Chapter 1 - The Together Teacher

Chapter 1 - Rules over Tools...I like this book because it is not preachy. It gives you options and doesn't ask you to go buy anything. It gives you general ideas and lets you taper those ideas with what works for you. Maia gives you 10 "rules" (which I look at as more of a guideline for success):

• 1.  Get everything in one place. (Basically, don't spread your info to the winds! Don't have 5 different calendars with different info on each...one for work...one for home...kids...etc.  I am guilty of this!) Have your info in a portable form that can be synced (ie. web-based program to smartphone, etc)
• 2.  Take it with you. (Make your personal calendar portable. Don't try to keep everything in a 3 in binder! Make sure you can take it with you at all times.)
• 3.  Write everything down.  (Write everything so that you leave space in your brain...we only have so much room in there!)
• 4.  Make it bite-sized.  (Be specific but not wordy...instead of "field trip"...be more specific without being wordy...as in "field trip to Rainforest Adventures, 1-3 pm...send parent reminder")
• 5.  Keep like items with like items.  (Don't mix big to-dos with little to-dos...."clean out closet" should be in a separate area away from "make Dr. appt.")
• 6.  Create a trigger for what you put away.  (Make a note to yourself when you file away an important e-mail that needs later attention (so it doesn't get lost), or other things that can't be dealt with immediately but needs "sooner rather than later" attention.)
• 7.  Mind your energy levels.  (We all know if we are "morning" "afternoon" or "evening" types of people. Save your energy-laden tasks for the times when you are at your best. Do things that don't require as much mental energy for your "down" times).
• 8.  No tool is forever.  (Ain't it the truth!  Jobs, duties, students, work situations, and everything changes. Be ready to change your calendar/tool as other things change.)
• 9.  Own your schedule.  (Be aware of things in your schedule that don't change...ie. work times, time for grading, planning, phone calls, progress reports, and other non-negotiable demands and pencil them in first).
• 10.  Pause to plan.  (Make time each week/month to sit down and write down what needs to be done. Don't forget to schedule in time for family, exercise, and just plain FUN.)

This is, of course, a much abbreviated version of this wonderful first chapter. Maia goes further into each of these "rules". I just wanted to give you an overview and hit the high points.  Let me know what you think....and if you want me to continue sharing this book :)    Teri

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What do I do with these????

I am truly at a loss about what to do with these! I have tried keeping student supplies in them...but as I talked about earlier...too much foot traffic and "sticky fingers". Right now they contain my misc junk. I am looking for ideas for these....ways to organize things or storage????? Shoot ideas to me! (I think I should paint or decorate them in some way too...what do you think??

(Sorta) Empty trays....what to do? what to do????

Also...thought I would share my newest crafty thing I made for my classroom door. I'm sure I stole this idea...but can't remember where (thinking Pinterest???) I tweaked it to my needs. We were asked last year to let the office know if we changed our schedule or where we were during the day in case of emergency or parent pick-up situations, etc. I am going to put this in a heavy duty (Lowes-type) protector and hang it on a plastic hook of my classroom door when we leave for somewhere. I will have my helper change the clothespin to the appropriate place on the schedule. I am thinking of making and laminating some sort of cute arrow to hot glue onto the clothes pin. What do you think????