5 Must Do's Before Break | Teacher Tips | The Lettered Classroom

[@everydayblue7798]

I like to do a big deep clean and declutter. I got caught up all grading all the papers. I planned my lessons for four weeks and made all the copies I would need. We also worked ahead on other graphic organizers and tools we make ourselves to help us with our curriculum. It's a lot of work!

[@BridgingLiteracy]

It is sooo much work, but it feels great knowing that it’s done. ☺️

[@JesseB38]

Great advice! As a first year teacher, I wish I would have watched this sooner. I am using a few days during break to refresh and recharge myself and my classroom. It makes me feel better and have less anxiety when I go back.

[@lesleycarmichael6422]

Such great advice. I did most. We have a work day the first day back after break, so I plan on doing the anchor charts then. But graded, cleaned, and planned!

[@toschaferguson5749]

My students did all the cleaning and they loved it

[@morganwilliams3301]

They give us a PD day to do all of this before we return from Christmas break. We set up a mini plan for when we return. This may be a lot of work for me to put into one day, but I couldn’t take being at school anymore. We didn’t get out till December 22nd for break. I didn’t know if I would make it to break. You have my upmost respect for doing this before leaving for break. I just cleaned my room and left when we got out.

[@systemtim]

This is a great set of tips. Thank you. In return I would like to offer some advice. As a teacher of 35 years and an education safety officer, standing on furniture is one of the highest causes of teacher accidents every year often leading to broken bones and in one case I investigated a death through head injury. Please don’t stand on furniture.

[@ali-boop]

Yes. My friend got super injured this way. She fell and her mini fridge fell on her.

[@systemtim]

Just investigated another one from last week, teacher stood on radiator to put christmas decorations up, slipped fell and now has a broken arm and collarbone for Christmas! Don’t do it folks it simply is not worth it.

[@swelnel1669]

I teach 5th and I use a “pre-break organization” checklist. The checklist has two sections, one for the classroom and one for their binder. The classroom section includes things like cleaning out their desks and where to store their workbooks, and the binder section tells them what types of papers to keep and what to throw away for each subject. I really like using the checklist for helping them organize the day before a long break because as long as I am supervising, they can work fairly independently and at their own pace. Then, if they get finished early, they can help me with deep cleaning!

[@swelnel1669]

Also- it helps me make sure I have access to any books whose work I haven’t yet checked

[@trevorrogers2000]

Happy Holidays Everyone! I don't really clean anything but my desk in the locker room. I live the video. One other thing I do before break is give each of my students one of those colored candy canes. I also plan before I leave so I don't have to during break. When I saw the part when the file holder I was like "oh no!" Hope your holiday is fun Bridget!

[@coffeeatthecross]

This was SO helpful and inspiring! Thank-you!

[@PrincessImaani]

I totally agree with you. This is great advice. Thank you for sharing. I always plan and semi prepare for my new term so I can enjoy my holidays.

[@BridgingLiteracy]

Thank you very much! Happy to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@alexandrapetri2356]

i’m not a teacher nor an adult but am i still watching this? yes.

[@kirstenbush6762]

Great advice and very motivating! I’m still in the process of my teacher education program and today I just finished my term that was very intense with so much work. I finally get my first break which is 3 weeks long! This motivates me to prepare now for next term by going through my Google Drive and organizing all my paperwork.

[@ClaudiaSanchez-1991]

I wish this video had come out sooner. I’m already on break but we get three weeks off and the first day back is professional development! I guess I could go back a day earlier or so and do some of this things. Our district bought new furniture so we got rid of the desks like the ones you have!

[@jenniferrosenthal7731]

My district bought new and we have ones like she has- they are truly awful

[@charlangethompson1982]

Great video, I noticed your binders in the background. How did you setup your binders?

[@patriciashawwatkins2901]

Thank you, and have a great winter break!🥳

[@michelleadair3755]

So helpful!! Thank you so much! 100 percent you know very well how it is. I’m going through my to do list right now! Lol

[@AndreaGonzalez-rw3vn]

Hello thank you for the advice! I was wondering what app or calendar you use on your iPad to keep organized ?

[@ruthresetar5940]

I got Covid the week before break. I have no idea what my room looks like, and I am still too sick to care. Two things I know: It will all be there when I get back, and any planning will go out the window by 8:05 the 1st day back. Admin already has a data project for us to do.

[@sirabunyan6395]

I hope you feel better soon

[@ruthresetar5940]

@@sirabunyan6395 Thank you. It has been rough road.

[@Sunnyside810]

I can’t wait to quit this profession.

[@chanelmeyerr]

Love this advice!

[@heathercharlton6528]

Great advice! By the way,how is the bubble gum machine working out?

[@BridgingLiteracy]

They LOVE the bubble gum machine! We did fairly often and I’ve tied my book challenge to it as well! So as kids reach 10/20/30/40 they get to go to the machine ☺️ this was the best add on.

[@ralphnestorowicz4934]

My 6th grade teacher yelled at me for my bad organization instead of encouraging me to do better.

[@sirabunyan6395]

I am in 6th grade

[@Sunnyside810]

Ugh I hate teaching. I don’t know how you are still excited about it. Dreading the end of break.