by Brittany Daniels
Representative Maxine Waters of California is known for not mincing words, speaking her mind, and most recently reclaiming her time during a House Financial Services Committee hearing.
Maybe it’s just me, but I can think of a few times when I have wanted to reclaim my time in the classroom. After all, isn’t time the one thing of which there never seems to be enough? Our time with our students has to be protected, and, when something or someone tries to steal it, reclaimed!
Granted, there are time-stealers that are beyond our control, but many more are within our power to reclaim. Start by making a list of things within and outside your control. For example, assemblies, fire drills, professional development, and some meetings may be beyond your control. To reclaim the time lost in these instances, be a good steward over the time that is left. What are you doing with the time you do have?
The list of time-stealers within my control includes transitions, mild behavior disruptions, and unclear expectations I may have communicated to my students. Reclaiming my time means being clear and direct about what I expect of students—at all times, no excuses, no exceptions. Have students practice explicitly explained procedures as many times as necessary. Be sure that when we send students off to read or write independently, they are clear about the work they are doing and how to get it done. One thing I know for sure is that students will do exactly what we have taught directly (through modeling) or indirectly (the few times we let it slide).
As we approach the remainder of the school year, let's use some of our time to make a list of time-stealers, and prepare a list of ways to reclaim the precious time lost. January 2018 is a perfect time to reteach (or new-teach) routines, procedures, and behaviors that support learning. After all, time not spent reading, writing, speaking, listening, and engaging in a classroom is wasted time. Reclaim it!
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