The Power of a Checklist

We adults all know that checklists help us keep track of things that need to be done.  How great it is to be able to cross out those that we finish!  We should teach our students how to use checklists to manage their own workload.  This article explains many reasons to make and use checklists.  The responses from students are very interesting.


Common Core in Action:  The Power of a Checklist.  Heather Wolper-Gawron. 2.7.14. edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-power-of-a-checklist-heather-wolpert-gawron

Are Paperwork & Other Duties Eating Up Your Time?

These days teachers have so much paperwork and administrative tasks. Many say little time is left to attend to the teaching/learning life of the classroom.   District regulations, test procedures, state level data requests, and many other building duties eat up valuable time. Yet we do it all!  We plan.  We differentiate  instruction.  We engage students by getting to know them academically, socially, and emotionally. What is left over?  Are we fully prepared to meet the new demands of Common Core Standards that we will be held accountable for? 
This article describes the life of many teachers who may have left the profession because of time demands beyond their ability to manage.  How do you manage your time? Please offer your opinions in Comments below and feel free to remain anonymous




A Teaching Reality Show:  Paperwork vs. Priorities.  Mary Tarashuk. 10.8.14. MiddleWeb
http://www.middleweb.com/18053/my-reality-tv-show/




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Not Enough Time to......??

Although I am not in the classroom anymore, I do identify with teachers who feel there is not enough time in the work day to........(and the list starts, including reading this blog)  Here is another article that will help you find that time and become more efficient in your work day.  If you are one of these teachers, then this article is for you.  Don't miss it!  Share your thoughts after reading it in the Comments section below.

10 time management tips for teachers.  Benjamin Schrage.  8.5.14.  SmartBlog on Education
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/08/05/10-time-management-tips-for-teachers/?utm_source=brief

Is Summer Your Time to Relax & Recharge?

Hopefully, teachers can use the few weeks of summer to relax, recharge, and ready themselves for the rigor of school and home responsibilities.  It's not easy, is it?  One way to maintain balance throughout the year is to recall the matrix presented by Steven Covey in his book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People."  Then Look at the embedded link. Wheel of Life.  This powerful graphic tool can be arranged to fit the important roles and people in your life.
Share your ideas about balancing your own life in Comments below.

Maintaining Balance.  Naphtali Hoff. 7.21.13  SmartBlog on Education
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/07/21/maintaining-balance/?utm_source=brief

Making Plans....for Yourself!

We teachers are very used to making lesson plans for our students - goals, resources, discussion points, assignments, etc.  BUT, have you ever made these kinds of plans for yourself?  Without an organized self, how do we expect to deliver organized lessons to our students.  Read this thought provoking article.....(and plan a weekly visit to Pat's  blog - Teach to Make a Difference - joking of course)

7-Step Prep: Make a Weekly Plan for YOU!  Mala Heyck-Merlin. 8.1.14. Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-step-prep-weekly-plan-maia-heyck

Do Students See You as Organized or Disorganized?

If students view you as disorganized, they probably feel your class isn't important, whereas the opposite is true.  Organized teachers convey what they teach is important to students.  And what does organization mean in Title I?  Do students know the goal for the class session?  Are materials ready? Has student work from the previous session been evaluated and communicated to the student?  Is the session unified?  ( A goal we have this year)  Is what they are learning relevant to their lives and their world?  (Another goal for this year)
All these thoughts came from a teacher listening to 2 adolescent boys on a train going home after school. 
This thinking has been part of LEX plan in 2013.  The question, however, is how do your students perceive their time with you?  Let's hope they view their time with you as important.  If not, then it may be that our own organization skills need improvment. 

[Readers of this blog also realize that other factors play into student appraisal, given the varied set of negative issues so many of our students face.  Let not our own organizational skills contribute to their appraisal of Title I as a unimportant.]

Is your class important? Conversation overhear on train... Ariel Sacks. 3.4.13. transformED.
http://transformed.teachingquality.org/blogs/shoulders-giants/03-2013/your-class-important-conversation-overheard-train