Routman- Chapter 12 August/September Blog (Manderfield)

Blog Post August/September

In Routman’s chapter on “You Only Have So Much Time,” was a refreshing read.  I also feel that the demands of teaching are never-ending.  As a first year teacher, I knew that this year would be stressful and tiring.  I have heard over and over from many teachers, new and old, “Do not stay late” or “You need to go home.”  It is so hard to listen and to go home and rest.  Lesson plans, copies, grading, and paperwork somehow still will continue to grow bigger and bigger until I get to it.  It seems like things can’t slow down or be put on hold when there are things that need to get done by the time the students come in the next morning. 

However, after reading this article, it is explained how much your time away from work is much needed.  One of Routman’s quote really stuck out to me, “I think it’s because we all want to “have a life” but feel overburdened with demanding responsibilities and tasks.  We need to stop feeling guilty if we leave school at a reasonable hour so e have time for our families.” This is something I have come to the realization of this year, until recently I have been able to leave or go to bed when I can’t do anything else.  There is only so much time and energy in a day, and things can in fact wait.  I completely agree with the “live an interesting life” section because we are not only teachers by content, but we are teaching students by being positive role models as well; it is important to show our students a well-rounded person.  I have also realized that the nights I went to bed earlier and watched a TV show instead of grading that last stack of papers, I was in turn in a much better mood the next day! J

            Another important point Routman made from this chapter was not wasting your time or the students’ time.  Endless amounts of worksheets, figuring out numerous centers, and planning activities that do not teach or benefit the students reading or writing, is a waste of both of our times.  Instead of creating multiple centers and activities that do not mean much to our students, we should be creating lessons that are related to students and are time-effective.  Instead of dragging out a writing lesson, hit the points you want to make with a few good examples and be done.  In order to keep the students engaged, creating engaging lessons that are to the point is when the students will be most focused.

            I feel like this chapter was a great choice for me at this point in the year.  It had a lot of good ideas as well as some that were also reassuring.