I was going to do a post like this anyway, but then I saw the link-up on Teaching Maddeness:
I also feel like teachers' New Year's Resolutions come in August instead of January. I have a lot I want to change this year (and haven't finished all the books I was supposed to--oops!).
1) I want to use every minute of the day better. I start out doing this really well, and then we don't always keep up with it. I've been finding more songs, movement activities that we can weave into our day. Have more fun!
2) I'm going to implement facets of Conscious Discipline. I don't know if it's the fact that I'm getting older and therefore less patient, or if the kids are just coming in more mischievous-but every year I seem to be getting more and more gray hair from the stress of kids' behavior. This year I will go in armed with some new strategies.
3) I'm going to be better at creating and tracking assessments. This is good teaching and will also be required for our evaluations. I've been reading Understanding By Design, which is all about backwards design and creating more effective assessments based on what you are supposed to be teaching.
4) We're going to do yoga! I already bought some ABC yoga books and a posters. I'm going to incorporate it into my workstations. Just FYI-you will NOT be seeing pictures of me trying to demonstrate those moves-luckily it's hard to embarrass yourself with 5-year olds.
5) I'm going to also try to implement facets of a flipped classroom. If you are not familiar, it's using lessons you have recorded or websites with videos assigned to kids for differentiation.
6) I'm really going to try to communicate with parents better. I always thought I was good at this but had several unhappy ones :( this year. I'm going to use Remind 101 and some other new techniques to try to keep communication at it's best.
That sounds like a lot! I'm actually starting to get anxious about going back in a few weeks. I've enjoyed vacation and it's not that I want more lazy days, it's just I don't feel like I've done enough to prepare yet. Oh well-it will be here before we know it! :)
I feel the same way about not ever fully prepared! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI love how this linky is getting us all to think about how to have a great year in our classrooms...it sounds like your preparation is going to make for a great year!
ReplyDeleteNichole
Craft of Teaching
I like using songs in the classroom. It helps break up the day a bit and gets kids moving.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your resolutions.
Sandy
Ms. Fiorini’s Stadium
Thanks for linking up to the party! I love that your going to use Yoga with your kids! I'm not familiar with the "flipped" classroom, but it sounds really interesting...I'll have to check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Teaching Maddeness
I am going to try this to keep us moving during the day and on time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newmanagement.com/music/alarmclock.html
✰Becca
Simply 2nd Resources
Looks like a good resource, thank you for sharing! :)
DeleteI found you on New (school) Year Resolutions linky we have the same resolution #6! I love to connect with other teachers! I am going to go back and read some of your older post! I am your newest follower, follow me back!
ReplyDeleteLayla
Fancy Free in Fourth
Thanks guys! It helps to write them all down and have them in one place. I think it's something I'll probably refer back to during the year to remind myself what I was supposed to be doing! :)
ReplyDeleteI love Conscious Discipline!!! We did a workshop on it last year and it was wonderful! Good luck with your resolutions and have great school year!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's about time I get over here for a little visit . . . your new site is super cute! Great work, girl! Parent communication is key. If you get them in your back pocket, you can conquer the world . . . hehehehe . . . well, maybe not the world, but you know what I mean! So glad I popped in here today :)
ReplyDeleteKelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
Thank you so much! I know I need to figure out how to win them over this year! :)
DeleteI love the yoga idea! Can't wait to hear what the kids think of it.
ReplyDeleteI just saw the blog post from Mrs. Stanford's class about Remind101 and signed up yesterday! Love it:)
ReplyDeleteI found your blog on the New School Year's Resolution Linky and am your newest follower.
Tammy
The Resourceful Apple
Love your blog! The colors just pop in your heading. Really great.
ReplyDeleteYoga is such a great idea. Will look into it, too. Like the idea of ABC Yoga.
Thanks.
Sara
Thank you! It was really hard to decide because it's such a big change, but I was really happy with the way it came out. I'm excited to do the yoga thing too...we'll see if it helps calm anyone down at all! :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMiss Trayers, I have noticed too that some of the children seem a little unprepared for school. Maybe it's because both parents are working now, and students are sometimes being left alone with older siblings? Well, anyway, I found your blog through the Resolutions linky party, and I just did a post about a new Old Lady Who Swallowed... book. If you'd like to come over and grab a free copy of sequencing cards for it, or see what other goodies you can pick up, I would love it! :)
ReplyDeleteYour newest follower,
Sharon Dudley
http://teachingwithsight.blogspot.com
Great resolutions! We can work on communicating with parents together because that is something I definitely need to work on as well!
ReplyDeleteNew follower! Check my blog out if you get a chance!
Kristin
Teaching In A Nutshell