Joué
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The beginning of the year can be overwhelming, especially this year. Once summer comes to an end, finding a routine that gets you focused on school can be difficult. Today, we are sharing FIVE simple strategies that you can implement in order to transform your teacher productivity.
5 SIMPLE STRATEGIES THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR TEACHER PRODUCTIVITY
Strategy #1: Create a Power List for the DayStrategy #2: Complete a Technology CheckStrategy #3: Follow the 2-Minute RuleStrategy #4: Take 5 Minutes to Clean Up at the End of the DayStrategy #5: Organize Materials for the Next DayCONCLUSION
During various times of the year, it is important to take a few minutes and evaluate what you are doing on a daily basis that is directly related to your productivity. When you evaluate the motions to the day and pinpoint areas that need to be fine-tuned, you have a greater chance to maintain your productivity from day-to-day.
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It’s fair to say that we have all made mistakes in our life. While we hate to make mistakes they help to make us better when we choose to learn from them. In this episode we are sharing two BIG mistakes that we have made when heading back to school.
While we share our two mistakes we want you to keep one thing in mind: KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Teaching can often feel like a competition instead of a collaboration and while this is not done intentionally, it can manifest in so much that we do for our classroom and for our students.
OUR TWO BIGGEST BACK-TO-SCHOOL MISTAKES
Mistake 1: Following trends we see on social media. AKA: Keeping up with the Jones’
Social media can be a place where innovation rises and new ideas spark excitement and motivation. As we have personally learned, social media can also be a place where new connections are made. However, social media can also cause us to feel pressure and distract us from our true purpose as a teacher.
When feeling stressed because of what you are seeing on social media do these things instead:
Stay off social mediaRemind yourself that it is easier to add on than to take awayBest teaching practices aren’t always cuteYour teaching ability is not determined by keeping up with the Jones’Teaching is not always about the materials but about the relationships you formMistake 2: Putting too much on our plates
Even when we are already feeling as though we have too much going on we still have a tendency to bring on more tasks. This is mainly because we don’t want to look as though we cannot do “all the things”. This can be from volunteering for activities, trying new things you see on social media or wanting to grow in multiple areas at once. This can lead to burnout and can even add pressures to your loved ones or your students.
When feeling as though you are taking too much on do these things instead:
Collaborate with other teachers as much as possible (synergy… 1 + 1 = 3)Choose one area to focus on (technology, parent communication, student wellbeing)Start with less and add moreLimit how much you change in one year/at one timePractice self careCONCLUSION
This year seems to add so much pressure on us with all the changes and adjustments that we are having to make as a teacher. It can be overwhelming and burn you out if you allow it to continue for too long. Remember to take a break away from work and try some of the strategies we mentioned to help ground you to what is really important.
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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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This year is totally different than any of us could've ever imagined. In fact, things may still be changing by the minute. We know that this is overwhelming no matter if you are in person teaching or teaching online; both of these formats have their own challenges.
We also know that on top of being overwhelmed, you are probably feeling as though you have no control over anything right now, but we can assure you that there are some things that you STILL have control over. When you focus on what you CAN control over what you CAN’T, you will get more done and feel less overwhelmed.
Remember, done is better than perfect.
We have 5 Beginning of the Year MUST-HAVES (Even in a pandemic) for you all today! These 5 things that YOU DO have control over and can help you feel overwhelmed and more prepared for whatever is thrown your way.
[3:26] 5 Beginning of the Year MUST-HAVES (Even in a Pandemic)
[3:43] Student Login Information
[6:50] Student Checklists
[11:06] Parent Information/ Handbook
[20:31] First Week of School Activities
[24:30] New Student Kits
CONCLUSION
The beginning of the year is stressful, yes, but with a little planning, preparation and a strong focus on what you CAN control this year, you will find yourself feeling a little more prepared and hopefully, a little less stressed.
HAVE YOU HEARD!
[28:55] Our TOP Teacher Workshops are now available! We are excited to announce three workshops that are geared towards Time Management, Organization and Productivity. Each workshop is half an hour long and helps give you tangible steps that will help you in becoming the TOP teacher you want to be. You can purchase these individually or as a bundle over on www.teachingonthedouble.com.
