End of the Year Classroom Prep for the First Week of School

The first week of school is so busy! You have a long to do list while also trying to get to know your little learners. Make your August self happy and prep for the first week of school in May!

Make a First Week of School Box

Save your sanity in August by packing all the things you’ll need in the first week into one box when you’re packing up your classroom in May! Sometimes I think I know where I put something before I left for summer break and then spend half a day during set up trying to locate the things I need for the first week. Take the time now to gather all the things you’ll need and you will thank yourself later!

I use a large tote or Sterilite bin like this one and label it ‘First Week of School.’

Here’s what’s inside my first week box:

• Books that we will read to establish routines and procedures for the year

I like to read stories that make students feel welcome in our classroom, books that encourage students to make connections with each other, and read alouds to teach students about my expectations for behavior. You can read more about the books I choose here!

• Any anchor chart labels and pieces that we will use to talk about the first week of school

You can find the activity pictured above here. I also include copies of the companion activities that we do with each read aloud.

• Copies of the welcome letter that I send home with students each year and any forms that I’ll send home to parents on Meet the Teacher/Back to School night

• Copies of the birthday balloons (these FREE ones from Amelia Capotosta) and silly straws.
• Pre-sharpened pencils to have ready on the first day
• Stapler, staples, scissors, and tape to use when putting up bulletin boards

• Student name tags – I make these ahead of time if we are given our class lists early enough!

I also include the adhesive pockets that I use to hold the name tags so that I don’t have to go searching for them.

• A blank calendar for August or September (depending on when the first day is)
• A copy of the first week lesson plans

• Copies of the first day student self-evaluation

These are both free! You can find this one for older grades or this one for younger grades.

• My emergency sub binder

If I don’t have my class list before leaving for summer break, I’ll put it in the first week box so that I can work on updating it during my pre-planning days!

• Something fun for me!

Come August I’ve often forgotten that I put this inside the first week of school box and it will be a pleasant surprise for myself amidst the stress of the back to school season!

I’m a fan of getting things like this done while I’m already packing in my classroom so that I don’t have to think about it during summer and I can enjoy my time off. I hope this first week of school box makes your August life easier!