This back-to-school season looks different than any we have ever seen before.
While school across the nation are still undecided on how their students and staff will return, some districts have made the announcement that they will give students, and their parents, the choice to continue learning remote or in-person; other schools have even made the decision to make all classes completely online.
No matter what the school year may bring or your district’s decision on classes, children will be caught in the middle. That is why it is so important to get them prepared and back into a comfortable school routine.
Here are some quick tips to help your child establish a back-to-school routine, no matter if they are heading back into the classroom or learning at home.
5 Tips for Back to the Classroom:
Teach Hygiene Rules
Having good hygiene is extremely important, especially now. Teach your child the good hygiene rules, which include washing their hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds), using hand sanitizer, not sharing their food, and sneezing/coughing into their elbow. You should also teach them that to keep everyone safe they should not touch other students or their teachers.
Practice Wearing Masks
Wearing a mask in the classroom will likely be required. At first, this will feel different for younger kids; this is why you should have them practice wearing their mask at home for extended periods of time until they become more comfortable. Let them know the importance of keeping their mask on and not sharing it with other students.
Prepare Lunches the Night Before
Get in the habit of making lunches the night before, so you aren’t stressed and rushing around in the morning. Children can even help out by picking what they would like to have and putting it all together in the fridge for easy grabbing in the morning. When you are packing remember to use Tupperware or plastic baggies they can open themselves, and include a baby wipe or sanitizer for their hands.
Set BedTimes
One of the hardest parts about going back to school is having to adjust your child’s sleeping schedule and getting them used to waking up early again. That’s why morning and night routines are crucial. About 2 weeks before school starts, you’ll want to get their bedtimes back to normal, so they have time to adjust to them.
Establish a Morning Routine
Having a polished morning routine set in place will help get you and your child out the door on time, every day. The routine should consist of: a set waking time, some type of breakfast- decided on the night before, time to get ready- brushing teeth, changing, etc., backpacks and lunch boxes sitting in their designated location, and a specific time to meet by the door or be in the car. Remember, practice makes perfect!
5 Tips for Learning at Home:
Continue to Have a Morning Routine
Even though your child is learning remotely, they can still benefit from having a routine in the morning. Waking them up and having them complete their normal duties before they have to log on, will help them become more awake and prepared for their online school day.
Designate a Workspace
Before classes begin, find an area of your home that you can designate as your child’s workspace. This should not be the dining table or the living room table. They will need a space that is completely their own where they can keep all of their supplies, just like their desk in a classroom. This space should be in a quiet area of your home or in their bedroom.
Know Their Schedule
Even though classes will be online, you should print out a copy of your child’s schedule and hang it on the fridge. Be sure to include the teacher for each subject (if they differ) and their contact information. By doing this you will be able to help them prioritize their homework and easily reach out to their teacher(s) if they have any questions you are not able to answer.
Make Rules for Toys and Electronics
Setting rules for toys and electronics before classes start will help set boundaries for what your child can and cannot do while they are learning remotely. Place all toys and electronics (stuffed animals, video games, etc.) away from their designated work area and let them know when it is acceptable to play with them, and when it is not.
Set Aside a Time for Homework
After sitting at the computer by themselves all day, the last thing your child wants to do is homework, so they may find ways to put it off. After their online learning day, let them take a short break and then set aside an hour that is solely dedicated to studying, so they can enjoy the rest of their night when it is complete. Start this on the very first day of school, so it can easily become a habit.
Children, along with most parents, love routines, and by using these tips you are setting them up for success- no matter if they are learning at home or in the classroom.
Happy back-to-school!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Our Education Blogger is a public school teacher with over a decade of experience. She’s an active NEA member and enjoys writing about her experiences in the classroom.
You spend about eight hours a day in the classroom; it’s basically your second home. You never know what your day in the classroom will throw at you, especially these days, so be sure you’re prepared. In addition to your basic supplies, stock up with these 10 essential items every teacher should have at their desk.
Good Grading Pens/Markers – You can never have too many colorful grading utensils! I like Papermate Flair Pens and they come in a variety of bright, fun colors.
Stain Remover – I always spill my coffee on my shirt! I use a quick stain remover, like Shout Wipes or Tide Pen, to clean myself up in a snap!
Travel-Sized Deodorant – The temperature of my classroom is never consistent! One hour I’m wearing my parka while I teach and the next I’m down to my sweat-stained shirt. Keeping a stick of deodorant on hand is also helpful on those warm days that I have recess duty.
Extra Masks– For those days when you are rushing out the door and forget we are living in the “new normal”.
Pain Reliever– It’s hard to teach when you’re head is pounding! Keep a small bottle stashed in your desk drawer so you can make it through a tough day.
Disinfectant Wipes – Even though the janitorial staff is consistently wiping down surfaces, between classes this will most likely be your responsibility to help you (and your students) stay safe.
Bandages – No need to send students to the nurse (and risk exposure) for minor cuts and scrapes.
