Getting organized--it's about time!

A goal that I've set for myself this year is to be better organized. With four preps (ELA 11, 21st Century Journalism, Newspaper and Yearbook), and advising two publications (yearbook and newspaper) and supervising our publication website and social media outlets, being organized is absolutely essential. I haven't even mentioned my home life. Keeping track of my two sons' and husband's schedules is crazy. This week's digital tools will be very helpful in meeting appointments and deadlines.

I have used Google calendar for a while, but I hadn't really "learned" how to use it until now. Keeping track of everything in one place will be magical. I may actually be able to give up the three separate calendars I currently use.

One major way I've been trying to stay organized is by using Planbook.com. A friend has been using this program for a year, and she recommended it. She uses it with her iPad and the subscription rate is higher, but it's only $1 a month with my laptop. That definitely works for me!
https://www.planbook.com/welcome.html

So far Planbook.com has been wonderful. It's helping me to stay organized and keep track of handouts, assignments, links, etc. I haven't connected students and parents to it yet. I want to make sure that I really know what I am doing and how it all works before making it public. Maybe next semester I'll be ready for prime time.

Another gem I found this week was MasteryConnect. http://www.masteryconnect.com/home
With this free site (the best kind), I can input my students' names by class and keep track of their progress on common core standards and skills. There is even a way to use assessments that the computer will grade for you! AWESOME! I am still experimenting with this program, but it definitely looks promising. If I ever get some free time, this is where I will be.

Free time? Really? Who am I kidding?