Summer break is such a strange mix of moods. On one hand, you’re finally able to exhale after giving your all for ten straight months. On the other, your brain doesn’t totally shut off. You’re still thinking about routines that didn’t work, lessons you wanted to improve, that seating chart that could’ve flowed better… the list goes on.
And if you’re anything like me, even when you’re trying to relax, your teacher brain is quietly asking: “What can I do now to make next year easier?”
The good news? You don’t need to spend your summer in full on prep mode. You just need a few low-pressure, high-impact things to set yourself up for a smoother back-to-school season.
So today I’m sharing a few of the most helpful (and realistic) things teachers are doing this summer to feel more prepared, without overdoing it.
Quick Wins (15 Minutes or Less)
If your energy is low but your brain still wants to feel productive, these are the easy wins you can knock out in a single iced-coffee sitting:
- Create your “I’m Done, Now What?” chart. A small system that pays off in a big way when it comes to independent work time and classroom management (download a FREE editable chart here).
- Start your first day slideshow. A welcome message, a few routines, and your schedule… done. Prefer to have a template to start with? Check out my favorite here!
- Tidy your digital space. Clean up your Drive folders, rename confusing files, or finally delete those 22 “Untitled (3)” docs.
- Do a brain dump. Jot down everything from the past school year that you want to remember, revise, or retire. (If you want help with this, check out Part 1 of The Summer Reset Series)
- Print your bulletin board letters or work on a Meet the Teacher template. Having these ready will make your August self so happy, plus they’re low stress and cute!
You don’t need to finish anything. Writing it down, naming the file, printing one thing, still counts.
Systems to Set Up (Bit by Bit)
Think of this as behind-the-scenes prep. You’re not setting up your classroom yet, but you’re laying the groundwork so you’re not doing it all at once later.
- Prep your behavior visuals. Things like expectations posters, your behavior scale, and the 5 P’s can be ready to go in advance. Not sure what your behavior management system will look like? Read all about my 3-step system here!
- Build your daily slides. These can help streamline transitions, routines, and your schedule from Day 1.
- Tweak your classroom jobs. Revamp ones that didn’t work and make a quick list of roles to teach early on.
- Pick your first week read-alouds. Even better, pair each with a low-lift follow-up activity or discussion question. I have a list of my favorite back to school read alouds in this blog post.
- Write a few reusable parent email templates. Save a draft of your Meet the Teacher message, class announcements, communication expectations, and conference reminders. Need a place to start? Check out my Positive Communication System.
It doesn’t have to be done in one sitting. You’re just putting systems in motion now, so they’re easier to implement when the time comes.
Things to Think Through (Not Do Yet)
This is my favorite kind of summer prep: just thinking. Reflecting while things are still fresh will help you make smarter, calmer decisions later.
- What routines made your life harder than they needed to be?
- What didn’t flow well in your physical space?
- What activity, unit, or moment brought your class together in a great way?
- What’s one thing you want to try differently next year?
- What do you want your classroom to feel like next year?
You don’t need to have the answers yet! Just start asking yourself the questions.
🖨 Want a Free Checklist?
If you like this kind of low-pressure prep, I’ve made it even easier. I created a Low-Lift Summer Prep Checklist that includes everything in this post (plus a few extras!). It’s part of my Summer Reset Series and you can join in at anytime by signing up at the top of this page!
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overhaul your classroom this summer.
You don’t need a color-coded plan for August.
And you definitely don’t need to stress.
If you spend an hour organizing your digital files, pick out one read-aloud, or brainstorm how to tweak a routine… that’s enough.
Prep doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be light, thoughtful, and on your terms.
So take what you need. Leave what you don’t. Let your teacher brain rest a little easier knowing you’ve already done something small (but powerful) for next year.
You’ve got this. 💛
This is Part 2 of the Summer Reset Series
The Summer Reset Series is a 5-part collection of teacher tools, blog posts, and freebies to help you go back to school with confidence without the burnout.
- Summer Brain Dump & Reflection Planner
- Low-Lift Summer Prep Checklist
- Budget-Friendly Classroom Starter Kit
- Classroom Library Starter Guide
- Icebreaker Idea Deck for Grades 3–5
These are quick wins and calming tools to help you prep with intention (and still enjoy your summer). I’ll see you in the next installment of the Summer Reset!