The Importance of a Weekly Schedule to Complete the Teacher To-Do List

(***This post is targeted to teachers BUT can be used by anyone so be sure to download the FREEBIE!)  

Do you have every second of the day planned for your students?  Do they know when things need to be completed and turned in?  What about you?  Do you plan for what you need to complete and organize?

I get it.  That pile is growing.  It is daunting to even look in the direction of the pile.  So how can you manage it without the side of panic?

Step 1: 

The first step in planning your week is to organize each day into major tasks.  Don’t try to tackle everything in one day.  Break things up.  I like to focus on administration tasks and paperwork the day of the faculty meeting and then the day after. That way it doesn’t get away from me.  Putting lesson planning and grading before and after these dates lets you feel some relief in knowing those tasks are done or they will be tackled in a day.  Want one for yourself?

Grab the Weekly Schedule in the FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY.

Step 2: 

Make each task manageable.  Break it down into parts and DON’T make the list so long it can’t be completed.  I like to break each task into 3 items.  An example for grading:  #1. Spelling Test #2. Journal Feedback #3. Math Homework.  It is nice to be able to cross stuff off the list.  (Or if you are like me…you can erase.  Yes, I like to do my list in pencil so I can erase and be left with a clean, blank space)>

Step 3:

Take control of the e-mail issue.  Set office hours and let parents know when you check school e-mail.  Let them know that it is important to focus on your family in the evenings and that you will only check e-mails at a specific time. Tell them the school day focus is on their children. If they have an issue they need taken care of before the end of the school day to contact the office and they will give you the information.

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For more tips try The Ultimate Guide to Starting the School Year, Are Your Students Self-Assessing, and Do They Know What You Expect:4 Fun Ways to Teach Procedures.