Have you received your teaching assignment for the next school year? Are you teaching the same grade level and subject or are you starting a new teaching job in science?
Either way, how exciting! If you have the same job assignment, you already know the ropes and can continue to improve your craft. If you are starting something new, or maybe teaching science for the first time, it’s also great to take on a new challenge!
If you are starting in a new position, whether teaching science for the first time or teaching a new grade level, there are some things you can do to get started on your journey to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when the new school year begins!

Preparing Over Summer Break
Now, before you get to doing too much this summer, please rest and relax! Check out these things that teachers should do on summer break!
However, teachers know, the job is never really finished. There are always things to do, even in the summer months! If you are starting a new position, you will have to prepare. The week that they give you before teaching begins is nowhere CLOSE to enough!
Here are some things to look into over summer break.
Familiarize Yourself With The Science Standards
If you are starting a new position, it wouldn’t hurt to become familiar with the new science standards you’ll be teaching over the summer. I’m not saying that you need to break down the standards piece-by-piece but just take a look at it every now and then to start the brainstorming ideas!
- Make sure you can find where the standards are located. Your district make have a hub where these standards can be found and resources that go with it.
- Make sure you can understand the structure of these standards. Most standards are organized in the grade levels or grade bands. Focus on the key components over the summer. Like I said, you are on break, so don’t worry about diving into the details. There will be time for that.
- Brainstorm! I wouldn’t worry about creating a detailed plan for the school year. SO much can change over the summer. Administration could change you to a new position in a heartbeat!
Teach in a school where there are no standards? That is awesome! Start thinking about what you want to teach your students.
Summer break is a time of rest, relaxation, inspiration, rejuvenation, and more! Don’t get bogged down in the details. Let ideas, inspiration, and overall exploration take over.
Connect With “Your People”
To gain more excitement for your new grade level or position, connect with “your people”. If you can connect with other teachers locally over the break, that could be fun! Especially if you have a teacher bestie.
Don’t have that kind of connection? I feel you! You can connect with those online. There are SO many teachers online that are full of ideas, tips, and tricks to motivate and inspire you this summer.
Here are some of my favorite science teachers to follow on Instagram!
Bright in the Middle (of course 😊)
I also like to get inspiration from:
Think About Your Classroom Décor
Like I said, summer is a time of resting, relaxing, and enjoying all of the good things. For me, thinking about classroom décor brings me joy!
If it doesn’t bring you joy, you can skip this step. If it’s motivating for you, go for it!
So, how will you decorate your classroom? Will you have a theme? (yes, middle school can have a theme).
Some of my favorite and easy classroom décor ideas include word walls (pretty and effective) and fun bulletin board ideas!
There is SO much inspiration online with beautiful, fabulous, and creative classrooms. Search “classroom makeover” in Pinterest and thank me later!

The First Few Months of School
Over the summer, you will learn a thing or two about what you will be teaching, you will gain a lot of tips, tricks, and ideas from “your people”, and you will have ideas to decorate your classroom and to make your classroom your home away from home. Now what do you do the first few months of school?
Let’s dive in!
Create Your Space
The first few weeks of school (work days and school days) can be so overwhelming. There is always so much to do and not enough time.
I know that some schools do allow you to come in over the summer time to work in your classroom, and yours may do that as well. If you hate to wait until the last minute, this may be a good option.
If you are not about that life, don’t fret. YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE YOUR CLASSROOM FULLY DECORATED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Of course, you need the basics and to make sure it’s functional, safe, and inviting, but if you have a million ideas and not enough time, this can be a project you work on over the first few weeks of school. Your students would actually like to see the little changes you make and may actually help you!
Create your science space that works perfectly for your classroom in the time that it works best for you!
Create a Pacing Guide
Another essential item for your new teaching assignment (or any for that matter) is to create a pacing guide. You should have an overview of what you plan to teach the whole year, but really focus on one quarter or one semester at a time, because things WILL change.
Over here in NC, a hurricane day, snow day, or something else always changes around the schedule!
As you create your pacing guide and lesson ideas, keep the WOW Factor in mind! How many days do you need to get them excited about the topic? How many days will you need to teach a particular topic? What are the most important topics to teach for your state?
Don’t be afraid to ask a fellow teacher for assistance in creating one!
Ask For Supplies
Don’t be afraid to ask for supplies that you need from your administration. A lot of times, they have money that needs to be spent. If you are teaching a new grade level or are new to the subject, you will need supplies!
This could be physical supplies like lab materials, or it could be online resources like those on TPT or a teaching resource membership that you are interested in.
You’ll never know unless you ask!
Build Rapport
Last, but definitely not least, build rapport. If you are at a new school, build relationships with all staff and students. You know how they say that “It takes a village to raise a child.”? It surely takes a village to teach all of those children in a school building.
If you are teaching a new grade level, get to know the new teachers you are working with. Maybe you’ll make a new teacher bestie!
As always, build rapport with your students! When you have this, teaching a new subject or grade level will always work out!
Looking for ways to improve your teaching?
Help your students master science content!

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