I wrote earlier about the battle of important versus urgent on your attention. The truly important tasks get brushed aside by the suddenly urgent.
Then, I came across this post on maintaining a daily checklist as a way to make sure to complete important, but easily forgotten tasks. Some examples:
- Have an interaction with someone new
- Write down three things you’re grateful for
- Go on a 20 minute walk
Great reminders for things that are pretty simple to do, and have a significant long-term impact, but just get lost in the chaos of daily life.
A Classroom Daily Checklist
Creating a classroom daily checklist would be an amazing way to establish your class culture for the year. Ask the class: What should we do every day or every week at school? Maybe limit it to three or five, and nothing that takes more than a few moments.
A list might include:
- say hi to someone new at recess
- give up a turn for a friend
- write down a new fact you learned
The list could even extend home, for things students want to do beyond the classroom. Of course, there’s no requirement to always do everything, nor a punishment if you don’t. The list is simply there to remind us of what’s really important.
A List for Teachers
Want to focus on your own important tasks as a teacher? You might have your own daily checklist with items like:
- Speak one-on-one with each of my students.
- Read a chapter from a teaching book on my shelf.
- Take two silent minutes before students enter the room to emotionally prepare.
A simple little checklist can help ensure that those important tasks don’t get overwhelmed by the urgent.