Hurry, because these are ONLY available until September 13, 2020!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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We get countless questions regarding how we manage to do it all. From getting things done to managing our teaching careers with our passions and businesses, we share it all!
In this episode, we are answering YOUR questions, but because we had so many, we have organized them into three separate episodes. This is the first of three episodes and we are going to answer all your time management questions.
ANSWERING YOUR TIME MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS:
Below are the questions we have answered. Even if we did not get to answer all the questions that were asked you are able to gain some informative insight into how we manage our time.
Have you got any tips for not working too much during quarantine? From arrustemaj1How do you balance your time away from school with school work on extended breaks? From ms.brittnidoyleHow do you find the balance between planning ahead and being flexible? From hawth018How do you make the best use of your planning time? We have 40 minutes a day. From thecaffinatedcandidclassroomWhat time management tips do you have for a student working on his BA during quarantine? From edgar 780How to spend less time grading but still have a fair and accurate number grade for report cards? From jamiesloan14 How do I have my students have good time management but still do well in class? From teachwith_mrsguire You seem very involved in school and other things. How do you balance it? From ali_malone4Can you go over creating a schedule for your planning to be more productive? From heathnoel34How do you make time for your podcast, tpt, etc. businesses on top of teaching? From wajwilliams4How do you manage to plan time for other obligations besides teaching? Ex: Youtube From teachingwithpositivityTop tip for 1st year teachers to establish work-life balance? I start my first job in August. From baker_girl_91How much prep time you have a week & how your contract hours compare to student hour From teachinginthegoldenstateDo you recommend planning your entire week ahead of time or preparing day to day? From arthur_dynastyHow do you manage your time and stay productive in the summer? From scout1283What is the biggest time saving tip you can give? From dashielberkofficialCONCLUSION
Time management is determining the value in return for each task that you complete in a given day. Ask yourself whether the task is helping you towards your goals, and define your time blocks to completing those tasks that get you closer.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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Before the world was sent into a world-wide pandemic, many of us were content in our lives as paper-loving teachers. Suddenly, our world shifted and many of us were forced to accept the digital lifestyle.
But instead of focusing on the inconveniences and the problems with everything moving to digital, we have to shift our mindsets and adapt by finding ways to overcome our grievances. Today, we are sharing some small changes that you can make in order to better organize your digital life. By taking these small steps you will feel more productive and be able to better manage your time.
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR DIGITAL LIFE
Tip #1: Set Alarms
Tip #2: Set Times to Complete Specific Tasks
Tip #3: Streamline your Apps/Websites
Tip #4: Digitize your Paperflow
Tip #5: Utilize Templates
CONCLUSION
One of the biggest reasons so many of us have never fully committed to going digital is because we have never really had to do it. This is the time to get your feet wet and begin transitioning your life online. Start slow and small and build as you go. If you start trying too much too fast you risk feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and dropping it all together.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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We have to be honest with you all.
When word was getting out that school may start to shut down, we were actually a little excited. Now hold on! We had NO idea what this was all going to turn into, but originally, we thought this was a chance to catch-up on things and to have a break.
Fast-forward three months and here we are, still in quarantine-ish and trying to make it through to the end of the school year. That said, we’ve experienced some struggles and some victories during these last three months.
Today, we want to share with you our struggles and victories during quarantine and distance learning. Be sure to listen in on the conversation. You might find that what you were/are struggling with is the same as ours.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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Listen in with Bridget as you join her for a week in the life of distance learning, being a mom, a wife and running two businesses while in grad school. Bridget talks all about projects and how she plans on managing those projects during the week in order to accomplish her big goals.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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Teachers all around the world are working to establish a new "normal" routine as schools are being shut down and teachers are asked to give instruction from home.
Join Michelle as she invites you to see how she navigates being a teacher during the COVID-19 shut down. You will hear how she works to schedule her day, accomplishes her goals and has to make adjustments because things just happen.
This is a week-in-the-life of a teacher at home.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWAre you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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We are getting so close to the end of the school year and with all the things that take place during the end of year, it's important that we begin planning for what the summer will look like for us and how we can best set ourselves up for starting the next year stress free and seamlessly.
If you are like so many teachers out there, you may not have access to your classroom the entire summer, and this means that you need to be even more prepared before you leave at the end of the school year. We have one simple trick that will help you be prepared to leave at the end of the year and get a head start on the next school year.
