One of the biggest challenges for teachers is setting a schedule. If you are like me, you have a lot to get in during the week. Not only do I have to teach math, language arts, social studies, and science, I also have library, PE, music, dance, and Art Corps. It can be very overwhelming but creating a physical schedule helps me manage it all.
Set times that are not negotiable
The days before school begins, our staff gets together and schedules PE, Library, Reading Buddies, and Music. Most people will keep last year’s spots, but we always have changes. This year, we have four new teachers out of twenty-one, so there were several changes.
I personally like to spread these activities across the week, like one each day. Some teachers like to put several activities in one day. Whatever works for you, is how you should do it.
Once these times are set you can move on to the other parts of your schedule that you can control.
Filling in the rest of the schedule with everything that needs to be done
The next step is to plug in what I have to teach. I want to teach math, reading, and writing every day. On my schedule, some of the reading and writing will be done during Creative Writing Project and Genius Hour. Next is science and social studies. They need at least three hours a week. That covers almost every hour of each day.
It can be very challenging to get everything in, but I find making a schedule very helpful. Being intentional encourages me to stay on schedule. I know sometimes I won’t be able to, but I always try to honor each subject by giving it the time it deserves. Finally, I post it in the class so the students and I can see it. Below is my schedule this year.
Be Flexible
Lastly, you have to be flexible. There is a balance between following the schedule to the T and allowing for small changes when things come up. Of course, we all want to keep our schedules, but there will always be things coming up like a teacher needs to switch for PE, the music teacher canceled, or yesterday’s science experiment needed more time.
Holidays and school events can also disrupt your schedule. Just get through those times as best you can and get back on track as soon as possible.
It is important to go with the flow when needed and buckle down on the schedule when you can. Preparing a physical schedule can give you direction and cut down on the stress of everything that needs to get done.
Have a great beginning of the school year!
Karen
