A1 We actually paid to have a trainer come to school twice a week after the school day and used the multi-purpose room to work out. Helped the Ts bond outside school hours and get healthy #dojochat
A2- I try to get all my grading finished by Friday every week so it can go home in Friday folders. I also try to use technology a lot so it makes the grading easier! :) #dojochat
A2: Best thing about being a K teacher is not much grading. We don't take many tests, and their writing is graded monthly, so can be done on my prep mostly. :) #dojochat
A1: Being active is huge for me, so I make time to get to the gym to keep myself centered. After particularly stressful days I also use @Headspace for some guided meditation. 🏋🏻♂️💆🏻♂️ #dojochat
A2 Luckily teaching 1st grade I don't have a ton of grading. I make it a priority to get it done before I leave on Fridays! It works 95% of the time. #dojochat
A2, #dojochat I put things in their priority based on their importance. Assessments and writing scores are first, assignments are second, fun activities are third. I carry this pink teacher bag back and forth with me every single day. Do I open it every day??? Nope.
A2 Sometimes allowing myself to spend a day at the fancy coffee shop, and have that yummy latte, scone, cookie... makes it okay that I'm grading on the weekend #dojochat
A2: I use @classdojo to gamify my assessments. No grades. Ss earn dojo points for observable academic behaviors. I edit dojo skills to reflect standards & competencies. Minimal grading taken home. Assess during class time. Ss earn incentives. #dojochat
A2: I sell Pampered chef as a side business so I have a day or two set aside to stay after and grade papers and a day or two to work my other business per week #dojochat
A3: I make to do lists with the @Anydo app and schedule things to be done at home, at work, and other things (it also has a reminder for my twitter chats but today my phone died) #dojochat
A3 You have to set rules for yourself. I knew I was never going to grade papers if I took them home, so my rule became I don't take papers home to grade. Easy! #DojoChat
A3 Using time wisely, multi-tasking constantly so when I leave school for the day, I LEAVE school, mentally as well as physically (as much as possible) #dojochat
A3- I always take time on the weekend for myself and also my family. I try to have all my work completed my Saturday night so I can enjoy Sunday. #dojochat
A3: Honestly....I just kinda....do it. No planner, maybe some post it notes shoved in my school bag and reminders set on phone. I'm terrible at organizing, any good digital planners? Refuse a paper one I'll lose it! haha #typeb#dojochat
A3 I work best in the morning, so I decided not to be too hard on myself if I was too tired to grade at the end of the day. Just give me a sunrise, coffee, and a red pen, and I can do it! #dojochat
A3 Have a task for each day of the week. Wednesday and Thursday are usually lesson plan days. Friday is a grading day. Mondays and Tuesdays we usually have grade level meetings. #dojochat
3. I've been trying to work smarter not harder. ie. Why assign 50 problems when you will know if they understand the concept in 4? Encourage student participation in room organization and poster creation. #dojochat
A2: I prioritize the most meaningful assignments and grade them in small chunks throughout the week. Keeps my mind fresh when reading student essays and other lengthier assessments! 👍 #dojochat
A3: #DojoChat lists!! I’m a list maker! I also email myself important items/tasks. I set @ClassDojo timers all day and even 1 for myself 2 leave school at a reasonable hour!!
