Teaching Timesavers
Teaching Practices that Save Time for the Busy Teacher
All teachers can attest to the amount of responsibility they have when running a classroom. When it comes to teaching, there really is no end to the day and therefore, practices which consistently save time are necessary to assist with balance between career and home.
Use Your Students
Don’t be afraid to use your students for help with the mundane tasks of running a classroom. They are happy to assist and their help can save you invaluable time. Consider having a cleaning crew as a part of your classroom jobs. While there are usually janitorial staff to clean the floors and pick up trash, it isn’t often the room gets a good dusting and the organizing and straightening of the room lies on the teacher. So, allow your students to do the straightening, board washing, and picking up for you as a part of your classroom jobs.
Students can also place things in alphabetic order, file away paperwork and stuff weekly folders. All of these things that might otherwise fall on you the teacher can be placed in the capable hands of your students. If you have a younger grade level, they may not be able to assist with as much as their older counterparts, but every little bit of assistance helps the overworked teacher.
Consider having students grade some of their own work. Take ten minutes to have the class grade their own spelling test, multiple choice social studies test or math worksheet. There are some things that can be graded by the students and this can allow for you to spend your independent planning time grading the more subjective assignments that take more time and attention, all while serving as immediate feedback for the students.
Simplify Grading the Grading Process
Find strategies and techniques that help to simplify your grading practices. Each teacher is different in his or her choice of assessment practices, but by coming up with a consistent method of grading, you can simplify process in the long run. Some things to consider include but are not limited to:
- Create answer keys and rubrics in advance.
- Use standard rubrics for common assignments like interactive notebooks or response journals.
- Place work in alpha-numeric order upon collection (or have a student assist with this) so when grading, the papers are in order and searching for names in your gradebook is no longer necessary.
- Organize at the start of the year, and get a system in place for things like Library checkout, turning in work, and classroom procedures.
Create Templates
Create or find a template for grading those assignments that are recurring, like note taking journals, response journals or any other repetitive assignment you might have as a regular implementation of curricular objectives . Additionally, create a template to simplify the lesson planning process. Input recurring schedules and subject area blocks. Consider inputting standards into the template in advance for the weeks they will be covered. Update every few weeks to reflect new standards or any changes in schedule.
Utilize Professional Teaching Resources
Before creating a new template, rubric or test item, look through pre-printed resources or Google online the assessment of choice. You’ll be surprised at what you find. It isn’t necessary in present day to "reinvent the wheel" with technology and endless teaching resources at your fingertips. Most schools have a teacher resource shelf or library; get to know what’s available and utilize this resource as much as possible. Additionally, utilize your peers on your grade-level. Chances are, they have a file, book or other similar resource that will help you with what you are trying to accomplish.
Planning and teaching effectively is a fine balance. It is important that you find that balance as soon as possible by putting efficient teaching and planning practices into place. Use your time wisely when you have it. Create a plan for keeping up with lesson planning and grading work. Remember to use your students when you can, they are more than willing to take part in maintaining a smoothly running classroom. Find ways to simplify the paperwork you are required to do by making templates, investigating resources that already have the information created for you and by utilizing your peers. All of these time saving practices will ensure a less stressful and more successful year.
Save time with efficient teaching practices!
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