Time Management Tips For Teaching A Combined Grade Class

Written By Abena Sey

August 1, 2023

You have the immense task of teaching multiple curriculums in your combined grade class this school year.  For the success of this teaching assignment, effectively managing your time is key, and this includes careful planning of your students’ daily schedule, learning activities and transitions in the day.  Once you have a clear understanding of the curriculums and have strategized how you will teach them, the next important step is planning your daily schedule and classroom routines.  Routines encourage efficiency as your students learn and master them over time.  Creatively plan how you will structure your day in order to meet the curriculum standards and differentiate your instruction to meet your students’ needs.  Here are some important considerations for managing your time. 

1 - Utilize a visual schedule and timers to help you and your students keep track of your time on task

2 - Establish procedures and routines for your students to manage transitions in the day

3 - Consider the recommended teaching hours for each subject, and plan accordingly

4 - Look for opportunities where you can teach multiple subjects and concepts through cross-curricular instruction

5 - Strategically place your students in groups where they can best learn with you during small group instruction and without you during independent activities

6 - Plan mini lessons to teach concepts and provide opportunities for your students to practice the skills learned in the lesson

7 - Give your students enough practice learning how to work independently for a sustained period of time so that you can work with minimal interruption during your small group lessons

8 - Provide enough independent tasks and establish procedures for what to do if students need help or when tasks are completed so that students are engaged while working independently

9 - Teach students how to problem-solve before seeking your help so that you can work with your small groups uninterrupted

Managing your time will help you with accountability and organization.  It also provides you and your students structure and routine to help your day flow successfully.  Students thrive on routine, and taking the time to establish and practice daily routines has many benefits to support teaching and learning in a combined grade classroom.