Teachers in the UK/USA etc. end of the year!

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Teachers in the UK/USA etc. end of the year!

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Started 1 year ago by badkitti
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badkitti
Member

Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah - 2 and a half more days until the long summer hols.
What decluttering projects does this bring up for you?

- I have some free periods tomorrow so its time to clear up my bit of my desk space ready for the long haul next year. As usual this will involve much guilt as paper goes into recycling - goal for next year: plan photocopying better, or just reduce it!

- Go through my day to day folder and remove seating plans, class lists etc.

- Go though old resources and get bin happy

- Look at my school diary and notes and work out how to better use these type of resources next year - always aim for improvement next year before reality kicks in again :)

I was signed off for a term with stress anxiety (not necessarily because of the job) last year - my main goal is to use organisation to help me attempt a whole year.

Posted 1 year ago #
ValH
Member

Well, I was lucky to get end earlier than you and have already started. I was laid off from my latest teaching position (although hopeful I will find another for next year) so I have everything home with me. It is actually nice because my house is a much easier place to just spread everything out than my room was.

I first worked on going through all my files, as guilty as I felt doing it I recycled many extra copies of worksheets and such. I tend to make extra copies in case students need another, but this always leaves me with extras at the end. Next year I am going to just make the number of copies I really need, no more, and scan in the worksheets to go online, if the students need another copy they can get it there.

I am also working on going through my old resources, trying to purge those I have never used and really will never use. I am also going to scan as much of my papers in general as I can. It will save me from having to do this during the school year.

I am also working on bagging up and organizing all my supplies, pens, pencils,... I always feel a bit guilty using zippered plastic bags, but they will really help keep things tidier and easier to get to.

Posted 1 year ago #
badkitti
Member

ValH - "Next year I am going to just make the number of copies I really need, no more, and scan in the worksheets to go online, if the students need another copy they can get it there." Stunning idea - next year our Year 7s, 9s and 10s have a notebook laptop with them online with access to our virtual learning environment so I shall make good use of this.

I have not even thought about electronic resources - my department tends to plan as a team so there is usually something already made, or its revised together completely. However, I have links with a school in africa and tend to e-mail them good electronic resources too, so I need to finish going through the mounds of stuff I 'acquired' in my training year.

I have some old food type jars and pots to sort pens etc. into as well - I rarely buy pens and pencils - students leave themj lying around and I recycle them to the next student who comes without a pen. I have a small funky shoulder bag that I take to all lessons with my stamps and board pens etc in, and that will need turning out and revising too.

Good luck getting another job for next year x

Posted 1 year ago #
ArtGal
Member

I'm currently teaching summer sessions (at the art college where I work), which fortunately are a little more laid back than the regular school year. Went through 35 Rubbermaid tubs of misc. art supplies and am using them all up before start of regular sessions in the fall. The good thing is I didn't have to make up a supply list for the summer sessions, since I had all of this extra stash! :)
Organized all of my reference of past master artists and examples of their work by dates and plan to make discs that I can take to class instead of hauling in 300 pounds of books! (No computer in my room...that would be too easy and convenient ...*sarcasm*)
Am also using up all misc. paper on various projects...got tired of storing it at home (no permanent storage area at school.) This has been (actually) very freeing and forced me to create new and unusual ways to use everything up and de-clutter at the same time...BONUS POINTS!!! :)
One more week to go and then I am done teaching until September (WA-HOOOOOO!)...am working on my own paintings then for exhibitions next year.

I'm sorry to hear about your lay-off ValH...I hope you find something.

Posted 1 year ago #
badkitti
Member

Well, that's 11 crammed ful box files down to 1 now - and a sack of paper for redcycling and a million poly pockets. Thre remaining worksheets can be filed at school for future use. Huzzah - one job down :)

Posted 1 year ago #
terriok
Member

I have always made extra copies- for my own sanity. You never know when an ogre may eat one or a new kid may arrive at your door.
And there are the inevitable boo-boos. The perfectionistic children appreciate extra copies being available if they "really mess up".
Every few months I'd pass out the extra copies which the kids use to take home and play school.
Worked like a charm.

Posted 1 year ago #
ValH
Member

See, my students are in high school, I think having fewer copies would make them have to be a bit more responsible, and by having them available online they at least can replace it if they make a mistake. And inevitably I would probably have an extra copy or two just in case. But we will see what happens and where I am placed for my next job, you never know.

@badkittie, nice job!

Posted 1 year ago #
badkitti
Member

My pupils are in High school too - I usually only have one extra but thats it. I try to discourage the perfectionism at this stage - science exercise books handle crossing out neatly a lot better than tippex everywhere - it then becomes more of a record to look back on (or in some cases to follow instructions in the first place lol).

Only problem is I now need to mark all the books before the class gets handed on so I have the clutter of piles of marking to do over the summer. Booooo

Posted 1 year ago #
Zen friend
Member

I'm reading this thread with great interest as I prepare to go back. (high school)
I'd love to hear new connections folks have made with materials, procedures, etc.

Posted 1 year ago #
ValH
Member

*fingers crossed* I may have a new high school teaching job this school year, I will find out in a couple of weeks.

Even though it is still up in their air I am trying to think of good ways to organize everything in the classroom. One of the things I tried to avoid a lot before was buying organization stuff other than what I already had, this year I think I will go out and buy myself things that will fit my needs better.

Posted 1 year ago #
badkitti
Member

Good Luck ValH!
I did go and buy myself a new pink calculator (lost my old one, grrrr) and a pen pot to organise myself better.

Posted 1 year ago #

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