Using Checklists

Many educators have found that there is nothing like a checklist to focus attention on necessary tasks. With the end of the school year approaching, many will find the varied lists made to include closing out their classroom, grading final papers and projects, and calculating grades for that final report card. The Checklist Manifesto is a book on making and using checklists. For those of us that use checklists and know they are a good thing, don't really need convincing from a book; we've been using them for years. Have you helped your students see the value of list making?

To Do lists are extremely popular. I've heard folks say to be sure at least one item is on the list that can immediately be checked off. That way you feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation. It seems to work for me. As with all things these days there are good Apps for helping one stay organized. Remember The Milk: Online to-do list and task management is a favorite of many.

Many schools provide their staff with an end of the year checklist. It is often the final thing submitted to the administration along with room keys before heading out for summer break. Summer should be a chance to replenish the patience level and interest in the subject one is teaching. So here are a few suggestions for your summer checklist:

__Take time to enjoy the special moments of a day

__Treat yourself the gift of time to spend with someone special

__Read a book

__Write, email, or call family and friends you've not touched base with in awhile

__Rent or go see a movie

__Enjoy a day in the sun and at the beach

__Lunch with friends

Resources:
Why Checklists Work – ProfHacker - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right: Atul Gawande: 9780805091748: Amazon.com: Books
Editing Checklist for Self- and Peer Editing - ReadWriteThink
Homework Checklist
Quality Rubrics / Checklists
Essay Writing Checklist
Checklist for Papers and Speeches
Classroom Arrangement Checklist
Every Teacher's Checklist for Struggling Readers