It's almost time to head to school!

Now that you've sat down and made a list of all of the tasks you need to do to get ready for the coming school year you are one step closer to going in to your classroom!

Here is my list:

Once you've made your list - it's time to color code.
I needed 3 colors for my list - you may need more or less.

The three categories I used were:

Orange - Things that I can type at home, and then just print and laminate at school, and bring back home to cut.

Pink - Things that I can do exclusively at home.

Blue - Things I have to do at school





As I was making my list I discovered that I also needed a couple of other lists - one to organize the items that I need to bring in to school with me, and another to list all of those fun Pinterest projects that I would love to do - but know I don't NEED to do to successfully start the year.  I also like making lists, so this strategy just works for me.

Next step - make a schedule for your three hours!

Using my to do list I focused on the things that needed to be done AT school and based my schedule on those things.  This is the schedule I'm going to attempt to use:

30 minutes - Set up classroom furniture                   

• Student Desks - create groups (hint - I've already been looking online for arrangements I may want to use.)  I've taken some screen shots on my phone so that as I'm moving desks I can look at pictures quickly and not have to stop and look up pictures.
• Other furniture - teacher desk, shelves, etc.
• Set up classroom technology

20 minutes - Print, copy, laminate

• Turn on laminater! :)  We all know, it takes a little bit to heat up!
• Print student name tags - (that were typed at home).  Desk nameplates, name tags for my lunch count chart, name tags for my homework turn in chart, and wearable name tags.  
• I make my own desk name plates - and then just copy and laminate a clean set as the year goes on and new ones are needed.  They can be printed on card stock but printing on colored paper and laminating works just as well.  Here are a few of the ones I have on my TPT store!
• Traditional Name Plates 
• Free Name Plates 
• I have others for sale on my TPT store, and could make others with a special request.  
• Print library book bin labels.
• Laminate everything that needs to be laminated.  
• Cut only the library book bin labels.  Roll the rest up and pack it up to cut at home.

15 minutes - Mailboxes

• Label student mailboxes with first names
• Distribute day 1 paperwork to each mailbox

20 minutes - Classroom Library

• Organize books into new book boxes in the classroom library.
• Put new labels on boxes.

35 minutes - Boards

• I have three decent sized boards in my room.  All need borders, backings, and a few things need to be posted. 

At this point we've used 2 hours...

Last Hour...All of the loose ends!

• During this last hour tie up all of the loose ends.  All of the little odd jobs that just need to get done.  For me these are:
• Write morning message for day 1 of school
• Sharpen pencils - distribute to desks
• One that is exclusive to me - this year I need to fix my easel.  I figure it will only take 5 minutes, but it needs to be done.  The little plastic bottoms are gone on the feet of my easel and it's going to keep scratching my floor if I don't fix it.
• Distribute supplies to student desks (textbooks, etc.)
• Organize teacher desk area
• Make any copies for the first week with any time available.

A few important things to keep in mind as you enter your 3 hours of classroom time... 

• Set a timer!!  I can't stress this enough.  Once you've made a schedule, stick to your time limits as much as possible.
• Don't chit chat with your friends!  I'm SO SO guilty of this one.  Sorry friends who work with me - you know I would love to catch up - but it will happen at some other time, not during my 3 hours of classroom set up.  Perhaps after set up is over we can catch up over lunch!  I'm actually going to mostly stay right in my room for the 3 hours aside from when I'll copy and laminate - and I'm going to tell everyone who stops by to say hi that I've challenged myself to do this in a time limit - and that I'll stop to catch up with them when I'm done.  Yes, this will be one of the hardest parts of the 3 hour challenge...
• Don't forget to bring your water bottle and snacks - especially important if you work in a hot building with no AC like I do.  This will help keep you moving.
• If possible - bring a helper (this isn't possible for me, but I have done this in the past and it is a HUGE time saver!).

I can't wait to hear how you do!!  Head on over to the Hooting About Learning Facebook page to share your experiences and support one another!  It's going to be a GREAT year!!