I'm like you. I get a notebook, too. I use a composition book. I start somewhere between spring break and Memorial Day. I put tabs on it to make sections, i.e., Materials( to buy or get), Floor plan/bulletin boards sketches, Curriculum, Ideas, First Week lessons, and Anchor charts. I write in it whenever inspiration strikes me. This year was the first time in my 20+ years career that I taught 5th grade( It was on purpose. There were 3 state tests. Plus, my old district all 5th grades went to overnight camp with their teachers. No, thank you!) So, I started a Google doc to write my ideas of how to improve for next year. I shared it with my paraprofessional. Since I put most of my ideas there, I printed them out and taped it into my composition book. I felt very stressed at the end of the year. But I feel very prepared for next year. 😂
In my 2nd year of teaching I moved into a retired teacher's classroom. I swear she must have walked out with only her purse on the last day of school because that room was jam packed with all kinds of stuff. It was a nightmare trying to go through everything. Thank you for sharing these great tips!
I'm a first year teacher and my class was completely empty. Only a teacher desk in the corner. Not even coat hooks in the closet. I wish I could get my hands on some of those excess supplies. I have to buy everything, and I have no idea what to buy. The district is supplying desks for the kids, but that's about it. I don't have books for a library. I don't have any basics. Wish I did. 🙂
@@rebeccagierisch5307 That's a really good point. It would be nice if some teachers actually left stuff you wanted or could use. I think it's when they leave things like 30 bottles of old dried up glue, dried up markers and half used consumables from 4 years ago is when it becomes a problem.
@@rebeccagierisch5307 when I was leaving my first school, I made a box of decor that I didn't want & left it for the new teachers in the upcoming year
I'm sorry about the room with the retired teacher's things. In her defense, maybe she thought she was being helpful? When you get to that age and time, you want to "leave it all on the field". When my late aunt retired from 38 years of teaching high school English, she told her colleagues to go through her files to get what they wanted. She told her students to go into her closets to get all the school supplies they would need for next year. Her last day was April 30. She missed the prom and graduation( she usually ran that). She only picked up her purse and walked out. 🙂
@msrachelvincent In my old school district, my teacher association often had bazaars. Veteran and retiring teachers would donate their school materials by leaving them in the union hall. We'd arrange them and invite new teachers and teachers of new grades to come and pick out some things. I teach in a public charter school. This year, we cleaned out my closets and put the things I didn't need in the staff room for others to come and get. Well, other staff put their things out, too. So we had a mini bazaar the last few weeks of school.😃
Thank you for being real abd amazing. I have been teaching for over 20 yrs and i just can't seem to have a sytem. My brain 🧠 is always overwhelmed. Please help. I'm going to keep watching your videos for now. Xo ❤
Writing things down really helps me to feel less overwhelmed! There's so much we have to think about and your brains are designed to process not store.
Such great ideas!! My huge takeaway was having a designated notebook for back to school notes and ideas. As I continued watching your video I grabbed spiral watermelon designed notebook I hadn't decided what to use it for and started adding some letter stickers to it : "Back To School Prep" So exicted to start adding my post its and small notes Ive already made. Thanks for sharing!!
Great ideas! I have been teaching for a long time but I got a couple new ideas from you! I like the idea of setting up zones - especially for when someone brings you things! Also liked the tools on a cart idea. I can’t tell you the number of times I had to circle the room looking for scissors, tape etc!
I like your ideas about 1) organizing by____ dates. My Back to School Night is after the first day of school. I will make a list for that. 2) taking a picture of the room and putting it in Google slides.
The only things i want from your old room are paperwork that tells me the routines students are used to, updated records (I'm a band teacher who just had to organize and create a huge instrument and sheet music catalog to know what i have), and a cleaned environment.
Hello, I teach fifth grade and I'm so grateful for you posting. I have never seen the trick with the painters tape with the letters for the bulliten board! MIND BLOWN! POOF! What a game changer LOL!
Thank you for this video. Going into a new classroom, I need to sit down and make my to do lists so hopefully when we can go in I will know what to do instead of feeling overwhelmed and get things done that I can at home. Again, thanks!