We’ve all had experiences with setting up a first-aid kit, and we don’t create our first-aid kits as we are tending to our injuries. No. We do this in preparation for a time when we do get hurt and need to access the materials quickly. Getting a headstart on the next year is very similar to setting up a first-aid kit. The purpose is to get you prepared for what is going to come!
Unlike a first-aid kit, you need a decent size box or container to house all the materials in your Back-to-School kit. We have created a helpful checklist filled with categories and ideas that will help you get a jumpstart to filling your kit and to help give you ideas as you think of more items that work best for you and your classroom.
CATEGORIES TO INCLUDE IN YOUR KIT:
[3:16] #1: Student materials with names
[7:10] #2: Student materials without names
[10:27] #3: Teacher materials
[12:55] #4: Instructional materials
Now, we recognize that this is a lot to get done before the end of the school year. Parents and volunteers are always so helpful during the end of the year. Ask for volunteers to make copies and begin prepping materials that you know you will need at the start of the year.
And if the stress of getting this kit together is already starting to stress you out, please remember that you do not have to have this done by the end of the year. Consider taking this home with you and work on it over the summer.
Just remember that you do NOT want to unload this box at home. This will open up the possibilities of losing items and things getting damaged. The box is truly meant to house your materials and keep things safe.
Click HERE to download the FREE Back to School Kit Checklist!
CONCLUSION
The end and beginning of the year are the most stressful times for any teacher. Taking the appropriate measures to ensure that you have all the materials you need to make each one go smoothly is worth the extra time it takes to create a survival kit.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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We have all felt it. You know. That feeling of success and that feeling of complete and utter defeat. When you feel really good in one area, another area suffers, and this leads you to feel self-doubt and anxiety that you are not performing the way that you should be. The answer is not to be good at everything or get all the things checked off your to-do but more about finding the balance that works for you and those individuals that are in your life.
This is the one thing that so many people ask us: “How do you do it all?” People see us and the videos we put out, but they don’t realize that we had to sacrifice a date night or got into an argument for working too hard in order to make it happen. All you see in our social media presence are happy moments.
Now while you may not be on social media, you still have a lot of parts that you play in your own life. All those parts require your attention and in order to ensure that you slow it down and pay attention to your mental and physical health, we have some tips on how to feel like a good teacher without feeling overwhelmed.
[4:46] Tips for Feeling Like a good Teacher, Mom, Wife, etc… Without Feeling Overwhelmed
[5:20] Tip #1: Stop comparing yourself to other teachers
[8:07] Tip #2: Let go of perfectionism
[10:38] Tip #3: Say no to some things so you can say yes to other things
[13:55] Tip#4: Stop moving the goal post
[15:38] Tip #5: Return the focus to your students
Above all, remember that what you give every day in and outside of the classroom is appreciated by so many. You are making a difference and giving back. Stop being like everyone else and instead be you. There is, after all, only one you.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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While we may not be in the classroom right now, there is something very motivating and inspiring about listening to others get through a work week.
Join Michelle Ferré in a week of teaching before COVID-19, and listen as she works to accomplish her goals and get things done. Michelle will share her tips and strategies that work for her as she gets through teaching, running a business, and completing grad school.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWAre you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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We’ve all had those moments when we wake up and we already know that attempting to make through to the day with our 20+ students is just NOT going to happen. This is where you fall under two categories: 1. You begin stressing out because you have nothing ready but need to somehow will yourself to get your plans together for a sub or 2. You have all your things laid out and ready to go so that anyone walking in can easily pick up where you left off.
Which are you?
Have your lessons and materials ready to go before you leave the next day can not only help you in emergency situations but it can also help you to feel less stressed and happier. The struggle is just getting to the point where this becomes a habit and not a chore.
In today’s episode, we are discussing the steps you can start taking today in order to feel prepared for the next.
It’s probably no surprise that checklists are an easy way to always ensuring that you are leaving feeling prepared. This was you don’t forget to leave something off on those days where your brain is a bit foggy or flustered and it becomes somewhat of a ritual for you. The benefit of having a checklist is that you can re-use it time and time again. We also love that you can share this checklist with your teacher-bestie and on those days where things just don’t go as planned you always have someone there who has your back!
