Rosie Vargas. Blog # 6 Routman
(2003) Chapter 12: You Only Have So Much Time
I think this is a problem that many teachers face. It often
feels that there is just not enough time in the day to cover everything that
needs to be taught. My lesson planning is a lot different than a homeroom
teacher so I do appreciate that. However, I am involved in afterschool program,
adult education and HOPE class so I often feel like there isn’t enough time to
get everything done. In this chapter Routman gives a lot of great tips on how
to better manage your time in the classroom. In order to make every minute
count Routman suggest that we continually ask ourselves when planning, How is this activity helping my students
become more independent as readers, writers, and thinkers (Routman, p.
205)? And if it is not than we should consider putting it to the side for the
time being.
Something else I thought was interesting in reading this chapter
was the section about fighting for more time for students who struggle. Routman
states that we sometimes send our struggling kids out of the room for skill and
drill and “corrective” programs and that because of this they miss valuable
instruction time that they need most. I have heard many conversations about
this from teachers. However, my understanding is that this is usually not in the
teachers’ control. Some of these services are mandated by the state or the
school leadership. I know there are some students that get pulled out for more
than one service and this makes it hard for the teacher to find the best time
for that student to leave the classroom.
Another helpful tip I learned
is to combine activities and integrate learning whenever possible. I try to do
this during my Spanish classes especially in the upper grades. I try to find
lessons where I can teach a core subject during my time with the students. For
example, with my fourth graders I recently taught a lesson where we learned
about the Spanish explorers and their expeditions to the Spanish-speaking
countries.
This chapter was very helpful on making the most of your time
at school.
Routman's question is such a great one! I often found myself losing the focus of helping students become independent--"ooh, that looks like fun!"--and sometimes I have to take a step back and reflect, even as I've been co-teaching some this spring! You raise a good question about mandates. I've been wondering a lot this year about what is actually required, what we just think we required, and "how" it is required. I think Routman would argue that it is our responsibility as informed, professionally-trained educators to advocate for our students, especially if supposed mandates are interfering with what matters most for growing readers--time to read!!
ReplyDeleteRosie,
ReplyDeleteThis chapter really convicted me about how we use our time in school. We always talk about how we never have enough time and how we wish we could do whatever it is we aren't currently doing. I felt like Routman challenged us to stop complaining and start looking at what we are doing and what we aren't doing and to ask ourselves what really makes a difference in our students' outcomes. This may require more than a schedule change...it may require us to change our practices.