I'm a first year teacher and my class was completely empty. Only a teacher desk in the corner. Not even coat hooks in the closet. I wish I could get my hands on some of those excess supplies. I have to buy everything, and I have no idea what to buy. The district is supplying desks for the kids, but that's about it. I don't have books for a library. I don't have any basics. Wish I did. 🙂
That’s stinks that your school isn’t providing much. Just know, that social media makes you think you need a bunch of stuff but in reality, you can still teach your students without all the things. I made a video last summer about what to get your first year. But make an Amazon Wishlist and share on social media and maybe friends and families can help out. ruclips.net/video/Qlv_gSOSRW0/видео.html
That is my scenario. School starts in a few days I was just given a classroom and it's all empty and just has desks and chairs. I am a first year high school teacher for 9th graders. I am trying to decorate and buy supplies and I have been so anxious that my room is no where near set up and I don't have nothing for the students 😢. Everything comes out of our pockets
I'm so sorry you're going through all this! Just know that decorations don't matter at the end of the day. Create things with your students. Let your students create things...build your classroom as you go this year.
@@msrachelvincent Thank you for that. Sometimes it's hard to remember we all started in a similar way. I was getting discouraged that my classroom wasn't as put together as other teachers. I went out and spent so much money and it's still nowhere near what I would like it to be.
Do you have a video on the essential supplies/resources needed in a classroom(for us first year teachers)? Also, thank you for the tips for Meet the Teacher. I made a list and have already started on it.
I'm only two minutes into your video, and I feel so lucky to have found your video and channel. I'm going to be a first year teacher. I like to run an organized classroom, so I'm hoping your tips will help me have a smoother first year of teaching! :)
How do you organize your class library in those cube organizers? Is there a sticker on each book that needs to be returned to the correct cube? Do you stack the books in each cube?
Yes, and each book is labeled with the number that corresponds with the bin. I find kids do a better job at keeping the library organized when they just have to match a number.
That's cool. I have had 8 grades, 9 schools, 10 buildings(not including a temporary classroom outside), 26 classroom setups(not including the years I taught summer school), in 2 states. If I had stayed in the first state, 2024-2025 would have been my last one. But, it'll be a little while. Oh, well.
@msrachelvincent I remember an old veteran teacher I met my first few years. She used to say, "I have forgotten more [sic instructional/academic] things than you have learned yet." 😀 She was right, and now I understand what she meant.
I am so happy I found you and your channel. It is so refreshing to see a teacher RUclipsr who has quality, no-frills content that I can actually learn from. I am going into my ninth year of teaching, and I'll be in a brand new classroom, school, and district. I cannot wait to set up my classroom, and I will definitely be using your tips. Looking forward to more videos from you!
Thank you so much for this! When I first started posting, I was worried because I don't really do the teaching vlogs that are so popular. I wasn't sure people wanted these types of videos, but I'm glad I made them anyway!
@@msrachelvincent Exactly! I always say, even if it reaches one person, you've made a positive contribution to the teaching world. And you're definitely helping more than one! Keep them coming! 🙂
I just discovered your channel and love it! I have been teaching the same about of time as you, Rachel, but still find your tips and tricks helpful. I even purchased your "kick start your school year" blueprint to help organize my thoughts and ideas. I do have one question, though. Who is the author of "Dream Big"? I tried googling it and so many choices popped up. Thank you for all of the content you share! It is so helpful!!! Please continue the great videos you provide to us!
I'm like you. I get a notebook, too. I use a composition book. I start somewhere between spring break and Memorial Day. I put tabs on it to make sections, i.e., Materials( to buy or get), Floor plan/bulletin boards sketches, Curriculum, Ideas, First Week lessons, and Anchor charts. I write in it whenever inspiration strikes me. This year was the first time in my 20+ years career that I taught 5th grade( It was on purpose. There were 3 state tests. Plus, my old district all 5th grades went to overnight camp with their teachers. No, thank you!) So, I started a Google doc to write my ideas of how to improve for next year. I shared it with my paraprofessional. Since I put most of my ideas there, I printed them out and taped it into my composition book. I felt very stressed at the end of the year. But I feel very prepared for next year. 😂
I love how detailed you are! My notebook is just a bunch of random lists!😂
I am a first year last minute hire. Your tips are a life saver. Thank you.
So happy they're helpful! Hope you have an amazing year!
In my 2nd year of teaching I moved into a retired teacher's classroom. I swear she must have walked out with only her purse on the last day of school because that room was jam packed with all kinds of stuff. It was a nightmare trying to go through everything. Thank you for sharing these great tips!
