Instruction & Learning:
* Planning lessons: This includes choosing appropriate activities, gathering materials, and adapting lessons to meet the diverse needs of their students. This often happens before and after school, as well as during prep periods.
* Teaching lessons: This involves delivering content across various subjects (reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art, music, PE - depending on the school's structure). They employ different teaching methods like direct instruction, group work, independent work, and project-based learning.
* Assessing student learning: This is ongoing, using formative assessments (like quizzes, observations, and classwork) to monitor understanding and summative assessments (like tests and projects) to evaluate learning at the end of a unit.
* Differentiation: Adapting instruction and materials to meet the needs of students at different learning levels, including students with IEPs or 504 plans.
* Reading aloud: A significant portion of the day is often dedicated to reading aloud to students to foster a love of reading and improve literacy skills.
Classroom Management & Organization:
* Classroom management: Creating a positive and productive learning environment, establishing routines and procedures, and addressing student behavior issues. This is a constant, ongoing process.
* Organizing materials and the classroom: Maintaining an organized space where students can easily access materials and work efficiently.
* Communicating with parents/guardians: Keeping parents informed about their child's progress, upcoming events, and any concerns. This can involve phone calls, emails, newsletters, and parent-teacher conferences.
Other Responsibilities:
* Record-keeping: Maintaining accurate records of student progress, attendance, and grades. This often involves using various software and online platforms.
* Professional development: Participating in workshops, training sessions, and other professional development activities to improve their teaching skills.
* Collaboration with colleagues: Working with other teachers to share ideas, plan activities, and support each other.
* Extracurricular activities: Many teachers supervise clubs, field trips, or other extracurricular activities.
* Lunch and recess supervision: Overseeing students during lunch and recess breaks.
It's important to note that the specific tasks and time spent on each activity vary greatly depending on the grade level, school, district, and individual teacher's style and preferences. The work often extends beyond the school day, with teachers spending significant time preparing lessons and grading assignments at home.