No matter what you do over the summer, it’s really important that you take time for yourself so you can recharge. Without realizing it, summer can just fly by and leave you wondering where the time went. Think of these teacher summer checklists as suggested activities and NOT as to-do lists.
What activities will actually bring you joy OR make you feel prepared for the new year?
Teacher Summer Challenge – Ideas to Recharge!
Take time to slow down and savor your summer break. Whether you have a couple months or only a couple weeks, it’s important to do some things that make you feel good.
Here are some recharge ideas you may not have thought of!
- Plan a perfect morning to sleep in
- Have an extra cup of coffee and stay on the couch longer than you normally do one morning
- Go for a walk
- Go to the garden center and choose some flowers or a new plant
- Get in the water (pool, ocean, lake, local creek)
- Get out of town and get a change of scenery
- Read a book for fun
- Spend a whole day in your pajamas
- Go out to eat
- Stay up late
- Try a new recipe
- Spend time with a friend
- Buy a new candle, air freshener, or oil diffuser for your space
- Have a special drink
- Have a special dessert
- Grill outside
- Take a bubble bath
- Go to a shopping center and browse all the cute shops (Take photos of gift ideas for yourself or others!)
- Make a fruit salad
- Paint your nails or get a manicure/pedicure
- Stay up late and look at the stars (check out the Skymap app to help you know what you are looking at!)
- Listen to an audio book or download a new book to your Kindle
- Go on a road trip or a spontaneous stay-cation
- Make homemade lemonade
- Go to a sporting event
- Have a picnic (at a local park or even in your own backyard)
- Binge watch a TV show that you’ve been wanting to watch
- Make homemade pizzas
- Go to the movie theater
- Go to a summer festival or county fair
- Lay on a blanket in the grass, feel the sun, and watch the clouds
- Listen to a podcast
- Do a fun directed painting by yourself, with your kids, or with a friend! (Check out paintingtogogh.com for video tutorials you can do from home!)
- Go to the library or a bookstore and choose something for yourself
- Buy something for your home or your car that makes you happy
- Send a card to someone in the mail
- Call a friend you need to catch up with
- Visit your family
Summer To Dos That Can Make You Feel Like You Got Things Accomplished
First, make a list of some things that you wish you had time or energy to do during the school year. Is there some area of your home that really needs cleaning or organizing and you haven’t had a chance to get around to it? Are there things on your to-do list that just *need* to get done?
- Clean out your closets (If you have kids, find out what doesn’t fit them anymore and make a list of what is needed for next year.)
- Get a new outfit or two for next year
- Shop for comfy shoes
- Dust
- Make your appointments (doctor, haircut, dentist, etc…)
- Try new recipes and find some new meals you can add to your rotation next year
- Make freezer meals
- Carpet clean
- Clean out your garage
- Wash your car or vacuum and clean out the inside
- Handle any car maintenance
- Organize and restock your pantry
- Get a box of assorted greeting cards and order stamps so you have them at the ready
- Clean your fridge
- Wash your curtains or clean under furniture
- Make an Amazon wishlist of gift ideas for yourself, friends, or family members (the holidays will sneak up on you, and having ideas already saved in a wishlist is so helpful!)
Summer Ideas for Teachers Who WANT to Think About School
If this isn’t you, that’s okay. Everyone needs different things out of their summer break. Some teachers unplug from school completely and others WANT to think about school because it helps them relax when they feel prepared.
So, if the latter is you, here are some ideas for preparing for the new school year!
- Reflect on the previous school year
- Prep any materials for back to school
- Choose a new classroom decor theme
- Make a list of supplies you need
- Set up your classroom
- Attend professional development or work on continuing education credits
- Read professional books (classroom management, teaching strategies, etc…)
- Browse for new resources (make a Pinterest board for various topics you teach and collect your ideas)
- Find new read-aloud books for next year
- Find teacher bloggers to follow and subscribe to their email lists
- Read blog posts about topics you teach
- Find freebies on teacher blogs and Pinterest and sign up for them
- Shop for or wishlist resources you want
- Prepare for open house/back to school night
I hope these different lists help you to make the most of your summer break so you leave it feeling refreshed! Be sure to check out the blog posts below if you’re moving classrooms or changing grade levels!
Heading to a new grade level or new classroom next year? Check out these posts!
