Teach Like a Champion - Every Minute Matters

Summary

This video script emphasizes the importance of utilizing every minute in the classroom effectively. It humorously illustrates how teachers often waste the last few minutes of class and proposes the 'Every Minute Matters' technique. This approach involves using short, high-energy review activities to engage students and maximize instructional time. The script suggests various strategies, such as vocabulary reviews during transitions and mental math while lining up, to keep students on task and learning continuously. The speaker also shares personal experiences, like using entrance tickets for vocabulary quizzes before class starts, to demonstrate practical applications of this time management philosophy.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Every minute in the classroom is crucial and should be used effectively.
• 😅 Teachers often inadvertently waste the last few minutes of class by not starting new activities or giving students time to relax.
• 📉 Losing just 3-4 minutes per class can accumulate to significant instructional time lost over a school year.
• 🔥 Use the 'Every Minute Matters' technique to engage students with high-energy review activities instead of wasting time.
• 💡 Keep a variety of short learning activities ready to take advantage of unexpected spare moments during the school day.
• 🚶‍♂️ Teachable moments can occur anywhere, such as walking to the bathroom or lining up for lunch.
• 📚 Reading aloud to students while they pack up their backpacks can be an effective use of end-of-day time.
• 🧠 Incorporate mental math and vocabulary reviews during transitions to keep students engaged and learning.
• 🎫 Use 'entrance tickets' to quiz students on vocabulary or other subjects while they wait outside the classroom.
• 💡 Maximizing instructional time not only increases cognitive workload for students but also helps teachers stay connected and engaged with their students.
• 🛑 Teachers should view every spare minute as an opportunity for learning, even if it's outside of the traditional classroom setting.

Q & A

What is the main message of the video script?

The main message is that every minute in the classroom is precious and should be utilized effectively to maximize learning opportunities for students.

Why is time in the classroom compared to water in the desert?

Time in the classroom is compared to water in the desert to emphasize its scarcity and value, as both are essential resources that need to be carefully managed and conserved.

What is the 'every minute matters' technique mentioned in the script?

The 'every minute matters' technique refers to the practice of using every available minute in the classroom for teaching and learning, including the last few minutes of class, by engaging students in high-energy review activities.

How does the speaker suggest using the last few minutes of class?

The speaker suggests using the last few minutes of class for high-energy review activities or challenging students with interesting problems instead of giving them away as free time.

What are some examples of short learning activities that can be used to fill small gaps of time?

Examples include vocabulary reviews while walking to the bathroom, reading aloud while students pack up their backpacks, and mental math during lining up for lunch.

How can teachers use the time when students are waiting for buses?

Teachers can use the time when students are waiting for buses by having them think of adjectives to describe the bus, which keeps them engaged and focused.

What is the purpose of 'entrance tickets' in managing classroom minutes?

Entrance tickets are a method for teachers to manage classroom minutes by quizzing students on vocabulary or other topics as they wait outside the classroom before class begins.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of staying connected and engaged with students?

The speaker emphasizes staying connected and engaged with students to ensure that every minute is utilized for learning and to maintain a positive and interactive classroom environment.

How does the 'every minute matters' approach benefit both the teacher and the students?

This approach benefits the teacher by providing a structured way to use all available time effectively and keeps them connected with students. For students, it increases cognitive workload and engagement, leading to better learning outcomes.

What is the speaker's perspective on using break time at the end of class?

The speaker suggests that if there are a few minutes at the end of class, it can be used as a break time for the teacher while still engaging students in meaningful activities.