Teacher Tip Tuesday: Stay in the Moment
This is something I need to remind myself of occasionally.
Focus on the task at hand, and don't try to multi-task unless it's a truly appropriate moment.
A few examples:
Quiet reading time: I know it's tempting to correct papers, but isn't it a better example to read a book while the students are? A teacher I know does a little organizing at the beginning of her class's reading time (just a minute or two) and then joins them in reading. That's a great solution!
Study hall: Make the rounds, being sure your students are settled. If they need help, this is a great time to check in with them. If you simply sit down at your desk and bury yourself in paperwork, or leave the room to make phone calls, or try to balance your checkbook, you may find that your students aren't focused, and you won't get much of your own "studying" done.
Prep time: I can't say I know a lot about prep time, but for those teachers who get daily prep time, make a short list of priorities. If you need papers copied by next period, don't surf the internet for a website to use next week. If you need to correct a test, don't check your email first.
Class time: While lecturing or guiding your class in an activity, keep in mind that you are the teacher. So, teach! This is not the time to step into the hallway to get coffee and chat with parents who happen to be walking down the hall. This is not the time to sort through your coupons or clean your purse. Do those things at home.
After school: I need a little mental break after school, so I check email and check message boards after school. If I'm not careful, though, it can eat up lots of time. My suggestion - set a timer. Decide how much of a break you really need, and stick to it.
Remember that if you stay in the moment - teach during class, correct papers and plan lessons during prep times - you will not have to take things home. Not much anyway. I often can wait to check my blog stats or check in with my favorite message board or reply to a friend, IF I know I'll have time at home. If I know I have to take home five assignments and a test to correct tonight, I'm not going to feel like I can be a mom at home. I'll still be a teacher, and I won't be able to "stay in the moment" with my family.
Focus on the task at hand, and don't try to multi-task unless it's a truly appropriate moment.
A few examples:
Quiet reading time: I know it's tempting to correct papers, but isn't it a better example to read a book while the students are? A teacher I know does a little organizing at the beginning of her class's reading time (just a minute or two) and then joins them in reading. That's a great solution!
Study hall: Make the rounds, being sure your students are settled. If they need help, this is a great time to check in with them. If you simply sit down at your desk and bury yourself in paperwork, or leave the room to make phone calls, or try to balance your checkbook, you may find that your students aren't focused, and you won't get much of your own "studying" done.
Prep time: I can't say I know a lot about prep time, but for those teachers who get daily prep time, make a short list of priorities. If you need papers copied by next period, don't surf the internet for a website to use next week. If you need to correct a test, don't check your email first.
Class time: While lecturing or guiding your class in an activity, keep in mind that you are the teacher. So, teach! This is not the time to step into the hallway to get coffee and chat with parents who happen to be walking down the hall. This is not the time to sort through your coupons or clean your purse. Do those things at home.
After school: I need a little mental break after school, so I check email and check message boards after school. If I'm not careful, though, it can eat up lots of time. My suggestion - set a timer. Decide how much of a break you really need, and stick to it.
Remember that if you stay in the moment - teach during class, correct papers and plan lessons during prep times - you will not have to take things home. Not much anyway. I often can wait to check my blog stats or check in with my favorite message board or reply to a friend, IF I know I'll have time at home. If I know I have to take home five assignments and a test to correct tonight, I'm not going to feel like I can be a mom at home. I'll still be a teacher, and I won't be able to "stay in the moment" with my family.
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