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    young art teacher listening to music and enjoying summer break

    Teacher Life
    School Specialty • Jun 12, 2016 • Last Modified: May 10, 2023

    Summer To Do List for Art Teachers

    Summer is upon us. You made it through another school year, and the next several weeks are your reward. Make the most of your time with these tips to help compile your summer to-do list.

    Things All Art Teachers Should Do This Summer

    Sleep

    Sleep in, sleep late, sleep long, sleep in the middle of the day! Not only is sleep restorative, but it also improves your health, mood, and memory while decreasing your risk of injury. So go ahead and get some zzz’s!

    Create

    Once you’ve let go of the built-up stress and recovered some sleep, you’ll probably feel those creative juices stirring. Jumpstart your art by trying a new medium. Expert painter? Take a ceramics class! Whatever you choose, create something just for you.

    Develop

    Take your time reviewing the professional development opportunities in your area and choose one that will make a difference in your everyday teaching practices.

    Go outside… during the day!

    Summer is the time to get outside, feel the sunlight on your face, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy the sounds of children playing.

    Take a vacation

    Getting away is the best way to kickstart relaxation. But if you can’t take a vacation, find some way to experience new things. Take a day trip to a nearby town or try a restaurant in a neighboring city.

    Plan a vacation

    Planning a vacation for the winter or spring break or even next summer will give you something to look forward to when the new school year begins. Plus, it’s fun to explore the possibilities!

    Binge-watch the best series

    If you don’t already have the next season of a favorite show, take a Facebook poll and ask friends for recommendations. Then close the shutters, pop some popcorn, curl up on the couch, and let your mind get lost in another world.

    Stretch

    Even a 5-minute daily stretch can increase flexibility, range of motion, and joint movement while decreasing stress. Stretching also helps those sitting muscles from your TV time!

    Plan

    In a comfortable spot with a cool beverage in hand, begin your planning for next year. Grab a calendar, journal, laptop, or whatever works best for you, and block out the holidays. Then rough out your lessons, take note of art supplies you’ll need, and get any necessary paperwork or orders together. It may not sound relaxing now, but that headstart will help you better appreciate the rest of your break.

    Shop Arts & Crafts

    Set a few goals

    Summer is about relaxing, but you may have a few things you’d like to accomplish before fall, so consider setting a few realistic goals and chipping away at them a week at a time.

    Clean out your closets

    Cleaning out your closets is a great summer goal and leaves you feeling neat, tidy, and organized when it’s time to head back to school in the fall. Mary Kondo’s method is all the rage these days—lay your hands on each object. If it doesn’t bring you joy, it’s time to toss it.

    Liven up those lesson plans

    Once you’re rested, relaxed, and organized, pull out those old lesson plans and give them a once over. Some of them may need a makeover—visit our post 10 Ways to Revive Tired Lesson Plans for some great ideas to refresh your tried-and-true favorites.

    Meditate

    Meditating each morning is a great way to recognize clarity and purpose in your day. And since you don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn, you should have plenty of time for a quick session each day. Several apps are designed to walk you through the process, and plenty of YouTube videos have useful meditation sessions. Find one you love and commit to this daily practice.

    Exercise

    It’s always on your list, but this summer, make sure you do it. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood or a sweaty cardio session at the gym, you’ll never be sorry you made time for exercise.

    Browse

    When ready, drop by your classroom, pull out your art cart, or review your art files. Taking a trip down memory lane with some of the work your students left behind is a great way to get motivated for the coming school year.

    Stare out the window

    There’s no need to make excuses for daydreaming in the summer. So if you catch yourself staring out the window, don’t stop! Instead, take a deep breath and savor the moment.

    Find some new inspiration

    Take some time to get re-inspired. Visit a museum, take a class, or follow a new blog. Get back in touch with whatever moves you to create.

    Designate a YOU day

    Each week, take a day to do everything you love and nothing you don’t. Leave the dishes in the sink (dishes, what dishes, you went out for a bagel), forget the housework, and run those errands tomorrow. After all, summer is YOUR time!

    More Teacher Life Tips & Ideas

    Looking for more tips on how to renew and refresh your spirit during the summer break? Check out the other Teacher Life articles on our site. We’ve gathered advice and tips from all over to help you be the best educator you can be.

    Read All Teacher Life

    What’s on YOUR summer to-do list? Let us know in the comments below!

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