So, here goes...please give your best tip or two about saving time in the classroom or preparing for your students.
I keep 5 file folders on my desk filled with EVERYTHING I will need for the week. Each folder is labeled with a different day of the week. This is a HUGE help if I have to be gone without notice.
At the beginning of the year I put my first graders in a "line order" and it saves a lot of time because there is NO arguing about who gets to stand where. I, of course, have a line leader. I change it a little throughout the year, but I leave it alone for the most part. It's very helpful for subs too.
I do the same thing with a basket of "stuff" for the week. (I tried the folders each day but couldn't stay THAT organized!
ReplyDeleteI think it is essential to teach and plan transitions - how do students go from their seats to the rug? How do papers get passed out? Where do they go when completed? We practice these all the time early in the year and it is one of the little things that really makes a difference as time goes on. ~ Lisa
I couldn't find a button to post a new comment (hope it's ok to post here).
DeleteTo save time I ALWAYS have my 5th graders walk everywhere in ABC order. This is from day one and I never have to hear any arguments about who goes 1st...
Also to save time on finding materials needed, I now use a bin (like a magazine file) to hold each table's journals per subject. I used to have each table store all their journals in a crate, but this was chaos because I had kids digging into the crate, the crates were messy, and they were taking too long to pull out the journals we needed, so that's why now they are separated by table and subject. (for example I have table 1 math, table 1 science, etc...) This has eliminated tons of waste time.
Also, I have a folder with 'extra' copies in case someone loses their stuff. If I have 25 students I might make 28 copies just in case. If you can't find it in the folder, you need to recopy it from a peer (at home).
To save time, you have to teach procedures from day one :)
I have to totally agree that if you do NOT teach transitions you will make a huge mistake. Your students have to know how to move around the room. You REALLY have to do this to save time.
DeleteGREAT share!!
Make templates! This is probably my biggest time saver. I always save a blank version of whatever file I create - whether it be a field trip form, behavior contract, vocabulary activity, note to home, etc. Then when the time comes (which it inevitably does) when I have a similar need, I have the template there from which to work. It has saved a TON of time. And I make sure I have a good organization system on my computer to sort the various files so they're easy to find when needed.
ReplyDeleteRick
(Rick's Resources)
I love it! Thank you. You always have such wonderful ideas to share!
DeleteGreat share!
I have so many materials that I think are useful, it's hard to choose just one to add to my post to offer a new teacher. I'll link my favorite bundle. It has three different sets of task cards perfect for a new teacher. It includes three items - Student Jobs Task Cards / Acts of Kindness Task Cards / Journal Prompts Task Cards. All three are very useful and fun to use in the classroom.
DeleteLink to Task Cards
I also have bulletin board ideas, reward tickets, bookmarks, etc. that would be useful to a new teacher.
Thanks,
Rick
Rick, this is great!!! The last thing a new teacher needs to worry about is bulletin board ideas. They can just visit you and get what they need!!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing!
I need all the time savers I can get! Great suggestions. I enjoy reading what you have to say on your blog and on the TPT forums. I've nominated you for the Liebster award. You can read about it on my blog http://eltigger.blogspot.com. It's an award for newer blogs to get their names out there.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
WHAT?? That is my oh my gosh voice. That is my "what are you talkin about Willis" voice. You have no idea how exciting that is. WOW! I'd say I'm speechless, but the rambling proves otherwise,
DeleteHello...just wanted to let you know I nominated you for a Liebster award! I love reading your blog and posts on TPT!
ReplyDeleteHeidi
Secondgradealicious!
I'm crying now. Oh my!!
DeleteAww don't cry!! lol It's pretty exciting!!
DeleteHi, Chris! It's Kristen from the Neighborhood Blog Party at Aspire to Inspire that you linked up to. I didn't have an e-mail address for you, but I nominated you for a Liebster Award for your blog. Just a fun little thing to get the word out about smaller blogs. I just wrote a post about it on my blog. It's a fun little activity if you're up for it!
ReplyDeleteKristen :)
Aspire to Inspire
You are awesome! I've read about this and trying to figure out what I need to do. I had a funeral today and have a wedding this weekend so I hope that this is something I can tackle next week.
ReplyDeleteYou all have no idea how nice this is for me and how VERY much I appreciate it.
I'm up for learning how to do this just hope I can get it figured out. :)
You have been nominated for the Liebster Award! Find out more by visiting my blog at http://1teachermom.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Thank you so much! Hopefully I finally have time today to get this figured out.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the year, the best "time saver" I do is to have enough supplies ready for students to complete everything for the first week without breaking into their own supplies. (Glue, crayons, pencils, paper) I have a basket for each student to put all their school supplies in on day one, and I can check off items and label them as necessary without the first day of school huge crazy pile of random school supplies that I used to have! Then, whatever is left in their basket when I'm finished sorting, they can put into their desks and we're ready to roll!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing!
As a kindergarten teacher, it is important to teach kids independence from day one. If they need help, they must first make another effort, then ask a friend and if that still doesn't work, you may see the teacher. This applies to everything from a stuck zipper, shoes that need to be tied, snack that needs to be opened or everyday school work.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true!! I've heard a lot of teachers say "ask 3 before me" and they love it.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing!!
At the beginning of the year I assign each student a number. I label their cubbies, my sticks for selecting students, clips for my behavior chart, and anything else that I will use again next year with the numbers. This saves me time every year!
ReplyDeleteThat is so very smart! You will save a lot of people a lot of time with that tip.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing!
I use the assigned numbers, too. It is so useful for everything from attendance, walking in line, sorting papers, assigning books, ... you name it.
ReplyDeletePolliwog Place
Anything to help with lining up. That always seems to cause a fuss if you don't have a plan.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing!
I like the idea of 5 folders for the days of the week...I need help for sure keeping everything organized!
ReplyDeleteIt has saved me MANY times.
DeleteAs soon as I get my class list, I make 10 "Caught Being Good" passes for each student (one for each week of the first quarter). I leave the reason empty, but have the student's names written, my signature and the number 1-10 on the back. This way, I make sure that I have recognized each student each week for something they should be proud of and I never have to wonder if I have given some form of written recognition since I can look to see if I still have their copy for that week.
ReplyDeleteOHHHHHH I like that!!! What a great time saver! I'm "stealin" that one for sure.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing.