TSC Ep 011- Planning Time Hacks to Save Your Sanity Artwork

The Simple Classroom Podcast

A podcast devoted to discussing simple solutions to all of our teacher problems! Each week, Stephanie Sutherland, an educator and teacher-author for a combined 12 years, discusses prompts centered around her own classroom experiences, or the difficult experiences of others, and shares her thoughts and feelings. The door is open for you to join the discussion on social media to share your own thoughts and feelings alongside other educators!

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The Simple Classroom Podcast

TSC Ep 011- Planning Time Hacks to Save Your Sanity

February 21, 2023 • Stephanie Sutherland • Season 1 • Episode 11

In a 7.5 hour school day, how much time do you spend NOT with students?

It's not much, right?

For me, I have a 45 minute planning. That quickly turns into a 35 minute planning when you consider the time that it takes to walk the kids to their specials class, get settled, and then head to pick them up.

I also have a 30 minute lunch. When you shave off transition time for going to and coming back from lunch, that's closer to 20 minutes.

20 minutes + 35 minutes = 55 minutes A DAY that I am not with kids.

That means that, in my 40 hour work week, I have less than 5 hours for prep. My guess is you have a similar situation.

What are we expected to do in that short time each week?

Plan small groups
Plan whole group
Run copies
Grade assignments
Enter grades
Cut/laminate things
Feed ourselves
Take bathroom breaks
Hydrate
Respond to emails
Host parent conferences
...and the list goes on!

I am not going to lie to you and say that I have all of the solutions you need for the perfect planning time. I am not going to pretend that I always get everything done before the week is over.

BUT. I get a lot done before the week is over. And most weeks I go home work-free on the weekends. I have some planning time hacks to share with you all today to show how I do it!

Listen in to learn more!

Show Notes: