We have all experienced that dreaded night-before feeling. . . Back when I taught all subjects of fifth grade (this was before the days of “just Google it”), this question dominated my entire existence. I’d get through one day, and then it was on to stressing about...
Carrier Pigeons, Texts, Emails, Calls, Notes, and Shouting Down the Hallway…How Does Your School Communicate?
When I was teaching in Baton Rouge, my classroom was a “t-building.” This is code for a trailer located outside the regular school building due to overcrowding. Email was just emerging as a daily communication tool, and cell phones were only for the rich and fabulous....
The Brain Fry: How to Make Better Use of Your After School Time
Meet Drew. He’s a great guy. Drew is in his fifth year of teaching second grade in Washington, DC. I met Drew when he attended a Together Teacher workshop in Philadelphia in the summer of 2011. He captured perfectly why being an organized educator matters: “Being...
Lessons From The Culinary Institute. . . Who Knew?!
Lest you start to think I’m some kind of robot who only produces worksheets to help keep teachers organized, occasionally, I’m going to keep you on your toes by letting you in on my personal life. Because, yes, I do have one! And it is one of the biggest drivers of...
Kill the Notebook, Or Take Better Notes
Now I don’t mean to start a blog post with such a violent title, but notebooks are not as effective as we think they are. Why, you may ask, as you cling to your beautiful Moleskine black-bound notebook or your beloved spiral? Why I Hate Notebooks for Organization:...
Clearing the Electronic Clutter: Find Your Lesson Materials in Under 30 Seconds!
It’s May. You KNOW you had an incredible lesson about Memorial Day you taught your 7th grade history students last year. Quick Quiz: Where is your lesson? How do you find the supporting materials? Do you: Desperately scan all the files on your computer desktop until...
Sordid to Sort-ed! Five Steps to a Total Teacher Desk Makeover
The end of the school year is a good time to get your papers in order for next September. Reclaim your desk! You can do it! Kelly is an incredible middle school science teacher headed into her 13thyear of teaching. That’s given her over a decade to collect all sorts...
The Last Month of School—Report Cards, Talent Shows, and Field Days, Oh My!
The end of the school year is enough to make any teacher’s head spin. Sounds simple, right? Not when you have a million dates coming from a million directions! Not without a current (and accurate!) school calendar to refer to! Not without your own personal assistant!...