What other prep do I need for Back to School?

Prep for the New School Year

AHH! This week is going to be crazy.  I’m feeling overwhelmed but excited for new adventures!  My music room had major renovations done over the summer.  The flooring was replaced AND I got my first-ever touch screen.  I’ve tried to learn a bit about it watching YouTube videos, but I know I will learn more from actually trying it out.  I’m so excited! I love new tech! But all this has me thinking, what other prep do I need for Back to School? Prep the classroom, prep the plans, prep the students.

Prep the Classroom

The music room got brand new flooring and as a result, at the end of last school year, I had to empty the entire room, including my office.  That means all instruments, shelving, risers, desk, everything!  However, the music room is on the stage that is attached to the gym.  My helpers were able to drop the risers to the floor and we passed boxes and items off the stage into the gym.  Once the floor was completed everything was moved back.

The next few days are going to be all about unboxing all of the things and finding homes for everything.  My wonderful mother consistently helps me with stuff like this, no complaints.  It’ll be a whirlwind, but let’s get this done!  Stay tuned for the after photo.

Prep the Plans

Throughout the summer, I tend to have a habit of creeping other teachers and doing professional development.  Our summer is in July and August, so I for sure pay attention to schools that are still in session during those months.  In addition to that, I completed my level one certificate of Orff training.  It definitely ignited a whole bunch of ideas and rabbit trails in my planning. I can’t help but prep over the summer!  I like prepping during the summer because I feel less overwhelmed during the year.  PLUS I get to create the resources I know I need ahead of time.  You can check some of them out here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Vs-Music-Room. I have so many resources, I figured I’d share them with other educators! 

Prep the Students

In my room prep and lesson prep, I strongly consider my student prep as well.  How do I ensure that new students feel safe and welcome in the music room?  For my returning students, what do I need to unteach or reteach routines and procedures that we ended the previous year with?  I reflect a lot on what happened in my previous years and consider how I want the beginning of the year to operate.  I need to structure the first weeks carefully so we can set the tone together.

What about you?

What kind of things do you do to get ready for your first weeks?  What are your favorite back-to-school activities?  How do you prep for Back to School? I’d love to hear from you! Comment on this post or send me an email!