I need to keep track of which block is doing what on any given day.  

Whatever personality type you are, try to get at least a week of solid plans ready to go as soon as possible. There are so many interruptions and surprises early in the year that having your classes mapped out keeps you on track.

You DO NOT want to start off the year looking flustered or unprepared in front of the students. Analogy – a drop of blood in shark-infested waters. Oh, I exaggerate you not! Students can sniff out weak plans a mile away. Next thing you know, you’re having a class discussion about Grey’s Anatomy or who’s the best at Fortnite!

Ed X!