That is the worst!! I'm so sorry you had to do that. Admin really should make sure this doesn't happen.
I'm a first year teacher and my class was completely empty. Only a teacher desk in the corner. Not even coat hooks in the closet. I wish I could get my hands on some of those excess supplies. I have to buy everything, and I have no idea what to buy. The district is supplying desks for the kids, but that's about it. I don't have books for a library. I don't have any basics. Wish I did. 🙂
@@rebeccagierisch5307 That's a really good point. It would be nice if some teachers actually left stuff you wanted or could use. I think it's when they leave things like 30 bottles of old dried up glue, dried up markers and half used consumables from 4 years ago is when it becomes a problem.
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@@rebeccagierisch5307 when I was leaving my first school, I made a box of decor that I didn't want & left it for the new teachers in the upcoming year
I'm sorry about the room with the retired teacher's things. In her defense, maybe she thought she was being helpful? When you get to that age and time, you want to "leave it all on the field". When my late aunt retired from 38 years of teaching high school English, she told her colleagues to go through her files to get what they wanted. She told her students to go into her closets to get all the school supplies they would need for next year. Her last day was April 30. She missed the prom and graduation( she usually ran that). She only picked up her purse and walked out. 🙂
Yeah, I totally understand that. And honestly...what is a retired teaching going to do with all that stuff anyway.
@msrachelvincent In my old school district, my teacher association often had bazaars. Veteran and retiring teachers would donate their school materials by leaving them in the union hall. We'd arrange them and invite new teachers and teachers of new grades to come and pick out some things. I teach in a public charter school. This year, we cleaned out my closets and put the things I didn't need in the staff room for others to come and get. Well, other staff put their things out, too. So we had a mini bazaar the last few weeks of school.😃
Thank you for being real abd amazing. I have been teaching for over 20 yrs and i just can't seem to have a sytem. My brain 🧠 is always overwhelmed. Please help. I'm going to keep watching your videos for now. Xo ❤
Writing things down really helps me to feel less overwhelmed! There's so much we have to think about and your brains are designed to process not store.
Wow! Im glad a found you. I'm a military spouse - we just retired and I am returning to the classroom after a life time. Thank you.
Welcome back! I grew up in a military family so thank you for the sacrifice you and your spouse made! Congrats on retirement!
Such great ideas!! My huge takeaway was having a designated notebook for back to school notes and ideas. As I continued watching your video I grabbed spiral watermelon designed notebook I hadn't decided what to use it for and started adding some letter stickers to it : "Back To School Prep" So exicted to start adding my post its and small notes Ive already made. Thanks for sharing!!
Yes! It's so nice to look back at what I did last year to remind myself what I need to do this year!
Great ideas! I have been teaching for a long time but I got a couple new ideas from you! I like the idea of setting up zones - especially for when someone brings you things! Also liked the tools on a cart idea. I can’t tell you the number of times I had to circle the room looking for scissors, tape etc!
Yes!! The cart helps! But don’t be like me and not put the supplies back on your cart! Lol…I spent 30 minutes looking for my stapler 🤦🏻♀️
I like your ideas about 1) organizing by____ dates. My Back to School Night is after the first day of school. I will make a list for that. 2) taking a picture of the room and putting it in Google slides.
Organizing by dates really helps me focus on what's the most important tasks to get done.
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas for setting up my classroom! Your meet-the-teacher suggestions are truly helpful! You're the best!
I'm so glad they helped you!
The only things i want from your old room are paperwork that tells me the routines students are used to, updated records (I'm a band teacher who just had to organize and create a huge instrument and sheet music catalog to know what i have), and a cleaned environment.
Exactly! No one ones all that other stuff!
THIS WAS SO HELPFUL! Thank you so much for such a helpful video and healthy mindset
I'm so glad! I hope you have an amazing school year!
Hello,
I teach fifth grade and I'm so grateful for you posting. I have never seen the trick with the painters tape with the letters for the bulliten board! MIND BLOWN! POOF! What a game changer LOL!
Yes it is a complete game changer!!
Thank you for this video. Going into a new classroom, I need to sit down and make my to do lists so hopefully when we can go in I will know what to do instead of feeling overwhelmed and get things done that I can at home. Again, thanks!
You can do it! It will probably still feel a little overwhelming, but to do lists will give you something to focus on!
Thank you. This information was very helpful!
