Before school starts I highly recommend getting in the best physical shape that you can to endure the first part of the teaching year.  I used to make sure during every school break that I re-energized myself.  I concentrated on working out and getting into the best possible condition I could. Join us on the #Twitter Exercise Motivation Team #temt My Exercise Page

Plan how you will set up your classroom.  First, check with your supervisor and custodian on what the regulations are in your school about decorations and classroom configuration. Some principals only allow a certain desk formation. Some principals do not allow commercial signs and decorations. My Setting Up Your Classroom Page

Work out a potential seating plan system.  You can always start with one system and then consult with your students on how they would want the seating.  My Seating Plan page.

You can spend the time before school gathering books for your classroom library. Used book stores, library book sales and asking for books from publishers or members of the community can help you gather them.  When school starts put your children in charge of the classroom library.  My Classroom Libraries page

Remember how you felt when you were a student and a teacher did not know your name or mispronounced it… My LearnYour Students’ Names page

I always found it much easier when I was very organized and I tried to do the same for the students in my classroom.  I have collected a lot of great sites to help you be better organized on My Organizing Your Classroom page.

One of your first tasks should be to work together with your students on Building Community in the Classroom.  Also work with them on establishing Classroom & Behavior Management

To really get the ball rolling in the right direction check out My Back to School and Icebreakers page

Step outside the normal way of facilitating learning and think about:

Flipping Your Classroom

Student- Centered Learning

Project-Based Learning

Critical Thinking

Blended Learning

I hope you have an awesome year of facilitating the learning of each of your students.