That time is almost upon us (I know..!) This year is going to be a Here are my 5 top tips for Back to School!  Start off on the right foot and get ready!  Click here to check out a quick video of this post on my Facebook page.

As you ran out in June, things got shoved into folders, put away and forgotten.  I know I have a folder of random papers I need to sort. Make sure you take a half a day and get rid of all the old papers. Scan things you need to keep and save them as a PDF.  The more you store digitally, the less you have to keep a copy of in a file cabinet.  Titles are so much easier to search through than several folders in a drawer!

For my middle school classes, I keep a file of papers that go into their binders throughout the year. The handbook, handouts I make for the beginning of the year, templates, and even copies of their weekly/monthly logs they do for me. Having that folder made it SO much easier when I had a student come into the class two months into the year.

If you are on Facebook, join a few forums, and follow a few great pages.  They are by far one of the most helpful things I use during the year. In a building where you have no other music colleagues, it can get lonely, or even frustrating if you need an educated opinion.  In the Facebook forums, I can usually get a great answer from several people in a quick minute.

Some of my favorite groups to collaborate with other teachers:
Music Teachers
Band Directors
I’m a Choir Director
Mrs. Stouffer’s Collaborative

Some of my favorite pages with great info:
MusEdBlogs
TpTMusicCrew

This sounds a little overwhelming, but the best thing you can do is decide where you want your students to be at the end of the year.  Start an excel file with multiple pages for each grade level.

Set the top row to set your categories (rhythm, melody, dancing, history, whatever else you need to focus on). Set the first column for each month. In each box, type your goal for the month.  What do you want your students to be able to do any the end of each month? What are you going to work on? What do they need to be able to do?  Read a rhythm, write it, or say it dictate it? You can download a template for free here:

I don’t mean for school, I mean YOU! I really struggle with the most during the year. I never plan time for me. This year, one of my first goals is to plan time for me to relax, rejuvenate, and go home and not work every night.

Hi, my name is Melissa and I’m a workaholic.

It’s super important that you as a person takes time for you.  I’m sure you’ve heard this.  Blah blah.. yeah. I know.  So let’s make a goal together.  This year, I’m planning on taking at least 1 day a week to do something non-school related for me.  If I go to dinner with my husband, if I go shop with my mom, or hang out with a coworker after school, I know I need to do that.  Will you join me?  Stop by my Facebook page and let me know how you are going to plan time for yourself!

Melissa

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