We are already on Week 5 of our summer blog series, Back to School Basics! Each week we are tackling a tiny task that will make going back to school a little bit easier!
2. Make a wish list! Parents can’t help provide classroom supplies if they don’t know what you need! The beginning of the year is the perfect time to ask parents for what you need for a successful school year. I use this circus cupcake stand (that matches my classroom theme) to display the items I need. Parents just take what item they can donate to the classroom.
I am super blessed with wonderful parents who love Amazon Prime almost as much as I do. This year, I decided to create a wish list on Amazon to share with parents. The best part is that I can add items to the list throughout the year and everything will ship right to me. I just created a QR code that parents will be able to scan and shop!
3. Make a small gift to send home with your students. There are SO many cute ideas for this one! I have done a few different things for this over the years, but my favorite thing to give my students is these little cotton candy buckets because again, it matches my circus theme! You can read all about this sweet little gift HERE.
And DO NOT feel like you have to spend a lot of money on this one. It’s all about making a great first impression and letting those sweet babies know how excited you are to get to know them. Make a video of yourself reading a special bedtime story to your students for them to watch the night before the first day of school or about yourself. A QR code will make it easy for students to watch the video, just add it to a cute graphic! I created this to have at each student’s desk that they can take home, scan the code and watch!
4. Create a check list or scavenger hunt for students to complete with their parents. Meet the Teacher Night is always crazy because there is only one of you and like a million people who want to meet and visit with you. Give your parents and kids something to do that will help them learn about the classroom and get comfortable. Here is an example of mine:
This week your task is to prepare for that first time you meet your students and/or their parents. For me, this is Meet the Teacher Night! It’s always so fun to meet all of my new students and their families for the first times, but it can also be a little bit overwhelming! After all, everyone is there to meet one person…YOU! Let’s spend a little time preparing this week so that things go as smoothly as possible.
1. Make sure those forms are ready! I have parents fill out a student information form on this night so I already have the information I need before the first day. If you have been keeping up with us, this should already be checked off your list. If not, check out the post HERE.
2. Make a wish list! Parents can’t help provide classroom supplies if they don’t know what you need! The beginning of the year is the perfect time to ask parents for what you need for a successful school year. I use this circus cupcake stand (that matches my classroom theme) to display the items I need. Parents just take what item they can donate to the classroom.
This was perfect for displaying items I needed! I love being able to reuse it every year too!
I am super blessed with wonderful parents who love Amazon Prime almost as much as I do. This year, I decided to create a wish list on Amazon to share with parents. The best part is that I can add items to the list throughout the year and everything will ship right to me. I just created a QR code that parents will be able to scan and shop!
I hope this will be an easy option for my parents who want to donate to our classroom!
Check your list from Week 2 to see if there is anything you can add to your class wish list! Here are some things that I typically ask for. Click an affiliate link to see it and add it to your own wish list!
Lysol Wipes
Googly Eyes
Play Doh
Colored Paper
Stamp Pads
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (I cut them smaller and they make the best erasers!)
Band Aids
Hand Sanitizer
Mr. Sketch Markers
Game Pieces: Like this, this or this
Ziploc Bags
Oh and don’t forget THIS! One year I included it on my Amazon Wish List and it was seriously the best item ever and I use it every single school day! Such a time saver!
Tip: Try to include items at a variety of price points so parents can help at a point they feel comfortable. Also, include a note if needed: Googly Eyes can be found on the craft aisle of the Dollar Store!
Check your list from Week 2 to see if there is anything you can add to your class wish list! Here are some things that I typically ask for. Click an affiliate link to see it and add it to your own wish list!
Lysol Wipes
Googly Eyes
Play Doh
Colored Paper
Stamp Pads
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (I cut them smaller and they make the best erasers!)
Band Aids
Hand Sanitizer
Mr. Sketch Markers
Game Pieces: Like this, this or this
Ziploc Bags
Oh and don’t forget THIS! One year I included it on my Amazon Wish List and it was seriously the best item ever and I use it every single school day! Such a time saver!
Tip: Try to include items at a variety of price points so parents can help at a point they feel comfortable. Also, include a note if needed: Googly Eyes can be found on the craft aisle of the Dollar Store!
3. Make a small gift to send home with your students. There are SO many cute ideas for this one! I have done a few different things for this over the years, but my favorite thing to give my students is these little cotton candy buckets because again, it matches my circus theme! You can read all about this sweet little gift HERE.
And DO NOT feel like you have to spend a lot of money on this one. It’s all about making a great first impression and letting those sweet babies know how excited you are to get to know them. Make a video of yourself reading a special bedtime story to your students for them to watch the night before the first day of school or about yourself. A QR code will make it easy for students to watch the video, just add it to a cute graphic! I created this to have at each student’s desk that they can take home, scan the code and watch!
4. Create a check list or scavenger hunt for students to complete with their parents. Meet the Teacher Night is always crazy because there is only one of you and like a million people who want to meet and visit with you. Give your parents and kids something to do that will help them learn about the classroom and get comfortable. Here is an example of mine:
Catching up?
