A teacher summer checklist for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers - relax this summer

A Summer Checklist for Teachers: 13 Ways to Relax

A teacher summer checklist for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers - relax this summer

Once the end of the year frenzy is over and you are finally able to enjoy your well-deserved summer break, make sure you take same time to relax and destress. Below is a summer checklist for teachers that will help refresh you for the upcoming school year!

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A Summer Checklist for Teachers

1. Avoid all of those "teacher skeptics."

You know who I am talking about - those well meaning acquaintances that, after finding out you are on your summer "break," will sigh and say, "It must be so nice to only work 8 months a year." Or, "I wish I got paid to have summers off." Hearing comments like that is bound to make your blood boil. Avoid them at all costs.

2. Sleep in or take a nap - and don't feel guilty about it!

You need to catch up on all that sleep you missed during the school year. And you need to start the next school year well rested.

3. Take time to laugh.

Laughter had been proven to help relax the whole body and release endorphins. If you need some inspiration to get your giggles started, check out my Teacher Humor Pinterest Board. Or try out one of these. 

4. Color in an adult coloring book.

Admit it. When you watch your students color and doodle, you're a little jealous. Grab some colored pencils (that you don't have to share with anybody) and an adult coloring book and relax.
Adult Coloring Book
Adult Coloring Book
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5. Take a long lunch.

Anything more than 15 minutes always feels like such a splurge!

6. Read an adult book.

Make sure it doesn't have ANY of the following characters in it:

  • Jack and Annie
  • Greg Heffley
  • Judy Moody
  • Captain Underpants
  • Ramona Quimy
  • anyone from the Baudelaire familie
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Percy Jackson
  • Fudge

My favorite "adult book" is Jane Austen's Persuasion (or anything by Jane Austen.) It should be easy to find all of her books at your public library, or get it for practically nothing on Kindle. 

And even though Harry Potter is technically for kids, I'll make an exception for any of those books, or these book options for people that love Harry Potter.  

Christmas Literacy Bundle for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

These ELA Christmas activities will help keep your students engaged and learning during this crazy holiday season! It includes:

  • no prep Christmas worksheets
  • snowman descriptive writing
  • reading review with Christmas songs
  • letter to Santa template
  • ...and more

Right now this Christmas ELA resource is over 40% off!

7. Visit an aquarium.

A recent study done by the National Marine Aquarium, the University of Exeter and Plymouth University, suggests that watching fish helped improve moods and lower heart rates. If you don't have an aquarium nearby, watch one virtually on YouTube.

This might also be a good video to play after recess to help calm down students.

8. Try out the "calm down bottles" your students use when they are stressed out or angry.

See if it actually helps relax you.

If you don't have any for your classroom yet, now is as good of a time as any to prepare for next year. Learn how to make your own glitter calm down bottle here.

Or, if you aren't a "Pinterest-y" type person, you can also buy some for your classroom (or for personal use!)

Calming Bottle
Calming Bottle
$11.99
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12/25/2024 09:00 am GMT

9. Go on a Netflix binge.

Watch all of your favorite shows that you didn't have time for during the school year because of lesson planning, conferences, and grading papers.

10. Go to the bathroom anytime you want!

You have all summer to trick your bladder into thinking that you will always have easy access to a bathroom. You can retrain your bladder when the school year starts back.

11. Stay in your pajamas all day.

You know you secretly love pajama day at school. Now you can experience that at home, without all of your snotty nosed students touching you all day!

12. Get a massage.

Obvious (like many of the other ideas), but it's also something that is hard for teachers to justify since it can be pricey. Just think of all the books you could add to your classroom library with the $80.00 it costs for a massage! But don't talk yourself out of it - you deserve it after surviving another school year.

13. If you can't take a vacation to someplace exotic, take a "Staycation."

What are some fun things that you can do where you live? Think like a tourist - where to visitors to your city go?

I grew up in the Dallas area, and I feel like I missed out because I never took a "Staycation." I've never been to the Dallas Arboretum, the Dallas Museum of Art, Billy Bob's, the Fort Worth Stockyards, or the JFK Tribute. There were so many fun, "vacation-y" things to do near me that I never took advantage of. What are you missing out on?

If you complete this summer checklist for teachers, you are share to be refreshed for the upcoming school year!

And once you are ready, be sure to check out these back to school tips and activities.

Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!

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Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!

    Comments 50

    2. I want to sleep in but I’ll be working on my Masters in June so my entertainment will be Netflix. I’m so excited our last day of school is next week 🙂

    6. I want to do so many things on that list…read an “adult” book. Sleep in ( with an almost 1 year old who still isn’t sleeping through the night I am exhausted). Wear my pajamas all day, laugh and play with my 4 year old..and just get to enjoy being mom again…

    14. I love to Color I find it very relaxing and soothing. I can also spend time with my special needs daughter who loves to color as well. It would allow good quality time to make up for what I lose during the school year.

      1. Post
        Author

        Congratulations! You are one of the winners of the adult coloring book! I’ll be getting in contact with you to find out where to send it. Have a great summer!

    20. I will be enjoying some much needed sleep and will also be cooking and cleaning, as well as learning some new skills…and maybe coloring as well(;

    21. I’m extremely excited about being able to use the bathroom ANYTIME I want! I also plan on doing some adult reading and visiting the aquarium, both are so relaxing!

    28. I’m going to sleep in because I’m up half the night reading an adult book or watching Netflix! I am also going to avoid any holiday spoilers (as if we don’t deserve a summer off!) and definitely going to take long leisurely lunches with a bathroom break thrown in right in the middle, if I want!

      1. Post
        Author

        Congratulations! You are one of the winners of the adult coloring book with colored pencils! I will be emailing you for contact information!

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