Part of the transition into teaching involves a certain stark realization. Which one am I talking about? (I know, there are many.) It’s this: Teaching can quickly become a 60+-hour per week career. If you’re not careful with boundaries and armed with time management tricks, you can get overwhelmed—fast. TikToker @strategicclassroom shares her similar experience. But she also shares a “batching” strategy that helps her feel more in control of her time!
This teacher batches her work—grouping similar tasks to minimize cognitive overload and dedicating specific days to handle them, enhancing focus and efficiency.
Even with a busy teaching schedule, @strategicclassroom explains how you can apply this method. First, categorize your weekly tasks—like grading, planning, and communication—and assign them to specific days. For @strategicclassroom, that meant setting aside Wednesdays exclusively for grading. Not only did it help her manage her workload, but it also created a predictable routine for her students.
Listen to her explain batching here:
Batching examples
I think my favorite thing about this batching hack is where she admits becoming obsessed with productivity science. Here’s a sample weekly schedule under this batching strategy:
- Monday = Planning Day: Outline weekly lessons, prepare materials, review and adjust the curriculum map, or organize cooperative learning activities.
- Tuesday = Communication Day: Respond to parent emails, write newsletters, schedule parent-teacher conferences, or discuss collaborative projects with colleagues.
- Wednesday = Grading Day: Grade assignments and assessments, update grade books, provide written feedback on student work, or analyze class performance trends.
- Thursday = Professional Development: Engage in webinars, read educational research, prepare workshops, collaborate with mentors, or explore new teaching strategies.
- Friday = Creative and Administrative Tasks: Submit orders for supplies, update classroom displays and bulletin boards, or complete administrative paperwork and logs.
Find what works best for you!
@strategicclassroom mentions that only grading on Wednesdays was best for her brain. But maybe you’re a “get grading out of the way on Mondays” person. Or maybe Friday makes the most sense for work that tends to trail in as the week goes on. Or maybe you need to dedicate more than one day to grading. You’ll figure out what makes sense for you. Don’t be afraid to adjust and tweak your batches!
For more on batching, check out these two teachers who share a deep dive on how to get started with batch lesson planning!
While batching may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, it offers a structured approach that can enhance time management and efficiency for your teacher brain. By experimenting with and adapting the batching strategy, teachers can find a rhythm that suits their unique classroom dynamics and personal teaching style and helps manage the workload. Whether you’re new to teaching or looking to refine your methods, consider integrating batching into your routine to create a more organized and effective educational environment.