When you arrive on the first day of school for teachers, you will be pulled in a lot of different directions. There will be faculty meetings, lunches, and catch-up sessions. To make the most effective use of your time, it helps to have a plan. Here is what you should focus on when you first step foot in your classroom.
Clean
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The school’s air conditioner has been shut off for most of the summer, letting all of the dust accumulate. Because there hasn’t been anyone around, the little creepy crawlies that you pretend aren’t around have had a field day. Before you start doing anything else, give the room a thorough cleaning.
Get some compressed air cans and wipes for the electronics. Bring your dustbuster from home (you don’t need the floor vacuum). Some window cleaner would also be helpful. It will be a lot easier to start setting things up when you don’t have to worry about what your hands might touch.
Clear out
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Before you start moving stuff in, move the things you don’t want out. Have no mercy. You want to start with as clean a slate as possible.
Identify the charging spots
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^^NOT SAFE! You’re going to need as many outlets as possible. When thinking about how to arrange the furniture, make sure all possible outlets are available. Don’t forget about yourself and your devices during this process as well.
The two areas that go far away from the door
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There are two things that you want as far away from the door as possible: your desk and the classroom library. Both house small items that students like to walk off with (even if they don’t realize it). Any classroom design plan needs to take that into account.
What is the first thing you do when you get into your classroom?
