How to Get Organized for Back to School—and Stay That Way All Year
The first few weeks of school are a whirlwind of name tags, seating charts, and “Where do I put this?” But staying organized doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. A few simple systems can set you (and your students) up for success all year long.
Below, I’m sharing three of my favorite ways to save time, reduce stress, and keep your classroom running smoothly—plus ready-to-go resources you can use right away. Keep reading to learn how to get organized for back to school – and stay that way all year!
Prep Seasonal Resources Early
Nothing feels better than knowing you have activities ready before every holiday. Instead of scrambling the week before Halloween or December break, try prepping a little of your seasonal activities and materials now..
This doesn’t mean to have lesson plans written out completely from now until Christmas, but pulling holiday activities that you know you’ll want to use ahead of time will free up a lot of time in the long run!
✨ Tip: One of the simplest ways to get ahead is to grab complete, ready-to-go lesson plans for each season. I’ve created one-week lesson plans for several parts of the year so you don’t have to start from scratch!
I’ve shared images of each set of lesson plans below, but make sure to click on them to get the complete set of lesson plans, including links and even freebies!
You can use the plans entirely or just pick and choose a few activities that fit you and your classroom best. These plans are also great to have on stand-by if you need a substitute last minute.
Each set includes engaging, low-prep activities for math, reading, and writing to help you start (or finish) the semester strong.
Even sketching out a rough outline of your future lessons helps you:
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Reduce last-minute scrambling
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See how skills build over time
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Feel more confident and calm
✨ Tip: Use a simple planning template to track objectives, materials, and assessments. Having everything in one place helps you see exactly what you need for each lesson at a glance. Try creating a weekly planning sheet with columns for:
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Learning Objectives: What skills or standards are you targeting?
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Materials & Prep: What copies, books, or supplies do you need?
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Activities & Timing: How you’ll break down the lesson into manageable parts
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Assessment: How you’ll measure student understanding
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Notes & Reflections: What worked well? What will you adjust next time?
A clear template not only saves time but also makes it easy to share plans with colleagues, subs, or support staff.
Want even more of a head start to get organized for back to school?
My Year-Long Holiday Activity Bundle includes a full year’s worth seasonal reading, math, and writing activities so you always have something engaging ready to go—no extra prep required!
Use Consistent Systems
Keeping your materials organized doesn’t have to be complicated. Having a consistent system for lesson plans, behavior documentation, and parent communication can save you hours.
Here are a few ideas:
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Create a binder (or digital folder) with your most-used templates.
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Use the same format for lesson plans every week.
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Have clear procedures for documenting student behavior.
I love using Editable Behavior Charts to quickly track daily behavior in a positive, visual way—and they’re easy to share with families each week. You can read more about how I like to use the behavior charts by clicking here!
✨ Tip: Pair behavior calendars with Editable Monthly Newsletters to keep parents in the loop and build a strong classroom community.
Explore Editable Behavior Calendars here
Check out Editable Monthly Newsletters here
You’ve Got This!
You’re already doing incredible work to prepare for a smooth, successful year. With a few simple systems and some ready-to-use resources, you’ll feel confident and organized from the first day to the last.
If you’re ready to simplify your planning and save time, here are some favorites teachers love:
Wishing you the smoothest, happiest school year yet!