So glad!
I'm a first year teacher and my class was completely empty. Only a teacher desk in the corner. Not even coat hooks in the closet. I wish I could get my hands on some of those excess supplies. I have to buy everything, and I have no idea what to buy. The district is supplying desks for the kids, but that's about it. I don't have books for a library. I don't have any basics. Wish I did. 🙂
That’s stinks that your school isn’t providing much. Just know, that social media makes you think you need a bunch of stuff but in reality, you can still teach your students without all the things. I made a video last summer about what to get your first year. But make an Amazon Wishlist and share on social media and maybe friends and families can help out.
ruclips.net/video/Qlv_gSOSRW0/видео.html
Your video is exactly what I need to watch before school begins. Thank you so much!
You are so welcome! I'm glad it's helpful!
That is my scenario. School starts in a few days I was just given a classroom and it's all empty and just has desks and chairs. I am a first year high school teacher for 9th graders. I am trying to decorate and buy supplies and I have been so anxious that my room is no where near set up and I don't have nothing for the students 😢. Everything comes out of our pockets
I'm so sorry you're going through all this! Just know that decorations don't matter at the end of the day. Create things with your students. Let your students create things...build your classroom as you go this year.
@@msrachelvincent Thank you for that. Sometimes it's hard to remember we all started in a similar way. I was getting discouraged that my classroom wasn't as put together as other teachers. I went out and spent so much money and it's still nowhere near what I would like it to be.
Great advice as always! Thank you!!!
You are so welcome!
Do you have a video on the essential supplies/resources needed in a classroom(for us first year teachers)? Also, thank you for the tips for Meet the Teacher. I made a list and have already started on it.
Yes! I made a video about this last summer!
ruclips.net/video/Qlv_gSOSRW0/видео.html
I'm only two minutes into your video, and I feel so lucky to have found your video and channel. I'm going to be a first year teacher. I like to run an organized classroom, so I'm hoping your tips will help me have a smoother first year of teaching! :)
Yay! Welcome to teaching!! It’s going to be a crazy ride but a fun one!!
How do you organize your class library in those cube organizers? Is there a sticker on each book that needs to be returned to the correct cube?
Do you stack the books in each cube?
Yes, and each book is labeled with the number that corresponds with the bin. I find kids do a better job at keeping the library organized when they just have to match a number.
That's cool. I have had 8 grades, 9 schools, 10 buildings(not including a temporary classroom outside), 26 classroom setups(not including the years I taught summer school), in 2 states. If I had stayed in the first state, 2024-2025 would have been my last one. But, it'll be a little while. Oh, well.
I'm sure you have a wealth of knowledge with all your years of experience!
@msrachelvincent I remember an old veteran teacher I met my first few years. She used to say, "I have forgotten more [sic instructional/academic] things than you have learned yet." 😀 She was right, and now I understand what she meant.
I am so happy I found you and your channel. It is so refreshing to see a teacher RUclipsr who has quality, no-frills content that I can actually learn from. I am going into my ninth year of teaching, and I'll be in a brand new classroom, school, and district. I cannot wait to set up my classroom, and I will definitely be using your tips. Looking forward to more videos from you!
Thank you so much for this! When I first started posting, I was worried because I don't really do the teaching vlogs that are so popular. I wasn't sure people wanted these types of videos, but I'm glad I made them anyway!
@@msrachelvincent Exactly! I always say, even if it reaches one person, you've made a positive contribution to the teaching world. And you're definitely helping more than one! Keep them coming! 🙂
Great ideas always, thanks!
Glad you like them!
I just discovered your channel and love it! I have been teaching the same about of time as you, Rachel, but still find your tips and tricks helpful. I even purchased your "kick start your school year" blueprint to help organize my thoughts and ideas. I do have one question, though. Who is the author of "Dream Big"? I tried googling it and so many choices popped up. Thank you for all of the content you share! It is so helpful!!! Please continue the great videos you provide to us!
Wonderful! I'm so glad you're here!! The author is Deloris Jordan
Awesome, this helps so much!!!😁
I'm so happy to hear that!
Thank You!!!!
You're welcome!
Hi, what does Receipt mean on your file cabinet?
It's where I keep my receipt book for field trips, etc.
Thank you for this :)
No problem 😊
hi ms vincent its luke
HI LUKE!!! Hope you are having a great summer!!!