Let’s face it, teachers are busy beavers. As a busy teacher myself, I am always trying to find a good work/life balance. Aren’t we all? 😉 This week we are going to chat about how to take advantage of the 🌸 Spring Cleaning buzz that’s going around and how to apply that to our teaching resources. Keep reading!
Busy Teacher Syndrome
It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed with our life workload. Many of us are juggling careers, kids, family, housework…🤹♀️ We hear and read it all the time; one way to save time and be more efficient is to stay organized and clutter-free as much as possible. Not only should we strive for our own version of this, but we should also apply this philosophy to our teaching resources as well, especially digital ones.
Busy Teacher Spring Cleaning Tips
If you take a peek at my computer files, you will find that digital resources and files have quickly piled up into many areas of my computer’s memory. This week, I am sitting down to reorganize my resources. I’d like to challenge you to do the same. 😊
When your digital resources are scattered throughout different computer folders, you spend a lot of time just looking for the resource that you know you definitely have 😉. You waste time hunting for that resource only to find out that you never did purchase it. Ugh! But wait, a week from now you will find it and you’ll realize that you now have two almost identical resources. It’s not always a bad thing, but it can be.
Teaching materials must be organized so that you can use them effectively and always have them ready to go for a lesson. What if you start teaching virtually again (if you aren’t) on a moment’s notice? Would you have what you need for this time of the year? Maybe, or maybe not. 🤷♀️ Take some time in the next few weeks to look through your files and digital resources.
Find a way that works for you to organize them. Figure out what you need and what you may have too much of. Did you buy way too many of one subject matter during the craziness of last year? Maybe some of your teacher friends might need a digital resource that you don’t use anymore. Reach out to the creator and see if you can gift your resource license to another teacher.
Not Just Another Spring Cleaning Checklist…
Yes, you know what’s coming…a checklist. But, wait! ✋ Don’t stop reading. This is not your typical, everyday checklist that you are finding all over the internet right now. Oh, no. This really will help you. I use it, and it has really helped me focus on what digital resources I have and what I need to meet all of my students’ needs.
You see, busy teachers also spend a lot of time searching for perfect resources that we can use to meet standards or to extend learning. Or, like this school year, we needed them for distant learning. Another thing that happens is that you spend a lot of time searching for a resource and then it doesn’t quite match your teaching style or it’s missing something important in the lesson. Have you found this to be true when you search?
With all of this time wasted searching through other people’s digital resources, you could have made your own! Yes, that’s right. You! Obviously, you don’t have to create all of your resources. You could just start by filling in the gaps. For example, I 💜 math (if you couldn’t tell already). So, I actually prefer to make my own math digital resources. This way, I can really customize the lessons to match my style and my students’ needs. Keep reading for the checklist link.
Make Next Year’s Spring Cleaning Easier!
I am sharing the checklist that I am using this week to start the spring cleaning of my digital math resources for the year. This checklist will help you begin organizing your digital resources. Obviously, we are starting with math resources 😉. Remember, it’s all about baby steps. One subject matter at time.
Spring Break and Summer holiday are wonderful times to get your digital resources in order and figure out what you really need to add to your resource library. They are also great times to dip into the digital-resource creation scene. Interested in creating your own? I have a 5-step workbook that will help you plan your first resource. Click HERE to get it, and let me know if you’d like to try your hand at it. I can help. These are also great times to get creative without having the pressure of running your classroom and juggling waaaay too many things. 😊
Once you start creating, it gets really addictive. You start to realize that you can change the colors and fonts to be anything you like. You can have your own teacher brand colors 😉. You’ll start to get a feel for what your students like. And, it’s so easy! I promise. I can even show you how. First, you have to plan. Grab the planner HERE and then let me know when you’re ready for the next step.
Want to see one that I whipped together real fast? I was making waffles with my daughter and had a great idea for a counting digital resource. So, when she went down for a nap, I designed this one in under 30 minutes. Check it out!
That example is not a random one. I get inspired to create digital resources all the time. And so will you! First, start with a plan. Here’s a planner to get started. Next, go through and “Spring Clean 🌺 ” your digital resource files. Here is the checklist to get started. Then, you will have a definite idea on what you need to purchase or create on your own 😉. Comment below if you are Spring Cleaning this week, and let’s cheer each other on!
Have great week!
Jess @Savvy Apple
P.S.: Follow me on Instagram and Facebook where I will be sharing other Spring Cleaning tips for busy teachers this week!