Back to School: Signs and Printed Materials for Teachers and Principals
By Steve Peha, Staples® Contributing Writer
Back to school isn’t just for parents and kids. Teachers, principals and PTA/O leaders have their own lists of supplies and activities to start the new school year. Here are some printed items that should definitely be on teachers’ classroom ideas lists and principals’ back to school checklists:
Laminated Teaching & Classroom Materials. From reusable sign-up sheets (coupled with a wipe-off marker set) and instructions to durable graphic organizers and other printables, lamination is a teacher’s best friend. Safeguarding these papers reduces costs associated with constant reprinting. Bonus tip: Paulette Baker Eubanks, a retired kindergarten teacher in Kansas City, KS, recommends laminating paper components used in literacy and math games so they stand up to repeated use.
Posters. Using custom-designed hallway posters reinforces school values and aspirations, and provides short-term directions to events or meeting spaces. Classroom posters are great for displaying procedures, sharing instructional tips and inspiring students. Don’t forget to include posters as classroom décor, creating or buying posters that reflect your personality as a teacher.
Flyers, Brochures and Postcards. These formats are useful vehicles for sharing information with parents on topics like school policies (BYOD, weather or Internet use), vaccination schedules or even learn-at-home tips for snow days. Principals, teachers and PTOs also use them to promote open houses, class or school trips and club or school-wide fundraisers. Flyers, brochures and postcards are effective because “they provide a physical, tangible piece of information parents can look at and put on the fridge if need be. You want to make sure parents see and hear about events a couple of times,” says Desiree Watson, a Chapin, SC-based PR pro and PTO officer.
Banners & Yard Signs. Banners welcoming students and parents are at the top of many principals’ back to school checklists. Hang banners at the main entrance to your building and significant spaces like the cafeteria, library and gym. Use yard signs to assist parents with wayfinding through your parking lot and kiss-and-go lanes, and to promote events like open houses and parent-teacher conference times.
Mugs & Mouse Pads. Welcome new teachers, aides and staffers to your school with a custom mug or mouse pad emblazoned with a photo of your building and your school logo or mascot, which can help build a sense of community. Bonus tip: These also make practical and affordable gifts for volunteers.
Calendars. Almost every adult in a school needs a calendar to mark key events in the school year. A custom wall calendar using your own photos personalizes your desk area. But calendars can also be teaching tools, especially for younger students. Use a classroom wall calendar to help students in the primary grades count up to the one-hundredthday of school. Eubanks also suggests using calendars to teach mathematical patterns, such as AAB or ABBA. Have kids extend the pattern across days of the calendar and ask them to predict the next set of numbers. As the year progresses, make the patterns more complicated. “I also use the calendar to count by twos or by fives, and to teach the concepts of yesterday, today, tomorrow and ‘what comes next’.” For older students, use calendars to teach students to estimate how long it will take to read a book or to plan deadlines for teamwork or project-based learning.
These signs and other printed materials will get you ready for the back to school season and ensure a smooth start to the year. Look for educator rewards programs, deals and specials at local retailers to ensure you get the most from your investment.