I'm not naturally excited about practical aspects of teaching. Yet, I believe that little things can often make a difference. True, they may be a Band-Aid solution, but when we think about bandages, they are really effective. Such a small thing can help prevent infection and protect a wound from reopening and, if you're a child, it can feel like wearing a cool sticker.
So, here are my time-saving ideas (many of them include technology)
- Documenting discipline on the computer - I keep a brief log with the name, date, time and incident description. Since I type faster than I write, it works really well.
- Use of projects instead of assignments - I now spend more time actually looking at student work and less time inputting grades in the computer. I have a basic rubric that I keep on the computer and modify according to the project.
- Mail - We get so much crap in our mailbox. So, I instantly file what's important and throw out the rest. I actually throw it away while I'm in the staff lounge. Or, if there is a staff member who annoys me, I can put it in his or her mailbox!
- Lesson Plans - I never do the same lesson twice, but it certainly helps to type up my lesson plans so that I can change them the next year
- Enlist student help - I have students pass out papers, create bulletin boards, edit videos, keep track of supplies, etc.
- Google Calendar - I have found that keeping everything on one online calendar now allows me to get work done without constantly looking at my to do list
- Positive Notes - I have a bilingual positive note, where I can simply check-mark boxes and then write a comment on the bottom. It saves time, because I write less and I spend less time on discipline by using this preventative measure
- Multitasking during staff meetings - I shouldn't admit to this, but I often do necessary paperwork during Staff Development meetings. It is the best way I can stay positive during something so boring.
- Open Door and Closed Door - I have times when I deliberately close my door and tell myself, "I have to get work done" and then other times in my schedule set aside to chat with colleagues
- Once a week copying - I do all my photocopying on Friday afternoon, because it is the time when no one is in the copy area
- E-mail - I read it, delete most and set others in file folders. I check it quickly twice a day, spending a total of maybe ten minutes (tops). To me, e-mail can be one of the biggest time-wasters
- Answering machine - with all the passwords, it takes too long to check my voicemail. So, I bought a phone for fifteen bucks. It has caller ID and an answering machine built in.
Okay, so now I'm thinking that I might be wasting time by listing practical advice that might be so common-sensical that is a waste of everybody's time.