keeping on schedule

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Home : 2003 : September : 9

keeping on schedule
By Carolyn

During my first week of school, I created a schedule that I felt I could realistically live with. I also learned very quickly how long it should take for the kids to accomplish certain tasks. Sometimes it's the kids who
are wasting time and taking more time to do tasks than they should. They'll sit and talk and socialize when they ought to be settling down and finishing work.
Perhaps you are planning too much. Perhaps you need to create a schedule which you can realistically follow. I know, for example, that I have basically an hour (sometimes less) of instructional time after I get the kids back

from lunch. I know that I can't accomplish all that I would like to do in that hour. I teach writing lessons and then end the time with spelling. I know that writing takes first place, so I spend more time on that than spelling.

I think it's important to prioritize. Maybe you can cut some things a little shorter. Also consider integrating subject areas. We occasionally use our social studies books for reading and writing instruction. We use history trade books in reading class.

I keep an eye on the clock. Even if we're not finished, I make sure I collect the work to look at. I announce that class is over by collecting students' work, conclude with a summary, then move on to the next thing on my schedule.