Good news: I get high marks for my instruction, working with kids, parents, etc. I love teaching and I can say I'm good at it.
Bad news: When you come into my classroom, it's probably shocking how messy my desk is, and how much stuff is around. I am a visual person, so I tend to leave stuff out. However, that's no excuse -- the piles of papers and stuff take over by Friday and it's embarassing and probably unprofessional.
Neat people, this question is not for you because I don't know how you think and cannot relate to your process. However, sloppy/visual people: how have you conquered this problem and kept it conquered? Please help!
Thank you!!!!
2007-02-04 02:29:35 · 6 answers · asked by Wondering 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I feel your pain!
I resolved to become better at organizing my desk because as you said; it is embarrassing. I had a sub one day and while I was out she straightened my desk. She explained that she was just trying to help, and since she had extra time she hoped I did not mind. Talk about embarrassing!
I would end up with papers that needed filing for an entire 9 weeks. Then I would end up not filing them in the correct chapter and then having to make new papers the next year.
This is what I do:
When I make photocopies I take my originals and stack them separately. Then I put them in the folder right away that I leave out on my desk. I leave the folder there until we finish the unit.
When I pass out papers to kids I take out extra papers for any student that is absent and I write their names on it. I then place them in my gradebook or you can use a folder. When the absent student returns I am not searching for the paper nor do I have to go and make another copy. When students turn in work I also place it inside my gradebook. I do not like to have my gradebook overflowing so it is motiviation to get things graded right away.
After I pass out the papers to all of my classes if there are a few left I recycle them. If a student needs an extra then they can get it from the recycling box.
I used to have passes strewn around my desk from when kids would come in from the counselor or come in late. Every day I gather them and recycle them. It takes just a few seconds.
Hope this helps. It helped me a lot.
2007-02-04 03:12:24 · answer #1 · answered by Melanie L 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a teacher, but I have been in the classroom several times of my kids and thought, how un-organized. So this would be my solution:
Have stacking trays, as each assignment is completed, put a paperclip/rubberband around them and stick them in the need to be graded bin, if you have time, have the children exchange papers and grade them, then they can go in the needs to be filed bin.
Buy a filing bin ($8 Walmart) and file folders with labels, to file the weeks papers in, one for each child
Have a student or parent help record grades at your convienience or theirs.
Each afternoon, inlist the help of a student, and have them file everything into the folder of the child.
Every friday papers are ready to be distributed back to the students.
Over the weekend you can tally up the grades and grade any tests from Friday yourself or wait until monday and have one of your helpers complete the job for you.
2007-02-12 00:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by hotmama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel your pain! Here are some things that help me:
1. Develop an organizational system and use it. For example, have a box/bin for ungraded work, one for graded work, one for things to file, and one for extras. The one for extras can be a recycling bin.
2. Spend 10-15 minutes a day organizing yourself. I set a timer and focus exclusively on the task of organization. In a few days, things will be much better.
3. Put something on your desk you don't want to cover up. Then you won't be tempted to pile up your desk.
Good luck!
2007-02-04 12:40:47 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should put AND organize your papers in folders or maps... Don't just put them like mad, but try to organize them so it will be easier to search for something because you said it was pile of papers.... For other things, try to put them neatly. How? Arrange them. You can sort them chronologically or something like that. Hope this helps............
2007-02-11 09:33:37 · answer #4 · answered by Tim 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that feeling my room is so messy. First try to seperate the things you nedd and the things that you doen't need. Then keep the things you need into drawer. The things you doesn't need, you can recycle it or do things you want it to be done. Hope I help
2007-02-10 11:22:31 · answer #5 · answered by charmaynechan1992 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get organizer trays
2007-02-10 13:30:31 · answer #6 · answered by jerry 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