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Etchingham School 1946, a photo by ttelyob on Flickr.

I love the beginning of a new school year because I like the idea of new beginnings in general. There are not too many times in life when you get to start over, but teachers get to start over every year. 

Oh it is a hassle in some ways~redecorating, cleaning out files, disconnecting and connecting computers~but it's also a time to get rid of those worksheets that you've not used in years; those out-of-date posters~put them in the recycle bin.

The beginning of the school year is also a time to revamp your class rules, expectations, procedures, and routines. As our children change, so do we. If I'm still starting the beginning of the school year the same way that I did twenty years ago, then I need to retire and make way for someone younger.

Here are recent "finds" that I've come across to help me start off the school year energized and feeling fresh:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/back_to_school/~you can't go wrong with Scholastic; they've been in the education business long enough to definitely be tried and true.

http://www.vickiblackwell.com/backtoschool.html~this is a link to a webpage that will take you to many more links. Thanks to Vicki Blackwell for creating such an awesome resource.

http://www.mrdonn.org/index.html~Mr. Donn has templates for back to school and parent night. Take a few minutes to skim this fantastic resource.

http://themes.atozteacherstuff.com/33/back-to-school-lesson-plans-and-resources/~A to Z Teacher Stuff is another tried and true webpage. Many of the resources are free.

http://www.ncte.org/lessons/backtoschool~the National Council of Teachers of English can always be relied on to offer professional resources. Many of the resources are free.

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/edres.html/~Discovery Education has links to templates and other resources that you'll find handy for the beginning of the school year.

In the words of Billy Madison: Back to school. Back to school to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight. I hope I don't get in a fight. Ohhh, back to school. Back to school. Back to school. Well, here goes nothing.

Here's to a new school year~a fantastic new beginning!

Melissa