8. Hand Sanitizer– For when you don’t have time to run to the bathroom and wash your hands between periods.
Snacks– Keep a few healthy snacks, that you don’t have to eat with your hands, tucked away so you aren’t tempted to go to the vending machine-like cereal bars, applesauce, or jerky sticks.
Reusable Water Bottle – Water fountains can be full of germs, invest in a large enough water bottle that you won’t have to refill throughout the day.
Worried about shelling out your own money? Ask parents and families to donate items that are for student use, like cough drops, wipes, Post-its, pencils, and bandages!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. California Casualty does not own any of the photos in this post, all are sources by to their original owners. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
It’s almost school season and many teachers that will be back in the classroom this fall are already organizing and decorating to make it look inviting and more “normal” for their students. What says, “Welcome, my classroom rocks, let’s forget about our worries and have a great day” more than a bright colored new bulletin board?
We have gathered a list of fun bulletin boards that teachers can use for ALL occasions; back to school, holidays, birthdays, mindset, and much more! Each creative bulletin board is linked to our Pinterest board, “Teachers- Bulletin Board Ideas”, which also has ideas for door decorations, student name tags, and other printables. Click here to view the board.
Head over to our Pinterest for over 100 more bulletin board options! Don’t forget to give us a follow at California Casualty to stay up to date on every new classroom idea we discover! Scan our Pincode with your Pinterest camera to follow:
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. California Casualty does not own any of the photos in this post, all are sources by to their original owners. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
We can all agree that summer 2020 has had a very different feeling than the summers of years past, for everyone, but especially for Educators. On top of our daily concerns surrounding our health and safety, we’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and completely left in the dark about what the upcoming school year will look like.
I‘ve spent the last few weeks surveying the teacher community on Instagram. I posed the question, “As a teacher, what are your top concerns heading into the new school year?”
This question opened the door to multiple conversations about health concerns, anxiety, access to remote learning technology, and the availability of resources.
Here’s what our Educators say they need going into the 2020-2021 school year.
Teachers need to be heard. The guidelines for reopening schools are changing daily. The decisions being made for education right now are critical. The new school year has abnormal circumstances and we need to think outside of the box to meet the health and safety needs of our school communities. If you have not already, send a letter to your school board and voice your concerns.
Teachers need community. Do not feel like you are in this alone. Talk to your people, family members, friends, or other teachers, and get your feelings about back to school out in the open. Chances are someone nearby is feeling similarly. Talking about the things on your mind can make it a little easier to enjoy the last bit of summer. If you are looking for more tips about finding balance during the summer months, click here to read more ideas.
Teachers need resources. With remote learning, now more than ever, teachers are asking for resources -more technology to meet classroom demands, proper training for these specific programs and sites, and/or resources to supplement them. WeAreTeachers reports that over 50% of teachers are in need of more training to teach engaging remote lessons. In my own Instagram survey, educators responded that they need both access to resources and additional training for specific remote learning technology to feel more confident going into the new school year. That’s not to mention all of the other resources needed for students to return safely back in the classroom.
Here’s what you can do right now to meet those needs:
Don’t be afraid to express your concerns, your voice is important. Reach out to your school leadership and talk about your apprehensions.
Find teachers in your grade level on Instagram and follow along. They share tips and relatable content. If you’re not sure where to start, ask a teammate if they follow any great teacher accounts. (You can also follow @IgConnect4Edu on Instagram and on Facebook for educator accounts in all content areas.)
Check out my new website that features training videos, a resource library (including remotely learning resources), and a teacher community for collaboration. Click here to Connect and Educate!
Teachers are the ultimate problem solvers. For years we’ve been flexible and have learned to work with whatever resources are provided. No matter what scenario lies ahead or what obstacles we have to overcome, we’ve got this.
Casey Boehm is a first-grade teacher in northwest Ohio. Casey is passionate about using technology in the classroom and sharing ideas for organization. Find her on social media @OrganizeandEducate
No one knows what the upcoming school year will look like, thanks to coronavirus.What we do know, however, is that teachers and educational support professionals will need to be prepared for any scenario — schooling in person, hybrid classrooms, online learning, staggered scheduling, rotating teacher shifts, and more.
While there may not be much that you can control right now, you can do your best to prepare for the fall by reviewing what we already know about COVID-19 and applying that knowledge to your classroom plans.
If your school makes the decision to resume in-person classes, here are some guidelines issued by the CDC for schools (last updated May 19, 2020) and how you can prepare for them in the fall.
Social Distancing
The more time a student or staff member interacts with another, the higher the chance of contracting or passing on the virus. By now, we all know that that the term “social distancing” means staying at least 6 feet apart from one another, however, this may not be possible in your classroom. Before you get back into your classroom, take some time to consider ways that you can optimize your space by separating student desks, and workspaces the farthest that you can away from one another.
Respiratory Etiquette
It’s important for children to learn to sneeze and cough into their elbows, to help fight the spread of germs, including the virus that causes COVID-19. It is also important that hygiene supplies are placed close to each student, so that the potential virus spread is limited. Consider having multiple tissue stations placed around the room or have each child bring their own box that they can keep at their desk.
