Lindsey Layton Blog Post #3: Routman Chapter 12: You Only Have So Much Time

In Chapter 12, Routman’s Reading Essentials, I was able to relate and touch base with every concept of this chapter.  As teachers, we work long days and many of our days are not finished when we leave the “school grounds.”  I completely agree that as educators, we must live interesting lives and not just live for everything surrounding school.  We need to make time for ourselves, enjoy our families, and keep ourselves motivated and healthy.  As I know all educators can, I am able to relate to this in every way.  We are stretched short between work, families, and extracurricular activities our children/ourselves may be in.  However, we find time to get it all done and we move on full speed ahead because that is the only way we know how. 

I consider myself and very organized individual and I believe this has truly helped me to be prepared and not be a procrastinator.  I feel this places less stress on myself and leaves one less thing for me to worry or wonder about if I am prepared well ahead of time.  This also allows me to make every minute with my students count.  Chapter 12, brings a very good question for teachers to ask themselves, “Continually ask yourself when planning work for students, How is this activity helping my students become more independent as readers, writers, and thinkers? if not set it aside.”

While reading chapter 12, I was able to analyze myself as a teacher and my teaching style to see if there is anything I could change up or arrange to make my overall learning environment for my students any better.  I feel it is important for educators to take a step back at times and evaluate ourselves to see what is working and what may need to change.  There are always ways to improve ourselves but we also have to take time for ourselves.  Just like this chapter discussed we have to take time for ourselves in order for us to be the best “we” can be.