5 Things Teachers Can Do at the End of the Year to Make Back to School Easier

As the school year winds down, the thought of preparing for next fall might feel overwhelming. But spending just a little time now can make back to school easier and save you hours of stress in August! These five simple end-of-year tasks will help you start fresh next year without the usual scramble. Your future self will thank you for this small investment now – especially when you’re enjoying more of your summer break knowing you’ve set yourself up for success!

1. Purge, Organize & Take Inventory

That decade-old bulletin board border? Those downloaded freebies that don’t match your curriculum? The filing cabinet full of ancient worksheets? It’s time to let them go!

When you’re drowning in classroom materials – from decor and supplies to digital and paper resources – a strategic end-of-year purge can make back to school easier by eliminating the clutter that wastes precious time in August.

If the task feels overwhelming, start small:

• Set a 20-minute timer for one drawer or shelf
• Stay focused (no phone distractions!)
• Keep a notebook nearby to list what you have and what you need

Student Helpers: Turn clean-up into a class activity with these quick tasks:

• Test and toss dried-out markers, pens, and glue
• Sharpen pencils for next year
• Check board games for missing pieces
• Organize manipulatives and class sets
• Clean mini whiteboards and clipboards
• Sort classroom library books

This systematic purge not only saves time when setting up in the fall but also gives you a clearer picture of what supplies you actually need to purchase over summer.

2. Capture Your Classroom Setup

Before dismantling your classroom, take strategic photos to make back to school easier next year:

• Snap pictures of bulletin board arrangements you want to recreate
• Photograph desk groupings that worked well for your teaching style
• Document your classroom library organization system
• Capture your teacher area setup and storage solutions
• Record any anchor charts or displays you’ll want to replicate

With these visual references, you’ll save hours of decision-making in August. No more staring at an empty room wondering, “How did I arrange this last year?”

Don’t limit yourself to your own classroom! With permission, take photos of clever setups in colleagues’ rooms before they pack up. That reading nook or math center that caught your eye can inspire your own space next fall.

3. Pack Your “First Day Back” Essentials Box

Create a dedicated box with everything you’ll need the moment you return in August to make back to school easier:

Must-have supplies:

• Cleaning supplies for quick desk and surface wipes
• Post-its, pens, pencils, and Sharpies
• Scissors, stapler, and staples
• Paper (copy, lined, and sticky notes)
• Basic organizational tools (paper clips, tape, rubber bands)
• Whiteboard markers and eraser
• Laminator and laminating sheets
• Hand sanitizer and tissues

Pro tip: Pack a separate planning box with your teacher manuals, curriculum binders, and planning notebooks. When you return, you’ll have everything needed for both classroom setup and lesson planning right at your fingertips—no digging through multiple boxes or making extra trips to your car!

This simple organization step eliminates the frustration of needing basic supplies when settling back into your classroom. You’ll be ready to work efficiently from day one instead of hunting for essentials.

4. Make Strategic Copies Ahead of Time

Beat the back-to-school copy machine rush! Make copies of your essential materials before summer break:

• Student information forms and interest surveys
• First-week activities and icebreakers
• Parent communication templates
• Classroom management materials
• Beginning-of-year assessments

This simple step eliminates one of the biggest time-wasters when you return – standing in line at the copy machine while everyone else tries to prepare simultaneously. If the machine jams or breaks down (and we all know it will!), you won’t be left scrambling.

For anything you’re unsure about using, wait until you’ve finalized your plans in August. Then arrive early one morning before others to make those copies without the wait.

Resource Spotlight: Back to School Forms

5. Reflect and Create Your Action Plan

Before closing your classroom door for summer, take 15-20 minutes to reflect on what worked and what didn’t:

Quick reflection questions:

• Which lessons engaged students most effectively?
• What classroom management strategies need tweaking?
• Which routines saved you time?
• What topics do you need to teach differently next year?
• How did your classroom layout support learning?

Get your students involved! Ask them what activities they enjoyed most and which were confusing. While it might feel vulnerable to receive their feedback, their insights will help you improve instruction for next year’s class.

Start a “Back-to-School” list with all your ideas and needs. Keep this list with you over summer so you can add thoughts as they come to you. When August arrives, you’ll have a ready-made action plan instead of trying to remember all those mental notes you made in May.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Taking these five simple steps before summer break will transform your back-to-school experience. Instead of starting the new year feeling overwhelmed and unprepared, you’ll walk into a classroom that’s organized, stocked with essentials, and ready for students. The small investment of time now – purging unnecessary materials, capturing your setup, packing smartly, preparing key copies, and reflecting on improvements – pays enormous dividends when August rolls around.

Remember, teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. By giving your future self this gift of preparation, you’re not just making back to school easier – you’re protecting your wellbeing and ensuring you start the year with energy and enthusiasm for what matters most: your students.