[5:47] STEPS FOR CREATING A CHECKLIST
[5:59] Benefit of a checklist over a to-do list
[7:38]Step #1: Find a repetitive task to create a checklist for
[8:44] Step #2: Write down all of your steps as you are doing it
[11:09] Step #3: Find ways to minimize your checklist
[13:09] Step #4: Store your checklist
[15:47] Step #5: Use it and reset it
Click HERE to download the FREE Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Ideal Checklist!
CONCLUSION
Once you solidify your checklist, you can use it on a daily basis and know that you have finished everything you need to finish in order to be prepared for the next day! This means that you can leave school feeling stress-free!
Don’t forget to go back and revise as you find that your needs are changing for that routine. We find that we did more for our learners at the beginning of the year than at the end of the year. So because their needs changed, our routines changed.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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This is a topic that we think you all are going to absolutely LOVE! Today, we are talking about lesson planning. Yup. We said it. Lesson Planning. We want to dive deep into getting your lesson plans done so that you can leave on Friday feeling ready for the next week.
But here is the thing, lesson planning is NOT a to-do. It’s not something you write to write down on your checklist because lesson planning is a project. In this case, it is a recurring project. When we understand that lesson planning is a project then we are more capable of tackling it with a separate process. A process that is unique to project planning.
Now, if you are already asking the question, “Am I able to apply this to any project?” Absolutely! You can! We are using lesson planning as an example for this episode because it is a project that EVERY teacher has on their plate, but you can use these steps for any project no matter if it is a one-time project or recurring project.
7 Steps to Lesson Planning Like a PRO!
[6:50] Step #1: Define your End
[8:37] Step #2: Set Your Deadline
[10:13] Step #3: Brain Dump
[14:03] Step #4: Create a List of Materials
[15:28] Step #5: Group Related Tasks Together
[19:10] Step #6: Find the Time to Batch
[20:20] Step #7: Monitor Your Progress
[20:58] Review of the Steps
CONCLUSION
Leaving school at the end of the week knowing that your plans are ready all the way down to the copies is truly life-changing, but it’s not rocket science. In fact, it’s quite simple when you break things down into actionable steps that allow you to see the whole process. Give this a try and be sure to share how it has worked for you!
Click HERE to download the FREE Project Planning Organizer!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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Every teacher dreams of what their classrooms would look like. The thought of bringing your likes and splashes of personality to your room excites you as you begin looking for jobs. But this joy of having your own class quickly dims as the reality of the work, papers, clutter, and organization begin taking over.
You realize, very quickly in fact, that those twenty-three bodies take up way more space than you originally thought, and don’t get us started on all the school supplies and learning materials!
The reality of it all combined with the quick pace of the day makes you forget about the original vision you had and instead see what your classroom may really be, cluttered.
5 MISTAKES THAT MAKE YOUR CLASSROOM LOOK AND FEEL CLUTTERED
[2:44] Mistake #1: Having Containers That Lack Functionality
[9:18] Mistake #2: Having Classroom Themes or Color Schemes that are NOT Cohesive
[14:30] Mistake #3: Having Mix Matched Labels
[19:06] Mistake #4: Displaying Trinkets and Decorations that DON’T Serve a Purpose
[24:10] Mistake #5: Filling Every Space
Our classrooms are like our second homes. We spend a lot of time in our classrooms and we want them to feel calm and inviting to guests and students. Hopefully by sharing some of the mistakes that we have made in the past, you will have the opportunity to avoid or begin transitioning your classroom into feeling less cluttered and more organized!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
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We all have those teachers in our buildings. You know. The ones that have it all together and are able to leave no more than 20 minutes after the kids are dismissed. They seem so cool, calm and collected and have every resource printed and ready to go.
Each time you see them, you secretly wonder “How. How are they able to do it all?” You beat yourself up because you wonder what you are doing wrong and why you can’t be like that teacher. We have all felt this way at some point in our careers. Our goal is to help give you strategies so that you can be that teacher.
We’ve broken down this topic into three important categories: Time, Productivity and Organization. See what we did there?
[5:00] TIME
[5:06] Using Micro-Productivity[6:56] Batching [9:42] Plan to Tackle Your To-Dos[10:59] ORGANIZATION
[18:32] PRODUCTIVITY
Click HERE to download the FREE Monthly Guide to Your Planning Success!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!
