Decide what kinds of organization tools work best for you. Whether it be color coding, file folders, baskets or bins, keep it as simple as possible. Don't overwhelm yourself with a complicated system and defeat your purpose.
Keep on top of clutter. Don't let piles start if at all possible. Take some time at the end of each day to either file or separate accumulated papers. Designate a student helper to file papers or help put materials back in the proper places.
Avoid the "pack-rat" syndrome. We veteran teachers often succumb to this because we accumulate more and more materials each year. Keep an inventory of your materials and get rid of those you are not using. Consider giving new teachers materials that you don't use or extra copies of things. They will welcome not having to go out and spend more of their own money!
It helps to have your students use the same organization methods you use if possible. If you are using color coded folders for different subjects, let your students do the same. It helps tremendously for everyone to be using a cohesive system.
Building Classroom Community
Discuss with your students about the characteristics of a team. Have a team building vocabulary word of the day or week, such as responsibility, cooperation, dependability, loyalty, etc. Build lessons and activities around your terms.
Divide your class into small groups or teams. Assign specific duties to each member. Have the group come up with a team name, symbol, logo, mascot, etc.
For the first week or so of school, have a "question of the day" which would be a daily question that students would answer about themselves. Team students up with different partners and have interview one another. For young children, their responses to questions could be used to write a class experiential story, or display responses as part of a class "Bio Board", or an "Introducing Us" bulletin board.
The following tips have been graciously contributed by teachers and other professionals.
Take It Apart Party
"I run an after school club for my students. I want to use this valuable time on academics, but also know it's important for students to get to know one another. So, once a month to have an after school gathering; this month we had a 'Take It Apart Party.' We collected broken small appliances and on the appointed day, we took them apart. We found the insides of various hair dryers are similar, toasters have springs all over the place, and gears are a wonder in old telephones and mixers. We had such a great time taking things apart that we got back together the next two days to nail our findings together into free form sculptures."
Elaine
Retired teacher
Grades 4-6
New York
Good Habits To Consistently Pursue
Write down goals
Make a habit of delegating responsibility
Put everything promptly in its place
Start an important task even when you do not have enough time to finish it
Use travel/waiting time to plan
Control telephone conversations
Be firm about not letting people interrupt you
Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly, and some issues need to be compromised upon.
Excerpt from "Adaptive Skills for Stress & Time Management" by Rosalind Jefferies and Reginald Smith, Staff Development and Training, Wake County Medical Center.
