Thread: 3 Preps in High School - What do you think?

I agree, but I've almost always had three preps (even when I taught off a cart), so I don't think that it's an unreasonable request.

Bitsy, do you feel you spend a large amount of additional time planning for the extra class, or did you get used to it? As of now, I spend maybe an hour at home on stuff, and probably 5 hours on the weekend, not nearly as much as I though I would, and I have a "life." Some teachers parade around crying they have no social life and I wonder if it's a time management issue.

No, I've never gotten used to it -- for the first and second years for courses (sometimes the third year depending on the course).

Now, most of the courses I teach are ones that I've already taught a number of years, so I spend time tweaking instead of the immense planning that I used to do, BUT this year I picked up a new course and it was back to the same old grind. The content was easy, but organizing lessons, deciding on activities, working homework and practice, writing tests are time consuming -- not as much now as when I was new, but it's draining for sure.

Am I being to pessimistic

Maybe- some of my colleagues who have multiple preps like it- they feel it would be boring to do the same thing all day long. I just have one, which suits me- I don't get bored, and don't do the same thing for each class anyway. It is a bit tougher though. You have to prepare more, and think more, and work harder. The cart thing is never helpful. I rove, but I carry all my stuff in a large bag or in a large notebook. A pox on the people who build schools!

I'll likely have three preps next year. Two will be math courses, and the third will be Academic Decathlon. This third one is brand new for me, so that will be my area of greatest focus. This will be my third year with the maths, so I'm getting rather good at it.

One of my colleagues suggested that I request to teach pre-cal next year (just to get my name on the list, since our upper-division teachers are nearing retirement). I'm a little afraid to ask for it, since there is a distinct possibility that I'll get it! I've made a name for myself at the school, and the administration has noticed my efforts and dedication. With that in mind, they very well might grant my request, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it just yet.

I do want to teach the upper division maths in the coming years, but next year, I want to be able to focus on my newest adventure (Academic Decathlon).

I don't think 3 preps will be that bad. Then again, I am a workaholic, and bore easily if I don't have enough to do. Consequently, I take on more than any sane person would even consider.

Do you have a lot of "stuff" that you have to carry from classroom to classroom? We usually carry only our bag and the gradebook for that class. We basically do not overstuff our bag. It may contain one nylon bag with papers to grade, book or two, and some of our personal stuff. We return to teacher's lounge between classes so we can leave some things there and not carry everything around.
Three or four preps are about normal here, so you'll be in a good company :wink:

Sometimes you just do what you have to do. I teach Middle School in a small school. I have seven preps (4 diff. SS classes, 1 each of LA class, Lit class and religion class, plus once a week computer and art classes). I have never had it any different, so I tend to smile and to be envious (OK - I admit it - VERY JEALOUS) of those of you who have "only" three. I do get one planning period a day, but it is at the end of the day which tends to get lost in assemblies and pep rallies.

However, I have been teaching Middle School for 17/18 years this way. Before that I taught elementary, so there would have been just as many preps - just not as intense or time consuming as MS or HS. Like Bitsy said, it gets easier as you teach the same classes every year. I only have one different one this year, so it's not too bad.

I like to think that quality of instruction has not suffered (test scores seem to bear this out). However, I cannot imagine how much more personal time I would have with less than half of my current preps. Believe me - time management is crucial! I have learned to be pretty good at that. But, I could never get my stuff done in one hour a day and five on the weekend.

As I said - you do what you have to do. If it is too much, then I guess I would suggest finding a different school. I am not being "mean" - just realistic. My friends in the public schools all have three preps. I suspect that it is not all that unusual.

So how much time to do you spend outside of school preparing for your classes??

Originally Posted by sambuca

So how much time to do you spend outside of school preparing for your classes??

Depending on the week - 15 to 20 hours on average - sometimes more, seldom less. Sometimes I do not plan well, or it can not be avoided but my long weeks tend to be when several classes have essays or projects due at the same time. I would have far less if I just used the book - read - do a ws - and take a test. Sometimes I wish I could teach that way. Since I strongly believe in writing across the curriculum, we do at least one essay or reflection or report per unit in each of the SS classes at that to the weekly to bi weekly ones in LA, they tend to add up.

Last Wed - Fri I was a t a conference and I was sick with the flu most of this week. Quarter ended Friday. Guess what I am doing this weekend. :cry: