I'm only just getting through the book the first time, but I'm not quite sure how to manage my projects list as a teacher. In any given week, I'll have 6 classes per day, 3 days per week. For each class, I need to plan, enter assignments into classroom management software, make copies, review notes before class, remember to bring certain supplies, teach the class, put away supplies and notes, and then start over. Every class day, every week, for 34 weeks each year. I don't quite know how to set that up to get the pieces off my mind. Do I make each class a project? Create a checklist? And if I do create a checklist, I'm still not sure how to put it on my projects list.
Any teachers out there who can help me grasp how this works?
My sister-in-law is a lecturer and we went through her system a few years back and came up with something that worked for her. I'd recommend having one class = one area of focus (ie something you're responsible for). So in your case, you'd have 18 Areas of Focus plus a couple of others for the stuff you do outside of those classes.
For each class (AOF), you will have a bunch of one-off or recurring Projects to complete (Review notes, order supplies, mark work, etc). At your weekly review, you can check each class to help you think about what Projects need adding or working on.
"Class 1 needs some more supplies, Class 2 I need to chase parent permission slips, Class 3 I need to freshen up my teaching notes, etc"
As you've rightly noted, a checklist would be
very helpful here. Essentially you're going to do the same menu of things with every class, just not all at the same time. So a list you can go through to check that everything is ok would save you a lot of time.
After each weekly review, you'd have something like
(Area of Focus)
- (Project)
- (Next Action)
Class 1
- Update supplies
- Email colleague with a request for more workbooks @email
Class 2
- Get completed permission slips from all parents
- Type out a letter to give to each pupil @computer
Class 3
- Update teaching notes
- Check the teaching portal for recommended curriculum changes @computer
(Obviously, I'm guessing at the kind of work you actually do)
One other thing, teaching life is so regimented that you might benefit from timeblocking more than other people. If Wed afternoon is always non-classroom time, and you have 3 hours of reviewing students' work to do every single week, might not be a bad idea to block it off as your weekly time to do just that.