When do you plan?!

I am a first year 4th grade teacher.

I am self contained, so I’m teaching all subjects. My team is helping me by sending me their plans, but I still need to create my own slides, review the lessons, prepare the students’ materials, etc. I only got access to my course materials about 2 days before school actually started and in the first couple of days I was busy setting up the classroom, creating seating charts, going over procedures, etc.

My schedule looks like this: arrive at 6:45 am, students enter the classroom at 7:15 am, instruction begins at 7:30, and my one and only “planning” break away from the students is while they’re at fine arts for 30 minutes. I’m with them for lunch, recess, everything else.

I know I’m going to have to take some work home with me, but I have 3 kids and a husband and a house to take care of, too…am I really going to be working 12+ hours a day every day this year? Is there something I’m missing that could make my life easier?