Have you ever had one of those mornings? You know the one I mean. You didn’t sleep well, your toddler threw up on the way to the car, and your desk was a mess when you left school the night before. I’m pretty sure we’ve all had one of those mornings. So, right here, right now, let’s resolve to make those mornings a thing of the past!
Why Organization is So Important
You’ve heard the saying, ‘We all get twenty-four hours in a day’. This is true – nobody gets more time, and nobody gets less. It’s all about how we use the time we have that matters.
We never know what might be waiting for us around the corner – a sick child, a car that won’t start, an unexpected meeting, etc. One thing we can count on is students. They’ll be in the classroom right on time, clamoring to get busy with the day. We’ve got to be ready.
Tips for Staying Organized in the Classroom
Procedures: Automate, folks. We need to make it the same, every time. Each time we have social studies, our procedures are identical. Every single time we have a spelling test, it’s the same drill. We simply say, “Spelling procedures.” And off they go.
How is this helpful? First of all, kids know what to expect – this is a must. Second of all, there’s no need to re-explain what to do yet again.
Pre-made Groups: After getting to know your students, divide them up into a variety of groups. These groups should be balanced in terms of abilities, leadership, and behavior. Have them split into two groups, four groups, six groups and even eight groups if need be. Keep these groups handy in a file on your desktop. That way, when it’s time for group work in science or reading with a partner, you simply need to display the groups you’ve already created.
Clear, Written Directions: Obviously, as teachers, we will give oral directions to our students. BUT, if you’re smart, you will also display those instructions in writing. Why? Because people forget – or they’re not fully listening – or they get distracted. We’re all human!
If you have directions displayed, and someone asks you about the specifics, you simply gesture at the board. Let’s face it, repeating ourselves is exhausting.
Templates: Once again – AUTOMATE. Use the same format, heck, maybe even the same color scheme for your slides. Your students will know exactly where to look to find the pertinent information. This will enable them to be successful and will help you to be less stressed! An attractive template will be easy to read and pleasing to the eye.
Besides templates, this resource offers exit tickets, lesson objective pages, ‘I Can’ statements, and much more.
Like everything, organization is a habit. A habit is something (good or bad) we do repeatedly. You can do this! Set yourself up for success by implementing these strategies in your classroom today – and say goodbye to your stress!
