Cutting Planning Time in Half
Cutting planning time, the dream for all teachers! Our experts share their tips on how to halve your planning time.
For educators, time is an incredibly valuable resource. Although we can’t technically create more hours in a day, we can optimize how we spend them, leading to more efficient planning and better classroom management. With the right approach, you can redirect time from planning minutiae to fostering richer student interactions and a vibrant learning environment.
Try these 5 straightforward strategies to make your planning time more effective:
Arrive Early and Refreshed.
Kickstart your day in a serene, vacant classroom. Starting early, post a restful sleep, not only boosts concentration but also enhances clarity. Capitalize on this morning freshness to navigate through your plans, rather than attempting it post-school when you’re mentally exhausted.
Prioritize Morning Planning.
Resist the temptation of checking emails, indulging in colleague chit-chats, or other distractions as you step in. Reserve the initial hours explicitly for planning. To avoid being sidetracked, consider shutting your classroom door and keeping your cell phone on silent.
Single-task, Don’t Multitask.
The illusion of multitasking often leads to incomplete tasks and inefficiency. Focus on one assignment at a time. If you’re brimming with ideas, jot down your top three tasks and tackle them one after another, ensuring you complete each before moving to the next.
Embrace Deadlines.
While it might seem counterintuitive, tight deadlines can act as a catalyst for productivity. Challenge yourself by slashing your usual planning times. For instance, if you usually dedicate an hour for a lesson plan, cut it down to 45 or even 35 minutes. This constrained time, if used with focus, can accelerate your efficiency.
Master Classroom Management.
Free up your mental bandwidth by refraining from over-analyzing student reactions to new activities. Use proven strategies and be adaptable. Flexibly rotate students, initiate group activities, and introduce learning games based on classroom dynamics, all without fretting. In the realm of planning, effective classroom management is an unbeatable time-saver.
Summary: Cutting Planning Time in Half
At VIVED Learning, we empower students and teachers with innovative, interactive STEM resources. Our platform contains over 1000+ fully dissectible 3D models, across STEM subjects such as Anatomy, Chemistry, Engineering, Biology and more.
Book a call with our expert team today to learn how VIVED can boost your students engagement and learning outcomes!
Like this blog? Check out our blogs on the best STEAM learning resources and study apps!
