I loved this idea. Once I figured it out, (and it it took me way too long to figure it out) I did it EVERY year at the end of the year! I am not sure about other schools’s end of year routines, but in the schools I worked at we had to clean our rooms, pack up most of our belongings, cover them with paper, and move them so the custodians could clean the carpets and the walls. It was tons of work. Not just to pack up, but also to UNPACK in July.
This was my class the last year I taught. No fun. All the stuff on the table needed to be packed up to go home.
Luckily, I came up with the “Next Year” box.
It saved my tush every year when I was unpacking for the new school year. In the “Next Year” box I kept all the materials I wanted to be able to access quickly and prepare for the next school year.
I don’t know about you, but waiting for copy paper was a pain. Not only were the copiers crazy busy (and always jammed) after people got their paper, but you had to wait to get it. I always kept a ream or two in the “Next Year” box so I could get a jump on copies.
I have already written about using cheap, Wal-Mart sheets to cover my bulletin boards. I go ahead and pick those up in May and store them in the box. I also try to run to the teacher store and pick up my “stuff” for next year to avoid the rush (and out of stock frustrations). I store all this in the box.
I also try to make all my copies for pre-registration in August (we called ours Sneak a Peek) so I didn’t have the fight the copy crowd. It took me forever to set up my room,so every little bit helped.
I have several themes for back to school forms. I used the owl theme. You can pick them up for only $2 in my TpT shop.
Do you have a “Next year” box? What do you keep in yours?
Mandy Gregory is a 2007 and 2012 Teacher of the Year. She has taught Kindergarten- 4th grades in both the general education and inclusion settings. She is currently a 1st grade Special Education teacher. She is the owner and creator of Mandy’s Tips for Teachers website (www.mandystipsforteachers.com) and has over 13 years of teaching experience. She is married with two beautiful children.
SMART!! I'm always hunting down staples, scissors, etc!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Oh my gosh, that would be annoying. The only time I've ever had to pack up my classroom was one year when it was being painted. Other than that, I leave it nice and tidy and when I come back in August it's just how I left it. Very smart idea though.
Those are great tips. I only get about a day to set up the room. Thanks!
The paper stash is genius…because our school honestly will run out of copy paper and white construction paper at the start of the year! Going to snag a ream stat!
I totally need this. I have a next year notebook where I write down things that I think of that would be good for next year, but I need a box, too! Thanks for sharing!
Haley
Following Optimism in 2nd Grade
I don't have a box like this but I LOVE the idea! Thanks so much!!
Love the next year box!
Linda
DOwn the Learning Road
I also stash a few class sets of 1st day activities, just in case copier is out of commission. As well as last year's lesson plan for the first day, first week of school to rekindle the planning juices.