I realize the school year is ending. However, teachers do start thinking about the next school year before it actually arrives. I always tried to analyze where the year could have gone better. What did the students need me to do differently?

At one point, I realized that I wasn’t giving them the predictability that all children desire. My solution was to post the day’s schedule. And I posted a different version each day rather than one set schedule. After all, we had different days and times for art and music class. I wrote my schedule on the front board, for several reasons.

1. It was right in front of them, with the times of places we needed to go.

2. It gave me a place to list the day’s assignments as well, allowing them to delegate (or learn to delegate) their time wisely.

3. I could adjust it if things came up at the last minute, like fundraising assemblies.

4. It modeled correct handwriting.

5. They didn’t need to ask me about the day, and I didn’t need to announce it.

With younger children that aren’t yet reading, the same can be done. Use pictures, along with the words, and they’ll learn what those pictures represent. A picture of people in a circle is circle time. A picture being painted is art class. A computer represents computer lab. You get the idea. Rather than drawing the pictures every day, you could use a pocket chart to list the schedule. Or what about making a chart with velcro?

If you have other ideas, please share.