Be Back to School Ready by prepping ahead of time!
Let’s be real—summer break is sacred. Whether you’re lounging poolside, catching up on sleep, or watching “just one more episode” of your current Netflix obsession, you deserve the rest.
But if you're like most teachers, there's a little voice in your head that whispers,
"Should I be prepping something right now…?"
Here’s the good news: You can totally get ahead on classroom prep without leaving your couch—or changing out of your PJs. These teacher-tested summer tips will help you feel ready for back-to-school without sacrificing summer mode.
Print-Cut-Laminate (But Like… Only the Fun Stuff)
Yes, you can prep a few of your go-to classroom resources now—especially if they’re ones you’ll use year-round. Set up your laminator near your favorite binge-watch setup, and prep small batches of:
Teacher Tip: Store prepped sets in colorful photo boxes or pencil pouches. Label them by skill (ex: “Irregular Verbs” or “Parts of Speech”) so they’re grab-and-go ready in August.
Never have time to laminate all those flashcards?
Let’s be honest—during the school year, you barely have time to finish your coffee, let alone cut out and laminate hundreds of task cards. Between grading, planning, and just keeping up with daily classroom chaos, resource prep often falls to the bottom of the to-do list.
But imagine walking into your classroom in August with your centers prepped, organized, and ready to roll—for the entire year. No last-minute printing, no 9 p.m. lamination sessions. Just grab-and-go games, task cards, and flashcards that are already done. Summer is the perfect time to prep in small, stress-free doses—so future you can breathe easier later.
Organize Your Digital Files (With Coffee & Comfy Socks)
You know those downloads sitting in your “Teaching Stuff” folder? (I am super guilty of this one!) Yeah, it’s time to give them a summer makeover.
Create simple folders for:
Grammar (by tense or part of speech)
Vocabulary (by theme or season)
Speaking/Listening
Editable Templates
Customize Your Editable Board Games
If you’ve grabbed one of my editable board game templates, summer is the perfect time to personalize a few for your upcoming units. The beauty of editable games? You can reuse the same template across:
Grammar (sentence building, verb tense review)
Vocabulary (themed word lists, categories)
Speaking practice (conversation starters, Q&A challenges)
Create versions for:
✔️ First-week icebreakers
✔️ Centers by skill
✔️ Sub plans you'll actually use
Have classroom decor laminated and ready to put up!
If you’re anything like me, you love the look of a well-organized, visually appealing classroom—but somehow, printing and laminating poster sets always gets pushed to the last week of summer (or let’s be real… the second week of school).
This year, why not get ahead of the game? Summer is the perfect time to knock out your classroom decor prep while you’re binge-watching your favorite show or sipping something iced. Laminating your grammar posters , vocabulary word walls , or English rules displays now means they’ll last all year—and you won’t be taping up curling paper in October.
📌 Teacher Tip: Use a personal laminator + cardstock for extra durability, then organize your sets by theme (parts of speech, WH- questions, spelling rules) in file folders or clear sleeves for easy access.
Final Thoughts:
You don’t need to overhaul your classroom during summer to feel prepared. A little prep now means fewer headaches later—and it’s even better when done in comfy clothes, with iced coffee in hand, and your favorite show playing in the background.
So throw on those pajama pants, open a folder (digital or real), and check one tiny task off your list. Future you will thank you.
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Teacher hack alert! These colorful photo storage boxes aren't just pretty—they’re a total game-changer for classroom organization. Each little case is the perfect size for task cards, game pieces, flashcards , and more. I love using them to store grammar and vocabulary games by skill or topic. Just label each box (“Past Tense Verbs,” “Food Vocabulary,” “Synonyms,” etc.), and you’ll never waste time digging through a chaotic drawer again. Bonus? They stack beautifully and are easy to grab during centers, small groups, or fast finisher time. If you're prepping over the summer, this is the kind of storage that makes you feel seriously accomplished—and looks amazing on a shelf, too.
I'm Brooke
Hi, I’m the teacher-author behind Hot Chocolate Teachables —where engaging grammar games, vocabulary activities, and speaking resources are always on the menu! ☕️ As a former ESL teacher, I create every resource with one goal in mind: to make learning English fun, meaningful, and low-prep for busy teachers like you. When I’m not designing classroom games or sipping something caffeinated, you’ll find me dreaming up the resources I wish I had while I was teaching. Stick around—your lesson plans are about to get a whole lot easier (and way more fun)!
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I receive my digital files?
All resources are delivered instantly via email and available for download right after purchase. You'll also receive a backup email with the file link—so no waiting, no shipping, and no stress!
I didn’t receive my file—what should I do?
First, check your spam or promotions folder. If it’s not there, you can always email me at info@hotchocolateteachables.com and I’ll make sure you get everything you need.
Are these resources editable?
Most resources are NOT editable!
If a resource is editable it will be specified in the description along with which program to use to modify it. Some resources are fully editable (like board games or certificates), while others are print-and-go. Check the product description for editability details.
What file types are included?
Most resources come in PDF format for easy printing. Digital flashcards and interactive games are usually in Google Slides™ format with clickable links and instructions. Boom cards are hosted on the Boom Learning website.
