Time-Saving Strategies for Busy Teachers: Prep Time Edition

You drop the students off at the specials, walk back to your classroom, sit down, breathe a sigh of relief, look at the clock and realize it’s already time to pick them up again. 

Where did your prep time go? You had an entire To-Do list you were hoping to accomplish and instead of crossing items off of the list, you’re adding to them. 

Can you relate? 🤪

Using your prep time well is tricky. Here are some top time-saving strategies I have to help you cross many items off that list during your prep time! 

1. Create a Prioritized To-Do List ✅

Although this time-saving strategy sounds simple, it is powerful. 

Use a prioritized to-do list to give your brain a break!! 

Not sure how to get started? Follow these 5 steps: 

1️⃣ As soon as you arrive at school, grab a piece of paper and write down everything you would like to accomplish today. Order doesn’t matter. Write until you cannot think of anything else. 

You could also do this before you leave school for the next day. 

Want a printable to-do list already made for you? These ones are FREE from Carolyn’s Creative Classroom website!

2️⃣ Go back through your list and think realistically about your day. 

Are there things you can do while your students are in the classroom? 

Are there tasks you could pass off to one of your students or teammates? 

What things actually need to get done today? 

3️⃣ Create a new to-do list for your prep time. 

4️⃣ Highlight or star 2-3 items that need to get done today during that time. 

5️⃣ When your plan time comes around, grab your list & get started! 

This way, you are set up and prepared to use every minute of your prep time. Stop spending the first 10-15 minutes brainstorming what needs to happen or getting distracted and only finishing the first half of 5 different tasks. 

2. Schedule Your Days 📆

Sometimes all we need is a little structure. 

Give each day of the week a task. That way, when Tuesday prep time comes around you know the task you are going to accomplish during that time. 

I cannot tell you how much prep time I have spent just trying to figure out what I should be doing! 😂

Whether the task is grading quizzes, meeting with your team, or prepping copies, giving each day a planned outcome is helpful. 

3. Plan Your Route 🛣️

While this time-saving strategy may sound strange, I cannot tell you the number of times I have spent my prep time walking back and forth from my classroom to other places. 

Save yourself some extra time by thinking through everything you want to accomplish while you are “out and about” in the building. 

🌟 Bring your water bottle along to fill it up on your way past the office
🌟 Pop in at the office to check your mailbox or tell your administrator a funny story

🌟 Carry the library book you need to drop off with you 

Sometimes I enjoy spending my prep time going from one place to the next, but most of the time I enjoy a slower pace during this time. 😂

4. Close Your Door 🚪

Sometimes this is the best way to keep yourself focused on the task at hand. 

If you are in need of a quieter atmosphere to give your all to the math tests your students just finished, it might be best to close the door and give the signal to others (and yourself) that you are hard at work. 

No matter what tricks you bring out, there are some days when the prep time just goes by all too quickly. 

Don’t forget to be flexible & provide yourself with lots of grace. 

Some days, the best-spent plan time is in your classroom with the door closed simply enjoying a time to rest. ❤️

Looking for more time-saving tips? 

Check out my blog post filled with ways to help yourself save time while lesson planning. 

This blog post is focused on how you can speed up the time you spend grading!