how much time do you spend at home on school stuff?

Helen - posted on 09/12/2009

I teach year 3 primary in the uk (7-8 year olds) i have 30 in a class and teach all subjects including french (no training given) we have 2 hours a week prep time but this is also used for meetings etc. On average i will spend 2-3 hours a day working at home and at least half a day at the weekends. We get 6 weeks summer break and i worked for 5 days solid at the beginning of the holidays. It is very difficult to get it all done and at the moment i take advantage of nap times to do as much as possible. I get to spend very little time with my son and have forgotten what "me time "is altogether. I wouldn't want any other job though!!!

Samantha - posted on 09/12/2009

I have miraculously found a way to keep my work at home. Except for the first time this year, i'm not only doing a pre-k class but afterwards I am taking a kindergarten class as well. So yea, i have been doing more at home. But i only allow my work to be done at home once a week and get the rest done at school, somehow. I found a balance and you will too. When you love your job it is difficult. Have set goals on what you want or absolutely need to have accomplished and stick to it. :)

Marie - posted on 09/12/2009

I used to spend most of my time grading and doing lesson plans too but I gave birth to my daughter and EVERYTHING changed!!!! So I had to get a little more organized!! But teachers in France only work 18 hours a week, so I have all the time needed to grade and prepare my lessons at school so that I hardly ever bring work at home now, except a few things ! I'm impressed , ladies it seems that you're not as lucky as French teachers when it comes to preps!!! Good luck and you know, we have the best job ever!!!!

Linda - posted on 09/11/2009

Missy,
I understand where you are! I taught 111th grade English on the block schedule (85 minutes a period). Yes, the paper work is daughting! Please don't feel that you have to grade every single thing! Grade some things aloud in class. How? Teach the kids what a "A" paper looks like, "B" paper, "C" paper, etc. Give the kids some examples and have them score the essays so that they have a feel for what they are looking for. In other words, have them do some grading and then explain why this paper is really a "C" paper. (Yes, the students will make mistakes, but this will help them write better papers too.) After students have a good idea of what is a good vs bad paper, let them grade each other's paper in a peer situation. Then they can do a rewrite. Maybe do several essays with peers and rewrites, then ask students to turn in the essay they think is the best for you to grade. This way students learn writing, yet you are not bogged down grading essays all the time. Also, when teaching the different parts, go around the room while students are working and check mark that area and give them a grade for it on the spot. These grades can be little grades vs the big final grade for a finished product after several rewrites. It isn't always easy to balance out home life with school work. I know I spent lots of time in the evening with my family, but at 9 o'clock would put the kids to bed and begin grading papers. I generally didn't go to bed until 11 or 12 and got up at 6. It isn't always easy to learn that happy balance between home and work. Just remember to save some time for YOU! Hope this helps.

Melissa - posted on 09/11/2009

I teach fourth grade, so since I teach many subject daily with only 35 minutes of prep, I've learned many tricks to get the work done. I just had my twin boys last year, and I made a promise to them and myself that work will stay at work. I only have 4-5 hours with them each day, and I don't want to spend it planning or grading or thinking about the work I need to do. I learned to use my time very efficiently. I truly feel that my babies have made me a better teacher.



Good luck to you in finding the balance! I know it's a difficult thing to do!