Kaleigh Baker, OWLA Editor for Electronic Media
Spanish Teacher, Covington High School

In my previous district, I taught three different classes. Year in and year out, I knew what my preps were and I knew what I was doing. Now, in my new district, I’m teaching four classes. Our school year started about a month ago, and up until recently I felt like I was drowning in papers and plans, and feeling my anxiety skyrocket. I have spent the last couple of weeks nailing down a plan for how to stay organized and use my planning period a little more wisely to make my next day a little bit easier.

One thing I do is keep my routines the same in all my classes. I have an opening slide that is immediately followed by our bellwork for the day. I then have a slide with a bulleted list of what we are doing that day. I also plan only one class at a time. My plan period is 6th period, right after my Spanish 2 class, so I usually start with that class while it is still fresh in my mind and make sure my slides and materials are ready the next day. Then I move on to Spanish 1 because I have three sections of that class. Spanish 3 and Spanish 4 are only one period a day so those are much easier to plan for.

I have folders on my desk for each class period where I keep graded work, notecards for random calling or grouping, and any important notes or paperwork for those students. I also have a folder for each level I teach with the lesson plans/activities for the current unit we are in. I keep a pad of paper nearby where I keep a running to-do list as the day goes by.

I also use Google Slides to link my unit slides, bellwork, and any handouts for the day. I have linked the basic slide here (it will force you to make a copy). I got the idea to use Google Slides many years ago from SrtaSpanish. On Fridays, I like to sit down and bullet-plan the week ahead using this template.

One last thing I do is keep a set of copies of go-to activities (such as Running Dictation, Write/Draw/Pass) at the ready for days when I did not plan as well as I thought. I also keep Gimkit in my back pocket for when I just need a break.
I would love to hear any tips or tricks you have for staying organized when you are overwhelmed with preps! Let me know on Facebook or Instagram!