Back to School Classroom Survival Guide

by Nicole
(Goldsboro, NC, USA)

Many primary teachers are blessed with having an assistant either full or part time. An assistant is the most expensive resource that we receive, and they need to be utilized effectively. Therefore it is vital to think ahead and plan how to utilize this wonderful resource.

I created a "Classroom Survival Guide" for the beginning primary teachers in our county. This guide serves to help bring organization, open communication, and form an effective classroom team.

The survival guide should be put together in a 1.5 inch binder, and will need page dividers between each section. The teacher and the assistant should have their own personal copy.

The classroom survival guide contents are as follows:

1. General Information (County calendar, school calendar, assistant's job description and list of responsibilities, copy of assistant evaluation instrument, etc...)

2. Classroom Handbook (Include a complete copy of all beginning of the year information that is sent home to parents: discipline plan, routines/procedures, class schedule, school handbook, etc...)

3. Guide for Student Success (This section is most important. This should give a complete outline of each and every classroom procedure. This will explain how all procedures should be handled in your class in detail. For example: transitions, bathroom breaks, walking in the hall, visiting the library, lunchroom, etc...)

4. Master copies & templates (This is a place to store all important papers that will need to be regularly copied. Example - communication charts, behavior logs, etc...)

5. Emergency Information (Place a copy of emergency substitute lesson plans, emergency procedures for fire drills, tornado drills, lock-downs, etc..., & student emergency contact information.)

6. Important Memos and Information (Examples: School memos, directions for instructional groups, field trip letters, etc...

7. Documentation (This section should have notebook paper to document notes from weekly classroom meetings between the teacher and assistant. I recommend inserting monthly divider tabs so you can easily go back to find information. Also add in a copy of each weeks lesson plans with anything the assistant is responsible for highlighted. Have a monthly calendar template to jot down upcoming meetings and events, etc... It is vital to communicate at least weekly with the assistant.


This survival guide has helped many beginning teachers establish an effective team relationship with their assistant and keep their classroom information organized. I hope you find this idea helpful as well. Happy back to school time!!!