Saturday, August 25, 2012

Saturday Sayings: Slow Down to Speed Up

(Click here for more Saturday Sayings.)


For me, this time of the school year is the hardest.  (The blood curdling scream at the top someone's lungs let out in my classroom yesterday is proof of that, and I promise it wasn't me.)  More importantly though, it's the most crucial time of the year.  The remainder of the year hinges on what I do and don't do right now.  Debbie Miller's quote says it all.  Being deliberate and explicit about the smallest of details is so important.  If my kids don't know what I expect of them, come January they are certainly not to blame when things aren't going well.  It takes lots of time and energy to be deliberate though.  Rushing into too much curriculum too early without a deliberate foundation could sabotage everything.  "Slow down to speed up" is my mantra.  I believe I made that up, but it was definitely inspired by the following quotes.  (I'm not smart enough to make it up all on my own.)

"Slow down and be consistent."  Kathy Collins, Growing Readers 60

"Spending time on procedures and management in the beginning is, in fact, good teaching and a good time investment."  Kathy Collins, Growing Readers 65

"We move slowly to eventually move fast.  The payoff is enormous."  Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, The Daily 5 42

To move slowly now doesn't necessarily mean that by the end of the year we will have accomplished less.  In fact, I believe quite the opposite is true.  We'll be able to speed up and accomplish so much more because we'll have fewer management issues to fight with along the way, and those always tend to slow us down.  I'd rather purposefully slow down now than have to slow down later out of sheer desperation.

Slow down to speed up.





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14 comments:

  1. Once again, Tammy, you are so right! It is so important to get all those procedures taught and learned. It's so hard to go slow though! :)
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Thanks Lori. I suppose I'm only right because of smart teachers like Kathy Collins, Debbie Miller, and The Sisters. They keep me on the straight and narrow. (You're right. Slowing down isn't easy.)

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    1. Laurie, I've wanted to blog about this for a while now, but I forced myself to wait. I figured it would be more meaningful when we're all heading back to the classroom. Thanks for reading.

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  3. Hi Tammy! So, so true! This last week it seems like I've accomplished very little, but we have been working on our procedures and rules. This bunch is quite loud so I'm going to have to do some work on voice level if we are ever going to get to do anything fun - LOL!

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, I know the feeling. On the surface it can seem like so little has been accomplished when really we've made such great strides to ensure a smoother ride for the rest of the year. Voice level - that's a fun one to tackle. Good luck! :)

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  4. This was one of the very first things you shared with me when I started...and I chant it every year. Even this year in fifth, I must use it as a rein when I just want to dive into the good stuff (and I've been tempted sorely even in the first 3 days), but know we just aren't ready. I was thinking the other day that when state testing comes around late in the year, if I have laid the foundation correctly, we are able to fly through our reviews, fast, faster, fastest, and make the most of limited time. Because we were slow and deliberate when it mattered most. Thank you.

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    1. Lori J, I'm glad I said something helpful! :) Thank you for sharing this with me friend.

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  5. Thanks for this important reminder. Debbie Miller and Kathy Collins always nail it for first grade! I look forward to your Saturday Sayings.

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    1. Mary B, thank you for saying that you look forward to my Saturday Sayings. That really does mean a lot to me. (I love Debbie and Kathy. They're just smart!)

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  6. So true!! Love the sayin, "Slow down to speed up."
    Connie:)
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks so much Connie. I always appreciate your support!

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  7. agreed! this is vital for learning to happen, not to mention my sanity : )

    "Spending time on procedures and management in the beginning is, in fact, good teaching and a good time investment."

    yep yep yep!

    Kelli
    "Spending time on procedures and management in the beginning is, in fact, good teaching and a good time investment." a

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    1. Kelli, sanity is towards the top of my list as well! :)

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