The Lesson Plan G.A.M.E. - A=Amount of time

Back in the days before multi-tasking, networking, and texting, general studies report cards included a skill known as, "uses time wisely." Since the amount of time for your class is predetermined by the school schedule, using class time "wisely" is a challenge when creating a lesson plan.
The following suggestions are easy ways to use classroom time more effectively.
_ Divide up the time that you have among the various parts of the lesson. Allow time for
a review of the previous lesson and time to summarize new material taught that day. Write the time that you've allotted right in your lesson plan, so that you can keep track and make adjustments, if necessary, in future plans.

- In the interest of efficient classroom organization, prepare a folder for each student. The folder might contain a spiral notebook, a Jewish calendar, a textbook, a workbook, and any activity sheets needed for the day. On the inside cover of the folder, paste a copy of the blessing for Torah study. If you teach Hebrew, you might also want to paste in a copy of the Hebrew alphabet. Put a pencil at each student's place. If students are seated at tables, place an eraser at each table, or make erasers available. It's amazing how fast those little erasers attached to the pencils get used up.
While the folders take some preparation time at the beginning of the year, they save time in distributing and gathering materials and provide an organizational framework throughout the year. The folders may be cleaned out periodically, but the remain in the classroom.

On the first day of class, the folders with the students' names on the covers can be used to indicate to students their assigned seats. After welcoming the students to class, go over the contents of the folder, with special emphasis on the blessing for Torah Study. Students can recite the blessing together (along with a Shechechianu for the new school year) and class is underway. No time has been taken up in finding seats, or giving out books, activity sheets, etc.
Providing a folder and an assigned seat sends students the message that they have a place in the class, that the teacher is in charge, and that there is a comfortable structure that they can rely on.

- This may sound simplistic, but it can be very helpful to write the student's names on every item that they receive. That way, students can keep their materials together. Items that spill out of folders and homework assignments left behind can be returned to their owners.
No time is taken up asking students to write their names on everything (and some inevitably don't!).
When students are absent, their assignments can be kept in a separate folder so that you can quickly see who needs individual assistance in catching up. (Helping students to catch up is a great task for a classroom assistant or madrich.)

- After the first few classes, have a student quietly take attendance by checking off the names of those present and absent on an attendance sheet.
If you are teaching Hebrew, the attendance process can double as an opportunity to practice phrases such as "Mi po hayom?," "Ani po," etc.

- Take a few minutes before class to write the day's assignments or study topics on the board. This makes it unnecessary to repeat instructions for those who arrive late.
If students are completing an activity while you are working with individuals, those who finish quickly need only be reminded to "Go on to assignment #2 on the list."

No doubt you all have additional timesaving tips. Please share them with us in your comments.