This particular "post" (is that what these are called on a blog? I'm still trying to figure it all out) serves as nothing more than to list my personal goals for the quarter. A quarter which is already three weeks in, and yet feels like it just started. While I love parent teacher conference week (I actually think these need to happen a few times a year), losing that hour with students in the afternoon means that if we are lucky, we get through our reading and math lessons. Or, if it's a day like tomorrow, we have an off site evacuation drill that will last over an hour, and computer and library...which essentially equals not nearly enough learning time for core subjects, if any time at all. So, I'm really just ranting a bit, but I feel like I beat myself up. All. The. Time. Because the truth is, we have so much to learn, and nearly never enough time to learn it at the depth of which I think kids should learn.
The past few weeks, and months really, I've had to cut some corners. And while I hate admitting that, and I loathe actually doing it even more, it has been a necessary evil. So maybe, just maybe, if I write down these goals, then they are more likely to get accomplished because I have prioritized them as being super duper important. As Brain Tracy said in one of my daily quotes that I often share with staff, "People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine."
So, without further ado, here we go:
So there you have it. Truth be told, I could add much, much, much more to this list...but it's already quite lengthy. (Did I mention I tend to beat myself up a bit??) Now the irony of the situation is not lost on me. I started this "post" moaning about lack of time, and yet I've laid 12 pretty hefty goals to my plate...but these things are way to super duper important not to write down and neglect...so maybe, just maybe I can be more consistent with many of them, if not with all.
I will be sure to share this post with the kids tomorrow (although I have already talked to them about my goals), hopefully...if we have enough time. ;) Wish us luck on our first off site evacuation drill. :)
The past few weeks, and months really, I've had to cut some corners. And while I hate admitting that, and I loathe actually doing it even more, it has been a necessary evil. So maybe, just maybe, if I write down these goals, then they are more likely to get accomplished because I have prioritized them as being super duper important. As Brain Tracy said in one of my daily quotes that I often share with staff, "People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine."
So, without further ado, here we go:
- Allow the students more time for collaborative conversations
- Vocabulary Tableaus; more arts integration PERIOD
- Plus/Delta WEEKLY
- Math problem solving and model drawing; at least 2x a week
- Mental math practice DAILY-look for some Counting Circle posts coming soon!
- Consistent use of Class Dojo for feedback and teacher-home communication
- MORE STEAM lessons & units
- MORE meaningful physical activity - Brain Breaks with Go Noodle should help!!
- Get the students using more technology (we get our iPads this week!)
- Upload/Update class website weekly
- Small groups in reading & math consistently, at least 3x a week
- CHOOSE my attitude and actions; focus on the positive and have more patience!
So there you have it. Truth be told, I could add much, much, much more to this list...but it's already quite lengthy. (Did I mention I tend to beat myself up a bit??) Now the irony of the situation is not lost on me. I started this "post" moaning about lack of time, and yet I've laid 12 pretty hefty goals to my plate...but these things are way to super duper important not to write down and neglect...so maybe, just maybe I can be more consistent with many of them, if not with all.
I will be sure to share this post with the kids tomorrow (although I have already talked to them about my goals), hopefully...if we have enough time. ;) Wish us luck on our first off site evacuation drill. :)