When you hear the phrase time management for teacher, do you laugh inside? As elementary school teachers, our days are filled with a myriad of responsibilities. Every day is packed with teaching, lesson planning, grading, correcting, communicating with parents, and hopefully a chance to use the bathroom! Our to-do list continues to grow every day even when we are continually crossing off items that have been completed. It is a constant for each one of us! Even though time management for teacher can be a challenge, there are things we can do to help us.
One thing that helps me with my to-do list is to use games that are easy to prep. When I use a few sets of games, it also saves time because I don’t have to explain new instructions every day. My students already know how to play the games. It benefits my students and me! If you need a quick game to practice addition, you will want this FREE sample of Pet Bingo. It helps your students practice their +2 addition facts within 20. Save time by simply printing them and you will be ready to use them in a math small group. Your students will be excited and engaged! Type your name and email in the boxes, and I will send it to you right away!
I have learned that managing my time has helped me with organization, reduced my stress, and has helped me be efficient. I also sleep better at night since I am not making lists in my head of things I need to do when I should be sleeping. With a few simple habits I have developed, my time management as a teacher has improved. Over the years I have found a few things that have helped me to use my time more wisely, and I hope these ideas will help you also.
Time Management for Teacher Tip #1
Make a Plan
When I have a plan, I am more relaxed. Even though I have many routines built into my day, I still need an idea of where I am headed. You can make this plan at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day for the next day. I have found it works best for me to do it at the end of the day before I go home. Then I can go home and know that I am ready for the next day.
I do most of my general planning with my team during a weekly planning meeting. My plans are not detailed in my plan book. They say something like Lesson 3-3 in math. I also write down any math activities we will be doing. Then at the end of the day, I write down a more detailed schedule on a piece of paper. This allows me to make specific notes according to how the previous lesson went. I can also add in last minute changes that are needed. It is simple, but it helps me feel organized. At the top of the paper, I include things that I need to remember to do first thing in the morning. When I do this, I can leave school at school instead of taking it home.
Time Management for Teacher Tip #2
Set Up Routines
Routines give me the structure I need to help me with my planning. They also help me remember to do everything that I need to do. As teachers, we have many things running through our heads at all times of the day. Routines also help me to streamline my tasks so I am not wasting time. I use both daily routines and weekly routines.
Daily Routines
We all have certain jobs that need to be completed on a daily basis. I write down the things I have to do on a list that I hang on my whiteboard with a magnet. I look at it each afternoon to see if I have completed everything before the next school day. I usually know what needs to be completed, but this helps me to remember everything when I am tired at the end of the school day. I also try to create habits of certain jobs that need to be done and consistently do them at the same time each day. Having a consistent daily routine helps me with a positive learning environment and allows me to anticipate and manage my time.
Tasks You Do on Certain Days of the Week
Have you tried assigning specific tasks to particular days of the week? When I began developing this simple habit, it helped me with my time in so many ways! For example, you can plan Reading on Mondays, plan math on Tuesdays, and make copies on Wednesday. This way I know when I need to do something, and I know I have planned a time to do it. This helps me prevent tasks from piling up. It also ensures that items that need to be consistently completed will not be forgotten. Please don’t ask me how I know this! Experience teaches us hard lessons!
Time Management for Teacher Tip #3
Set Up Times to Email
Email communication is a big part of a teacher’s day, but it doesn’t need to take over all of our time. I check my email in the morning after I arrive at school. Then I usually don’t check it again until after school. By using consistent times to check email, I waste less time. If I check my email multiple times during the day, I lose focus. I can be doing something better for my students and me instead of constantly checking my email. I also don’t have my school email connected to my phone because I need boundaries. This helps me keep control of my time and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Effective time management helps us be successful. By making a plan at the beginning of the day, setting up routines, and managing email, you can create an organized and productive environment. This will lead to less stress which helps make teaching enjoyable. You will be a more productive teacher while at school which will allow you to have a better work-life balance. I hope you will try these strategies today!
Here are some other articles you might enjoy.
5 Time Management Tips for Teachers | Resilient Educator