Face Masks
More and more cities are requiring face masks, and that may be the case for classrooms in the fall, especially for staff and older students. If masks become mandatory at your school you can either require students to bring their own, or make it fun and announce a mask theme for your entire class. You and students could even make your own and create a story around them. Remember this whole situation is just as hard on students as it is on adults; small actions like this have the potential to make their day a little brighter.
Health & Safety Messaging
The CDC recommends placing signs in highly visible areas, like entrances and restrooms, and your school may also require you to place them in your classroom. Pinterest has all kinds of hygiene posters that are free to print out and hang up! They also have hygiene lessons that teachers can easily incorporate into their lesson plans, to help remind younger students about the safety and importance of not spreading the virus.
Hand Hygiene
Students should wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds — especially if they have interacted with one another. When you sit down to lesson plan, keep in mind allowing time for more frequent and longer breaks to the restroom for handwashing. You should also have sanitizer (at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol) in multiple places in the room, readily available for all students, and/or ask students to bring their own.
Adequate Supplies
Along with having the correct sanitary supplies, you should also be prepared for the possibility that students will not be able to share school supplies with other students. Any crayons, markers, pencils, scissors, folders, books, etc. that are shared might have to be available to each student at their own desks. Take this into consideration when you are preparing supply lists for parents and when you are buying supplies for your classroom.
Cleaning & Disinfecting
If you are starting in-person classes in the fall, your school has also probably already started a cleaning and disinfecting regimen that will continue throughout the year. This may or may not require you to clean your own classroom; however, you should be prepared to do so. You will need to disinfect high-touch areas throughout the day like doorknobs, desks, hall-passes, and chairs. Try and disinfect as often as you can — between classes and at the end of the day — or create a schedule where the last ten minutes of class each student disinfects their own area.
Screening & Testing
As testing methods and standards continue to evolve, your school may adopt a screening and testing policy. Policies may include a protocol for temperature checks, guidelines for symptom screenings, and plans for rapid response to staff or students who exhibit signs of illness. Whatever protocol your school decides on, clear communications will be key to its success. Be prepared to stay informed on the plan, take steps outlined for educators, and communicate with parents as needed.
We may not know what this school year will look like, but we do know that our amazing teachers will do whatever they can to make it as enjoyable and “normal” as they can for our students.
Remember, if you can get through last spring, you can get through anything. Bring on back-to-school!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Summer means free time and warm weather, but when you’re a teacher school to-dos and tasks can easily sneak back into your mind.
The summer months are a much needed time to rest and recharge – and you should do just that! But if you want to start preparing for next school year (and the unknowns that come with it), there are small steps you can take for a much easier back to school season.
Check out these three important tips on how you can relax and feel prepared for the upcoming school year:
1. Start to prep for August now!
This tip may sound daunting, but I promise it’s not. Each year I make myself a folder or bag of materials just for back to school – trust me, it will be a gift to yourself once August rolls around.
My “back to school bag” has items like the papers that I’ve sent home at open house, beginning of the year forms, and my first week of school activities.
When August rolls around and you can finally get back into your classroom, you can focus on getting it set up properly, labeling items with a new class list, and a million other things. When you pull out your bag of items you can quickly make copies and have a reminder of what you have sent home in the past; it is a huge time saver!
2. Keep an open mind about online learning.
Fall 2020 is full of unknowns and it will likely look and feel a lot different than past school years. Over the summer months, remember to be patient with your district and state and focus on what you can control, like getting more familiar with online learning.
One way you can learn and grow your comfort level with online learning is to join a Facebook group that relates to the Learning Management System (Google Classroom™, Canvas, etc.) your school uses, or a group that matches your grade level. Facebook groups are a great space to share resources and ask questions with other educators. It’s a good idea to join a few and find the one that best fits your needs; not all Facebook groups are created equal. NEA has a group all about navigating the changes in education. (If you are an early career educator in Ohio, be sure to check out the ONE Connects group.)
3. Rest and relax!
Easier said than done, I know. Summer goes by so quickly. Be sure you make the most of it and try not to stress out about the fall. When I am feeling overcome with thoughts and to-dos, I make a list. I write down all the things on my mind – the things I am worried about for next school year, the lessons I want to teach, the things I want to do this summer, etc. Once my thoughts are collected, I have an easier time relaxing. Just remember, all of these things are important, but don’t let them take up the summer!
After you write down your stressors and are feeling good, take some time for yourself and unwind. There are thousands of ways you can relax, but some of my favorites are evening walks with friends, bonfires, reading by the pool, and traveling! Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite way to relax over the summer!
Be sure to make the most of your summer by following these tips, so you are prepared for the best back to school!
Casey Boehm is a first-grade teacher in northwest Ohio. Casey is passionate about using technology in the classroom and sharing ideas for organization. Find her on social media @OrganizeandEducate
