Top 3 Back-to-School Tips for Teachers Who Want to Start Strong (and my must-haves)

Science Teachers

Jul 21

Oh my goodness, it’s almost here!

The first day of school!

There’s nothing quite like the energy of back-to-school season. Fresh notebooks, new routines, and that deep hope that this year will feel a little more organized (heavy sigh). As a long-time teacher, I’ve learned that a little bit of prep over the summer saves a ton of stress later.

Here are my three favorite ways to get ready for the new school year.

1. Set Up My Classroom Systems First

Before I hang a single classroom poster or place my plant in the windowsill, I make sure my classroom functions. I take note during the school year (do this on a copy of your syllabus) and start preparing this piece before the summer even starts lol. I’m a little overambitious sometimes.

So, what does this look like:

Write up a required materials list
- Do I want students to keep an interactive notebook?
- Will students have a lab notebook for notes, data, and reports?
- What about a classroom binder?!
Organizing supplies so students know where to find them
- Where is the student supply hub?
- Where will students pick up work they missed when they were absent?
- How will I return graded work?
Prepping my daily routines like bellringers, early finisher tasks, and classroom jobs
- How is each class period structured?
- Will students have homework? Built in assessment reviews throughout the year?
- Will students use notes on quizzes? Have an opportunity to retake a low test grade?

When systems are in place, everything runs smoother, even during those chaotic first weeks.

P.S. If you're looking for more ways to ease into the new school year, you might love what’s waiting in this month’s SciAcademy drop.

Click here to take a peek!

2. Print My Emergency Sub Plans

Every year, I tell myself I’ll prep sub plans when I need them, and every year, I regret it. Now I always start the year with a set of ready-to-go emergency sub plans (one per subject I teach).

These plans stay in a labeled red folder on my desk, like this one, so I’m covered for any unexpected day off.

Make sure that the sub-plans you choose are ready-to-go and don’t require additional materials or setup. In the chance that you don’t have time to prepare for your absence, another teacher or admin will be prepping your lesson for the day. So make it easy on them.

3. Prep Two Weeks of Bellringers

Those first few weeks are all about routines and classroom culture. I like to ease into content with bellringers that focus on safety, procedures, review, and curiosity-building.

Having these printed and ready means I can focus on getting to know my students, not scrambling for something to do at 8:02 a.m.

And why are bellringers so important? OMG let me count the ways!

Builds classroom routine. Students know what to do the minute they enter the room.
Allows you time to get the class period started. Take attendance, collect homework, or just walk around and spend a little time with the students.
Clearly sets the tone for the class period. If you don’t set the tone…the students will (we don’t want that!).

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean back-to-burnout. A few smart systems, a little upfront planning, and some peace-of-mind emergency prep can make all the difference.

If you think summer is your break and you don’t work in the summer, shift your mindset. You are not “working”; you are selfishly preparing for a less stressful return to the classroom.

Ask yourself, ”Self, what do I need to feel less stressed getting back to work?” and “Self, what do my students need to quickly establish routines, feel welcomed, and prepared for success in my classroom?”

You got this! And I have lots of support here for you along the way.

Heads up: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use and love — the kind that actually make my school year smoother!

Here are some of my favorite must-haves:

A red folder for your sub-plans and anything substitute-related. They deserved a well-organized system, too.
A bright and cheery desk calendar with a plastic cover to protect all those meeting dates from your coffee spills. Not into bright and cheery, okay, here’s the one I used all last year, and it’s still got life in it.
I buy these little magnetic calendars every year for my home, but this is great in the classroom on the whiteboard!
Hanging expandable folders are a must. I use mine to organize my hard copy originals for each unit and quarter.
Command velcro strips, just go ahead and order a few packs of these. You will never have enough…at least I never do lol.
Organize yourself with a rolling cart of drawers. I use mine for extra colored paper and student supplies, but I’ve seen other teachers use theirs as the turn-in bin; each class has a labeled drawer. Here’s one that has a bunch of bins!
Get a system in place for where you’ll keep work for absent students. Here’s mine! I have one for each class I teach.
My favorite purchase, and I’ve had mine for over a decade! A desktop laminator. And plenty of laminator sheets. You’re never going to regret this purchase.
Want a truly useful bulletin board? Get these sheet protectors. I use mine for upcoming assessment dates, calendars (just slide them in), and essential questions. You can write on these with a dry-erase marker!
Organize your student supplies in these baskets.
OMG, and these bins are perfect for setting up your lab stations. I put the glassware and supplies students will need for the assigned lab in these bins at their lab stations. This reduces the chaos and makes the best use of our lab time.
Last thing, get a timer to keep students on track during bellringers, exit tickets, or timed activities. This is an easy way to build a sense of urgency and maintain student focus.