Time

• have a schedule clearly posted - remind students that "We are flexible!" & that nothing is set in stone
  
• give specific instructions for what is expected (i.e. - the jobs at each activity center are...)
  
• let students work independently (i.e. - self-directed choice for jobs at each center)
  
• have students keep track of where they are (i.e. - use of a contract so student can see what to do next)
• hold students accountable for their work - free time choices are earned by doing work/job choices first

Time Saving Tips for Teachers:

I found a link that has a bunch of tips for teachers. Some "highlights" are:

• Now for the "To File" pile. You will want to have file folders and a marking pen for labeling the folders handy, as well as the "round file," otherwise known as the trash can. Again, be ruthless! Throw out anything that you know will never use or that is out-of-date or no longer useful. The type of folders you will create depends on your individual circumstances. Make a file for everything you need to keep. (Even if the file has only one piece of paper in it.) This will make finding paperwork much simpler. Some teachers use colored files for certain categories (e.g. blue for student information, yellow for curriculum, green for tests/quizzes/answer keys. Here are some typical categories:
  

Lesson plans/Lesson plan ideas (It is a good idea to keep individual lesson plans in their own folder, properly labeled. You may also want to keep any ancillary material in there also---transparencies, handouts---any item you will use with that particular lesson.)

Student information (if you have more than one class, make a separate folder for each class)

Discipline Issues

Student scores (if you need to keep Lexile, test scores, or other evaluation scores)

Correspondence

Schedules

Forms

Originals (of handouts, worksheets, etc.)

Test/Quiz Masters and Answer Keys

Substitute Information (including emergency lesson plans, instructions)

Place your now-full file folders in a file cabinet or holder. You may want to alphabetize them, put them in order of use, or according to color.

Here is the link to the website to get more ideas to help with time management & other educational topics:

www.educationoasis.com

PBS Kids has an interesting section on their website for kids managing their time - in & out of the classroom. Some "highlights" are:

The easiest way to help you get everything done is to budget that time! This is all about:

• Examining your Have-To’s and Want-To’s, and how much time they’ll take up.

• Working out a plan that lets you spend the right amount of minutes or hours on each one.

Once you have this plan, a “time budget,” you’ll be better able to create a Daily Schedule and Weekly Planner. Of course, every day isn’t exactly the same as the next, so it may help you to make a different time budget for different days.

Let’s look at a sample time budget:

Wednesday:

Sleep	8 hours
Shower, dressing, ready for school	½ hour
Breakfast	½ hour
Bus to school	½ hour
School	7 hours
Bus home	½ hour
Soccer practice	2 hours
Household chores	½ hour
Homework	2 hours
Dinner	½ hour
TV time	1 hour
Reading/personal time	1 hour
Total time spent:	24 hours

Great! That day’s budget works out, because it all adds up to 24 hours. If the total came out to more than that, we would have to choose something to cut back on or drop from that day.