Operation Organization

Teaching Pre K-8, Aug/Sep 2005 by Bafumo, Mary Ellen

Best Practices

A commitment to organization is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this year

The new school year is, first and foremost, an opportunity for a new start. If you're among the fortunate ones who had a vacation and time to reflect this summer, you've surely considered ways to be more effective in the classroom and make life easier at home this year. There are many ideas and activities that fit the bill, but there's one that really works in the classroom and at home because it's the foundation for most others. Better still, you're already engaged in it at some level, so that makes for an advanced entry point. It's easy to overlook this idea because it encompasses activities that may seem obvious.

One of the major contrasts between effective teachers and their less effective counterparts is their level of organization. Teaching skills, content knowledge and classroom management ability are critical indicators, too. But organizational skills are at the heart of all the others. In talking with exceptional teachers across the country and abroad, each cites organization as a primary strength.

Organizing your teaching

A key component of effective teaching - teaching that motivates students and leads to understanding and achievement - is high-quality lesson preparation. Every teacher knows that this is a time-consuming activity, especially for topics where additional information and materials are needed. If you aren't already engaged in the following organizational activities, now is the time to start. Consistent use of these ideas will save you time, create efficient habits and enhance the quality of your lessons.

* Use your planning time to plan. This is truly mastering the obvious. Most school districts have mandated preparation time and try to schedule grade levels and subject areas for common planning time. Once scheduling is in place, it's up to you to use the time effectively. Using designated time at school will cut down on the time you spend at home on planning.

* Plan with your team or other colleagues if you have common planning time. The adage "two heads are better than one" describes the advantage of teaming. Many minds focused on the same topic, working off strengths and sharing the same goal of excellent lessons produces a higher quality product than any one person can.

* Use the Internet to research topics and locate materials, many of which can be downloaded free of charge. Google is a great all-purpose search engine for any topic. Be sure to also refer to Teaching K-8's Technology in Your Classroom section for detailed information about websites and ways in which technology can assist teaching and learning.

* Keep track of what works (see "One Simple Habit," my August/September 2004 column about creating a Personal Teaching Record) so you don't have to guess about materials and strategies when reusing a lesson.

* Create a filing system for materials and lessons. Weed out what doesn't work before you file, and file for reuse quickly. When lessons and materials pile up, they get scattered.

Organizing your home

Time, or the lack of it, is a major stress factor for teachers. Lesson preparation time aside, just trying to get out of the house, especially if there are children to move along, is often difficult. Lessen the stress and save a minimum of 15 minutes each morning with the following activities:

* Set out clothes, shoes and accessories the night before. Teach your children to do the same and monitor their choices. It eliminates surprises in the morning.

* Lobby for school uniforms. Teachers in schools with uniforms usually wear the adult versions and love the time and money-saving aspects. This practice also quickly identifies adults who are not staff members, so safety comes into play, too.

* Get your next day's teaching materials packed and placed by the door. If you don't already own several from conferences, treat yourself to a big tote bag or roomy briefcase to hold everything.

* Pack lunches the night before, or at the very least, know what you will be putting together in the morning for yourself and your family.

* Know where your keys are before you go to bed. Your best bet - keep them with your materials by the door.

* Keep an umbrella in the car or a portable one in your tote bag so you don't have to hunt for one on rainy days. .

Getting organized is the single best commitment you can make for the new school year. You're probably halfway there. Be sure to use this article as a checklist to see what you already do, then try tackling the remaining ideas one at a time - you'll be off to great school year!

Mary Ellen Bafumo is a Program Director for the Council of Educational Change, an Annenberg legacy group. E-mail: bafumome@aol.com