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The Best Teacher Advice Ever!

Home » The Best Teacher Advice Ever!
boy holding egg timer

The Best Teacher Advice Ever!

I’ve been thinking about how overwhelming things were my first few years of teaching. Well, let’s be honest – things can still get overwhelming – but for different reasons now. 😀  Anyway, I began to recall the best teacher advice I ever received and I wanted to share it with you.

When I first started teaching, I was fortunate to have some fabulous veteran master-teachers around who dispensed a lot of great advice. When I reflect on many of the things I do in my classroom, I can still remember which one told me about each little tool I use. And I thank the teacher gods for sending those teachers my way. 😀

There are so many things I have picked up from others over the years, but one of my favorites and constant “go-to’s” is time notification.

S.L.O.W. Workers

In my first year, I was struggling a lot with reluctant workers. So many of my kids would just not kick it into gear. A veteran teacher was visiting my classroom one day and witnessed my frustration. I told her I had no idea how to get everything done when the kiddos can’t get even the simplest things completed in a timely manner and everything takes.so.long. 

She said you need to give them “time notification” – frequently. Timers are not nearly as effective. 

Boy holding an egg timer with best teacher advice heading

When I explained that first graders didn’t really have much of an understanding of time, she told me it wouldn’t matter.

I didn’t believe her. She taught 3rd graders. I didn’t think she could possibly understand first grade kiddos. But I tried it.

A Reluctant Try

“Boys and girls, you only have 5 minutes left. Get a move on!” I announced. Within a couple minutes they were done and ready for the next thing. I had been taught to use a timer to indicate transition and the end of certain areas of practice or activities. I was pulling my hair out because there were always so many kids who weren’t finished when that timer went off. Then, after the timer went off, there was the additional time needed for them to get ready for the next thing, finish their last thought, color that last piece, etc. And here… all I did was announce a period of minutes that sounded very tiny to those kiddos and they were able to finish what previously took eons.

She left my room telling me to try it throughout the day – with everything – so they get used to it. I was concerned because I still wasn’t sure how long certain things should take all kids. Won’t that stress the slower ones out?  “Just make up a time. They will get moving. They’ll be fine.”

Would it Really Work

I have to admit, I was hesitant to do this. But once I saw how well it worked, I used it quite a bit. “There’s only another couple minutes for this.” “Everyone has 10 minutes to complete this task, stay focused.” During lessons where we’ve moved on to independent practice I’d say… “Ok. Now it’s your turn. Spend the next 90 seconds working on the next 2 problems.”

She was so right. It works. Every.single.time. It truly is the best teacher advice! Even after all these years. Nearly every time I call out a random time in which I want the kiddos to finish – they work to meet the deadline. There are still those stragglers that no amount of time calling will motivate. But they are few and far between.

Moreover, the kiddos are not spending time looking at the timer or waiting for the last ten-second countdown. Those that can already tell time generally have no issue working within the time-constraints I give.

When it turns out that the time I allotted was not enough, I extend the time without saying anything – just a reminder that we have a few more moments (again I’m not truly tracking time to the second here). When we simply need to move on, we do.

I have also learned to give myself permission to move on and not let those stragglers run my class. If 2 or 4 out of my 30 kiddos have not completed something, they put it in their unfinished work folder and we move on. They can finish those assignments during some other part of the day when there is time, during recess, or at home. 

I still use all of my other behavior management tools. But for completing work on time, time notification has proved more effective than my timer for most things. So simple, easy, universal and effective. My favorite kind of tool for my teacher tool belt.

I would love to hear about the best teacher advice you’ve ever received. Leave a comment below and give us some advice! 🙂

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15 Comments

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  • Barbara
    · Reply

    March 2, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    I use "time notification" too but I've never heard it called that. That's a good name.
    I'll link up when I can get my ol' brain in gear:) Good idea for a linky, Traci!

    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

  • Annie Moffatt
    · Reply

    March 2, 2013 at 4:49 AM

    What a GREAT linky!! I think a lot of new teachers and veteran teachers can benefit from this!! LOVE it!

  • Ms.M from Teachingisagift
    · Reply

    March 2, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    I linked up a recent post I wrote which was more about advice I had given to teacher candidates in my classroom. The same issue keeps arising so I wrote about it and attached a freebie as well. I hope that this meets with your criteria for the linky party. I think it is a great idea!
    http://teachingisagift.blogspot.ca

  • R addington
    · Reply

    March 2, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    I don't know if this was the best advice ever, but it's pretty good. I was told how to organize test papers. I give them out once a week, but it was taking me forever! Now I pick 4 kids, hand them each a stack and say go, go, go! They pass them out to their classmates as fast as they can. If I have a lot of papers, I pick 5 or 6 kids. Then everybody stacks their papers and I call them up by tables and staple on the cover sheet. Done in ten minutes or less! Everyone has their own way but this has been the biggest time saver for me.

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      March 3, 2013 at 3:01 AM

      Using the kids for that manual labor is DEFINITELY fabulous advice! Such a time saver, you're right!

  • Angelia
    · Reply

    March 2, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    I linked up, too. What a great idea and I love your blog!

    Angelia
    Extra Special Teaching

  • Fluttering Through First Grade
    · Reply

    March 3, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    This is so true. We've never really thought about it, but this is great advice and does work much better than timers. You've got us racking our brains…Love this linky!

    Christy & Tammy
    Fluttering Through First Grade

  • Sandy
    · Reply

    March 3, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    What a great linky!!! I am going to think about this and link up soon! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!!

  • Emilyson
    · Reply

    March 3, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    I learned from another teacher to always set up your classroom for the next day before you leave school. If for any reason, you run late one morning then you're board, schedule, etc. are all ready to go. It's definitely come in handy!

  • Mrs. Bartel's School Family (Alyce)
    · Reply

    March 4, 2013 at 12:43 AM

    Thanks for telling about time notification. I am going to use that tomorrow!
    Alyce

    Mrs. Bartel’s School Family

  • Kate
    · Reply

    March 9, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    I do this all the time!! I always feel evil like I'm causing major stress… "You have 2 minutes to finish that whole entire booklet…" Okay, I'm exaggerating… It's a great tip! I'm glad I'm not alone!!

    Kate
    Second Grade Sparkle

  • Ramon Abajo
    · Reply

    March 14, 2013 at 2:03 AM

    Thanks for this wonderful Linky party!
    Best,
    Ramon
    Fonts 4 Teachers
    Fonts 4 Teachers in TPT

  • All Things Elementary
    · Reply

    March 21, 2013 at 11:31 PM

    I found your linky through Fonts 4 Teachers. Thank you for the great advice. I am so happy I found your blog!
    Forever A Teacher, Forever A Learner

  • katie
    · Reply

    March 25, 2013 at 1:26 AM

    What a great idea for a linky party! We can always learn new things for our classroom. I am your newest follower.

    Katie
    A Basket Full of Apples

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      March 25, 2013 at 6:44 AM

      Thanks Katie. I was so sad I didn't get the chance to chat with you yesterday. The time just FLEW by! Next meet up for sure!

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Hi! I’m Traci and I’m super glad you’re here. I’m passionate about sharing all the *wisdom* gained over my many years of teaching. I love helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I believe simplicity and fun coupled with effective strategies and engaging and focused lessons are the key to it all. Also… laughter can carry you through just about all things.

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