Part One: Get Clear on What Matters

Introduction

Planning, Organization, and Efficiency Matter Even More for Teachers

What Do You Mean by Together?

Why This Matters to Me

How the Book Is Arranged

How to Use This Book

Chapter 1: Rules Over Tools: Create Your Ideal Week

It Can Get Easier—A Step-by-Step Approach

I'm Not a Dictator, but There Are Some Rules

The Tools

Components of a Great Organization System

Let's Get Started

Part Two: Take the Long View

Chapter 2: No More Missed Deadlines: Make a Comprehensive Calendar

The Multiple-Calendar Dilemma

The Comprehensive Calendar: What Is It?

Together Teachers' Comprehensive Calendars

Pick Your Tool: Where Will You Keep Your Comprehensive Calendar?

The Up-Front Investment: Create Your Comprehensive Calendar

Keep Your Comprehensive Calendar Alive

Why Is This Important, Again?

Get Started: Next Steps

Nilda: A Day in the Life

Chapter 3: Corral the To-Dos: Create an Upcoming To-Do List

Upcoming To-Do List: What Is It?

Using Your Upcoming To-Do List

Together Teachers' Upcoming To-Do Lists

Pick Your Tool: Where Will You Keep Your Upcoming To-Do List?

Get Started Slogging Through the Post-its

Keep It Alive: Enter It Immediately!

Why Is This Important, Again?

Get Started: Next Steps

Chapter 4: Never Forget! Capture Your Thoughts

Setting the Scene

A Closer Look at Thought Catchers

Together Teachers' Thought Catchers

Pick Your Tool: Where Will You Keep Your Thought Catchers?

The Initial Investment: Setting Up Your Thought Catchers

Making Your Thought Catchers Work for You

Why Do We Need Thought Catchers Again?

Get Started: Next Steps

Gilbert: A Day in the Life

Chapter 5: Beware the Notebook Vortex: Take Great Notes at Meetings and Professional Development

Setting the Scene

Beware the Notebook Vortex

The Explanation: What Are Meeting/PD Notes?

Back from the Dead: Doing Something with Our PD Notes

Pick Your Tool: Where Will You Keep Your Notes?

Making the Most of Small-Group Meetings

Get Started: Next Steps

Part Three: Narrow Your View

Chapter 6: A Week's Worth of Readiness: How to Look Ahead

The Tote Bag Calls to You from the Corner of the Room

A Closer Look: What Is a Weekly or Daily Worksheet?

Together Teachers' Weekly Worksheets

Together Teachers' Daily Worksheets: A Different Option

Choose a Product That Works for You

Get Started Customizing: Narrow Your View

Why Do I Need to Narrow My View?

Get Started: Next Steps

Jeff: A Day in the Life

Chapter 7: Automate: Create Routines for Planning

The Power Workout: The Weekly Round-Up

Daily Routines: Making the Most of Openings and Closings

Use Those Preps to Their Fullest

Creating Routines: Why Does This Matter, Again?

Get Started: Next Steps

Chapter 8: Ward off the Demons: Keep Those Organizational Muscles Strong

Keeping Those Organizational Muscles Working: Your Daily Exercise

I'm Routined, I’m Planned, but the Work Still Isn't Getting Done

Five Demons That Haunt Us: Some Common Human Behaviors

Anna: A Day in the Life

Part Four: All That Other Stuff!

Chapter 9: Tame the E-Mail Beast: How to Manage Your In-Box

Setting the Scene

E-Mail Is Not the Enemy, but...

Set Up Your In-Box for Success

Admit You Are Part of the Problem: Create Better E-Mail Habits

Clarity Is King

E-Mail: Use It, Don't Abuse It!

Get Started: Next Steps

Chapter 10: Create Stations: Arrange Your Classroom to Run Like Clockwork

Setting the Scene

An Overview of the Stations

Enter and Exit Carefully: Create Your Classroom Foyer

Stocking Up the Kitchen: Keeping Necessary Ingredients on Hand

Battle of the Books: Classroom Libraries and Textbooks

Tame the Technology: Get Those Cords Under Control

Spic-and-Span Classroom

Why Does This Matter, Again?

Dan: A Day in the Life

Chapter 11: Subdue the Backpack Explosion: Set Expectations for Student Stuff

Setting the Scene

Contain Student Papers

Past and Present Student Work

Pencils and That Other “Stuff”

Why Does This Matter, Again?

Chapter 12: Deal with Your Paper and Stuff: How to Find What You Need in Under Ten Seconds

Setting the Scene

What to Carry When You Are on the Move: Your Together Teacher System and a Teacher Clipboard

Use Your Desk for Something Other Than Storage

Create a Suitcase: Transporting Work Between School and Home

Your Teaching Materials

Finding What You Need When You Need It: Reference Information and File Cabinets

Why Does This Matter, Again?

Part Five: Become a Together Teacher

Conclusion: Becoming a Together Teacher

Dealing with Deluge: Can Your System Survive Under the Pressure?

Get Started: An Month-by-Month Implementation Plan

Why the World Needs Together Teachers

Sue:  A Day in the Life

Recommended Resources for the Together Classroom

Books, Blogs, Applications, and More!

Meet the Together Teachers

Appendixes

Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms

Appendix 2: The Weekly Round-Up: Your Agenda

Appendix 3: Project Plans for Teachers

Appendix 4: Sample School Communication Agreement

Appendix 5: Classroom Efficiency: Quick and Dirty Tips

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Index