Manage Time, Manage Ourselves!

"The challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves."

Have you ever read "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey? This is where that quote comes from. Each time I flick through the pages I gain a new insight, both about myself and about human nature in general.

As this world we live in gets busier and busier, I regularly find myself listing and prioritizing what needs to be achieved in a certain time frame. All too often I am guilty of over-planning and focusing on what I didn't get completed, rather than what I did get achieved! In my home environment, if I don't have any particular plans nothing other than "the everyday " seems to fall into place. However, when I do have an agenda, I seem to achieve more and still find time to be flexible and have fun!

"The more time one has, the more time the task takes."

Both these quotes bear relevance to time management in a school day too. This week my teaching skills have been challenged from Prep to Year 7. In all these contexts the one common thread was my use of a daily agenda outline. So I thought for this entry I would compare and contrast how I go about doing this one little time management strategy for both Upper and Lower Primary.

TODAY'S AGENDA

After giving myself some time to consider the general outline for the day I usually write a vertical agenda on the board for the middle to upper primary. I often include picture cues even for upper primary as well as a box to tick off the areas as they are completed. There is always one student who loves to " tick that list off!" I make sure the break times are clearly shown too. I don't always include the timing of each step unless I am very clear about the nature of the day or the exact time of that activity. Times can always be added later.

As we begin the day with the class meeting, I make very clear that this is their classroom /day and ask if there is anything else that needs to remembered and included on the agenda. I find this brings a feeling of respect especially with the older children as I include their needs. If a child has a specialist lesson or has to go to an appointment at a specific time, simply including the time and the child's initials on the agenda is a great visual reminder for both the child and myself!

Over the years I have found that I am best to have a clear idea of the day's outcomes before discussing it with the whole class. It seems to give the children a feeling that you do know what you are doing and you are much less likely to have a rocky start to the day. Children who feel uncomfortable with the change of teacher or have special needs also enjoy the empowerment of a visual daily agenda. I also enjoy the security of this tool as I often find myself so focused on the interactions and teaching that time passes too quickly. It truly is a way of managing both time and ourselves! I also find it a brilliant way to review the day with the class at the close of the day. Now I just can't have them going home saying that lunch was the highlight of the day, can I!

Lower Primary can be a different call all together. I find that a horizontal daily agenda works a trick. One, because the class member who is chosen to colour the star or tick off the list can actually reach and two, I am reinforcing the skill of reading from left to right! I also find that I only record the agenda for each new part of the day......morning, middle and afternoon session. While I am reasonably sure of the day's outline, it gives me flexibility to adjust my programming as I come to know the group and their needs for the day. Again the children immediately settle as they are reassured that I do know what to do! Thanks guys!

Instead of displaying times for the little ones, I use my "Penguin Clock" to represent the time that we might finish an activity. The little ones love comparing the classroom clock and my magnetic clock face. Again they are empowered to know that when the two clocks look the same the activity will finish. My clock face is so handy for loads of activities. (More about this another blog!) I have even found that when a child is anxious about an early pick up or special appointment, displaying the time on the magnetic clock and drawing their face or name beside it reassures them that we won't forget together! I do use this clock equally effectively in Senior Primary.....don't take it for granted that all children over ten can read an analogue clock!

This is just one way to outline the day. It has been very effective for me. I would love to read about your methods or hear what you felt as you trialled this technique. Every day is important in the life of a child and if these jotting make it simpler and happier for everyone I am so pleased to have taken the time to share.

Live, laugh & learn,

Carmel