{"id":67513,"date":"2025-02-27T09:21:21","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T16:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/?p=67513"},"modified":"2025-04-16T09:40:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T15:40:28","slug":"running-with-time-not-against-it-smart-class-time-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/ctl\/blog\/2025\/02\/27\/running-with-time-not-against-it-smart-class-time-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Running With Time, Not Against It: Smart Class Time Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Managing time effectively in the classroom is crucial for maintaining student engagement and ensuring that learning outcomes are met. However, once a class session is underway, time seems to fly by. Here are some tips to help you structure and facilitate your class efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Realistic, Not Optimistic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When planning your lesson, consider how much content you can reasonably cover within the allotted time. Overloading your class can lead to rushed explanations and reduced student understanding. Focus on the Learning Outcomes (LOs) for the session to ensure clarity and focus. Plan how long activities might take, being mindful of pacing to avoid running out of time. To help both you and your students stay on track, consider using timers or timing cues so students can manage their participation effectively. When planning your lesson, allow for flexibility by adding a three-minute buffer to account for unexpected delays or questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The First Five Minutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first five minutes of every class are integral to capturing students\u2019 attention. Planning this time strategically will set a positive tone with a warm welcome and prevent you from losing precious time at the start. Check out this article<\/a> for ideas on how to use the first five minutes effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time for Questions and Follow-Ups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Designate intentional moments throughout the lesson for student inquiries and add them to your lesson plan. To avoid getting too far off topic while still honoring students\u2019 curiosity, you could use a \u201cparking lot<\/a>\u201d method for questions that need to be addressed later or after class. Consider using a minute paper<\/a> (use a Google Doc or Padlet<\/a> for large classes) to gather feedback on students\u2019 understanding of the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Last Five Minutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you allow ample time to wrap up the class and summarize key learning points. Include some foreshadowing by providing a preview of the next session as a primer. The last five minutes might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n