Whether you’re a seasoned vet at teaching or a newbie, one thing is for sure: teaching is a taxing career. There is so much to keep up with on an individual and group basis. And this isn’t even counting classroom management and making lesson plans! You may struggle to stay on top of it all, but the key lies in staying organized. Today, Toddly shares some essential advice for doing just that.

Tech Tools to Utilize

According to Lumen Learning, teaching is getting a tech makeover, where tech is getting more integrated into the classroom. Utilizing technology can also help you stay more organized while designing an engaging classroom. Here are some essential tech tools all teachers need to try:

• Google Classroom: if you're looking for a way to streamline your lesson planning and delivery, then Google Classroom is a must-have tool. With Classroom, you can create and distribute assignments, track student progress, and send feedback – all in one place.
• Kahoot!: Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform perfect for making learning fun. With Kahoot!, you can create quizzes and surveys and then share them with your students. They can play along in real-time, and you can see how they're doing.
• Quizlet: Quizlet is a flashcard and quiz-making tool that's ideal for helping students memorize critical information. With Quizlet, you can create digital flashcards and share them with your students. They can study them at their own pace, and you can track their progress.
• Socrative: Socrative is a student response system that allows you to gauge student understanding in real time. With Socrative, you can create quizzes, polls, and surveys and then share them with your students. They can respond using their smartphones, and you can see the results in real time.
• Walk Score Maps: Getting kids out of the classroom regularly is a great strategy for helping them manage excess energy. By taking time to stretch their legs, they can work out the wiggles and return to their seats more focused and ready to learn. Utilizing a walk score map to identify the best pedestrian-friendly areas nearby for your walks can enhance this experience.
• Toddly: Toddly is your trusted partner in finding the ideal early childhood learning center for your child. It transforms the way parents engage with early childhood learning centers, making the enrollment process not only easier but also more accessible and enjoyable.

Cleaning the Classroom

Delegating organizational tasks to students is an effective way to keep your classroom tidy while engaging them in the process. Consider making a game out of cleaning time to add an element of fun and competition.

For example, you could set up a timer and challenge students to see who can neatly organize their desk area the fastest, or create teams to tidy different sections of the classroom. Rewards can be given for the neatest area or the most efficient team. This approach not only helps maintain a clean classroom but also teaches students responsibility and teamwork, all while making the chores feel like a playful and enjoyable activity.

Digitize Your Records

Teachers typically have many documents, from grading assignments to lesson plans and rubrics. It can be tricky to keep track of all these documents, especially as they span different topics, subjects, and areas. The ECM Consultant notes that digitizing your 'paper' records and other documents will be the way to stay on top of it all.

Keep Up With Your Goals

As a teacher, your goals are likely constantly changing depending on your teaching class or deliverables. At the start of the school year or semester, sit down and list out all your goals for that academic period. This will provide you with an overview of all your tasks and concrete jobs to work towards. Breaking it down into smaller pieces can make it more manageable when establishing a specific goal. This is one of the best ways to keep up with your goals, as once you reach all your mini-goals, you will accomplish your larger goals as well!

Effective Classroom Management

There are a variety of strategies that teachers can use to promote effective classroom management. One important method is establishing clear rules and expectations for student behavior at the beginning of the school year or semester. These rules should be specific and clearly stated and posted in a visible location in the classroom. It is also essential to enforce these rules consistently, using positive reinforcement when students follow the rules and negative consequences when they do not.

Some other strategies include providing clear and concise instructions, maintaining a positive attitude, using verbal and nonverbal cues to control student behavior, and using various instructional strategies to keep students engaged in learning.

Use Tech to Help You Manage Your Teaching Responsibilities

Ready to take the teaching world by storm? Organization is your key to success! Once you figure out how to manage your workload effectively and keep track of all your responsibilities, you'll see everything go on autopilot. Don't forget to set yourself up for success by digitizing your paper records and using other organizational tools to make your journey easier!