To Batch or Not to Batch. . .

To Batch or Not to Batch. . .

Many a productivity guru (or, as I like to fancy myself, an educator-who-wants-to-get-a-life guru), advocate for batch processing: grouping alike To-Do’s and doing them all at one time. You know, like during my teaching days when I would make 5 peanut butter and...
Cloi’s Opening and Closing Routines

Cloi’s Opening and Closing Routines

I met Cloi, a wonderfully Together first-grade teacher, at a recent training here in DC. From the moment we met, I was drooling over her Together Tools. There is much to share, but I honed in on her paper-based Weekly Worksheet with a focus on her ROUTINES. Here’s a...
What To Do with “Found” Time?

What To Do with “Found” Time?

Most people are trying to squeeze the most they can out of their time, but what about when you have “found” time? For example, last Monday, I FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY had my TSA pre-check appointment way out in Alexandria, VA. For those of you not familiar with the...
Efficiency, Efficiency, Efficiency: Thank You Notes to Students

Efficiency, Efficiency, Efficiency: Thank You Notes to Students

If you are like most teachers I know, I bet you received a bunch of creative, thoughtful and downright strange holiday gifts from your students. If you are like one teacher who lives in my home (ahem), they may still be sitting next to your desk (after your wife...
Happy Thanksgiving and The Power of a Post-It

Happy Thanksgiving and The Power of a Post-It

It’s the time when many of us are wrapping up for the Thanksgiving holiday—and some of you may already be on vacation. It’s cold enough here in DC that I’ve got my cranberry sauce chilling on the deck. Wednesday will be a half-day for me, and I’ll be making these with...