A4 Since I work with a different grade level each day, It is crucial that I keep everything organized. Grading by the end of each day is important to my routine. If I get behind, it get UGLY! #dojochat
A4 wake, ready, coffee, classroom, emails, read over plans, restroom first bell... then it's all downhill - er I mean - smooth sailing from there! #dojochat
A4: I think that routines r great, but I need to model how to roll with change to my Ss and my own daughter. Rainbow breaths, and saying ‘“it’s all good!” #dojochat
A4: I recently expanded the amount of reading centers I have (so I can have one student per center [I only have 8 students]) and it has been going swimmingly! #dojochat
A3 I used to be an 11 hours a day teacher. Once I had my daughter, my world changed. I get so excited to pick her up and devote the rest of her day to family time. #dojochat
A4: I think that routines r great, but I need to model how to roll with change to my Ss and my own daughter. Rainbow breaths, and saying ‘“it’s all good!” #dojochat
A4- Coffee first! Always! Then check emails, get books for the next day so I can plan for them during planning time, make any copies and then prepare for students to come in! #dojochat
A4: I say I'm disorganized w/ planning, but I LIVE for routine. If I miss the gym, go to bed to late, or yes, even forget my banana at home my whole day is off! 🍌#dojochat
4. I get to school early in the morning and do most of my paperwork then. I can get more done when I'm fresh from a full night's sleep than at the end of the day. #dojochat
A3 I used to be an 11 hours a day teacher. Once I had my daughter, my world changed. I get so excited to pick her up and devote the rest of her day to family time. #dojochat
Totally understandable! I know my mindset will change when I have a family! Right now it's only my husband & I so I can devote many hours to teaching. #dojochat
A4: I believe a loose-tight philosophy is best. Build structure and discipline where you can. Leave room to be flexible with the unexpected. Ultimately, keep an eye on the big picture and keep moving forward. #dojochat
That’s awesome!! I’m a 43 yr old 2nd year Teacher and Mom 2 a 14 yr old daughter. Last yr, I stayed way too late each night. This yr, I feel like I “get it!” More is not always best. Quality over quantity! #dojochat
I try so hard to make every minute count! It is so hard though when I don't have planning until 3:00 everyday! :( I'm exhausted by that time lol #dojochat
A5- I try to organize all of my guided reading books and all of my copies for each day of the week. I try to have them all ready to go for each day so it's one less thing I have to do! #dojochat
A5 A place for everything and everything in its place...bins, drawers, shelves all accessible to my Ss so they can use and put away needed items. #dojochat
A5: I start every year with an @ErinCondren Teacher Planner, after that I keep everything in binders, student portfolios, Student DAta, student work. I also use a set of rainbow drawers for daily work. #dojochat
A5: @CoziFamily for our family calendar! @Outlook for my school calendar. Reminder alarms for many thing, like 2 remember to take my vitamins! Lol #dojochat
In reply to
@Mrs2ndGradeWCS, @CoziFamily, @Outlook
5. Everyone thought I was crazy when I got rid of all of my filing cabinets and started using those little trolleys with drawers. 2 years later and I couldn't be happier and more organized at school. Plus, they look and match my classroom decor. #dojochat
A5 I have bins for each content area + seasonal. My Ss are trained to put originals and extras in the correct bin to make my filing easier and much more manageable. #dojochat
5. At home, I make sure to keep similar items together. All my scrapbook supplies on one shelf, all of my nail polish in one tote, etc. A place for everything and everything in its place- makes things easier to find when you need it fast. #dojochat
5. Everyone thought I was crazy when I got rid of all of my filing cabinets and started using those little trolleys with drawers. 2 years later and I couldn't be happier and more organized at school. Plus, they look and match my classroom decor. #dojochat
A6: No more days standing at the copy machine. I used to spend hours there back in the day. Technology makes it easier to share content and activities with students. #dojochat
A6: Finding owners of assignments with “no name.” I have an area in my classroom for “no name” work. I used to worry so much about unclaimed word work! As we say in my class, “You’ve got to name it to claim it!” #dojochat
A6 Learning to say NO to most non-essentials has been a HUGE help in managing my life. Last year was my "Year of No" and it was FABULOUS! #extendingmyyearofno#dojochat
6. Kids love to help, so I let them as much as possible. They take pride in our classroom and everything in it. The more they help, the prouder they become, and the less stressed I am. #dojochat
A6: Grading homework, and bringing papers home every day, If I can't get it done at school, it goes home with a check mark that I saw it. I tell my parents that I am not going to grade everything, sometimes students just need practice that isn't graded #dojochat
If you’ve never participated in the 40 Hr. workweek program for teachers by Angela Watson I HIGHLY recommend it! She has lots of great practical tips & materials https://t.co/qwBnla8UGy#dojochat
#dojochat I am a list making machine. My biggest weakness is developing teacher ADD and hopping from one task to the next without finishing the first. Now I set timers for myself to keep me on track.
A4: during the week I give myself half an hour before getting ready for work and half an hour after I get home to tie up loose ends that can only be done at home (printing in color, laminating etc) the rest I do at school. The weekends are another story though... #dojochat
A5: I have a teacher binder that I lovingly refer to as "my brain". I also have a folder I carry with it that has four pockets- file, copy, deliver and laminate. #dojochat
