Have you ever felt like you could perform magic in that classroom of yours if you either had more time or fewer students? I've definitely dreamt about both. I don't see either necessarily happening, at least for myself. In light of this, I like to teach with a sense of urgency as recommended by my all-time favorite teacher guru, Regie Routman.
Last year a new teacher in my building came to me one day and told me she'd noticed how quickly I get my kids in from recess and transitioned into learning. She'd even done the math and figured I created about 20 extra minutes of teaching time each day because of that one strategy. I hope it's okay I shared that. I don't mean to pat myself on the back but to make the point that every minute does count and they might be found in unexpected places. Sometimes we can tighten things up when we're searching for more minutes to teach all that's on the agenda.
What do you think about these little nuggets?
(my favorite)
Recently I found these great thoughts by way of a short and sweet, but powerful blog post titled "Maximize Your Time." (Click on the graphic below to read it. I'd highly recommend it.)
I believe that maximizing time, especially in my transitions, is so important that I even incorporate them into my weekly lesson plans. Go here if you're interested in reading about that. I hope something here has helped you track down a few unexpected but handy minutes of your own.
I am like you always trying to find more time. My kids are first off the playground too. My kids even ask why. I just tell them it's because I have so much to teach. Love this post and the links thanks.
ReplyDeleteSheree at Petersos-Pad
Sheree, the minute the bell rings I'm out the door. :) Glad you enjoyed the links!
DeleteThis post is lighting a fire under me! :-) (I can't find the youtube link, btw! It is going nowhere and I want to see what you shared!)
ReplyDeleteThe last quote is also my favorite. Our (kindergarten) transitions to recess, lunch, specials, are timely only if I am the first one at the door after the chime has been rung. If I give the signal and then stop to grab papers to be copied, a coffee mug to be refilled, whatever, then the students spiral quickly out of the routine. Because I do lunch and recess duty, I kept a small bag prepped with tissue, bandaids, a pen and notepad. I could grab it, drop in my cell phone, and ring the chime.
I wasn't always successful with those line-up transitions, especially if I needed to copy things in the office after my class was dropped off at a special. But this is one of my goals for next year! Thanks for the links, Tammy! I'm hopping over there now.
ReadWriteSing
Chrissy, oh I love lighting fires under people. That's exactly what the links did to me. Enjoy!
DeleteI love this. Someone told me about teaching kids that transition times should be less then 3 minutes. So I would put on transition music that lasted three minutes. My first graders got used to the music, so they knew when it was wrapping up. I felt like we gained so much time by learning what three minutes feels like and the ending bars of music were like a Pavlovian response. The kids snapped to attention and focused.
ReplyDeleteKimberley
First in Maine
Kimberley, that's awesome. When kids are taught tight transitions like that, we can accomplish so much more.
DeleteLove this post. I think we as teachers could always use more time. Love the quotes.
ReplyDeleteApril
Wolfelicious
April, thank you. I thought those quotes were great too.
DeleteThis is a wonderful post! I am so glad that I found your blog! Thanks so much for sharing this great information. I love your core ideas-they are very powerful and very true!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Learning to the Core
Amanda, thank you for coming by. I'm so glad you found these ideas valuable!
DeleteGuilty! i know my transitions are not smooth. I will definitely be going back and reading your old post. A few years ago, we had to make up 9 snow days. Instead of adding days to the end of the year, they added 45 minutes to every day form February to the end of the year. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteKelly
I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
Kelly, I hope you found some useful transition ideas from that link I mentioned too. I think we're all guilty of needing to work on tightening things up here and there. :)
DeleteSuch a great post, Tammy! Transitions can be a time eater. I am always looking for more time in my day!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, thank you always for your supportive comments around here. Yes, transitions can eat up way too much time if we're not careful.
DeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteI'm honored to have my post linked in your blog. I am also a Regie Routman fan because her classroom responses are always so "spot on" and her sense of "urgency" is contagious.
There is always room for improvement and you have captured that so well!
Fran, your post got my blood flowing. I was more than happy to share it with as many readers as I could. Thank you for sharing such great thoughts with us!
DeleteGreat reminder. Most days I wish the day was a bit longer too. It's amazing how much time can be wasted with transitions. We're always the last class out the door at the end of the day. My kids start cleanup 2 minutes before the bell cause I want to make use of every minute. Works for me though I'm not sure how the parents feel:)
ReplyDeleteBarb, the end of the day is a harder one for me. I don't like feeling rushed to get ready but I don't like being ready too soon either. Every minute does count though.
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