Monthly Advice–September

Give yourself a goal.

What do you hope to accomplish this year? What do you want to learn this year?

We are wrapped up in student learning goals, their presence and the pressure around them, that sometimes we forget to think about our own learning. We forget to sit back and think deeply about our professional development. We also forget to take care of ourselves–personally and professionally.

I know we have observations, but they aren’t daily or weekly–usually.

So, I challenge you to give yourself a goal. Create a weekly or monthly goal for yourself. Create a singular goal for yourself. Do something that enhances your work. Do something that ensures you operate at an optimal level.

Say: This year I will . . .

make sure to complete all my lesson plans by Thursdays, so I can go home right away on Friday 😉
collaborate with another teacher on a reading unit
make sure that my student folders have two items per month
attend one professional development training, of my choosing, that is outside my comfort zone
schedule tests on different days, not just Fridays
park in the last spot to get more steps in
only allow one day a week to work and eat lunch, every other day I will just eat lunch
create a more diverse classroom library

The goal does not have to be lofty, or even completely teaching-centered.

What I desire is a goal that provides you the opportunity to enliven your personal and/or professional experience. Whatever that looks like for you, whatever you decide, I support you. So, go ahead, think of something–and go for it.

Beginning of the Year Checklist

Need a reminder for what to get ready?

Looking for added suggestions on how to be ready for the new year?

Well, here it is:

student files – a designated space, and folders ready with names on them
plenty of pencils, and sharpened
a few pencil sharpeners — one is never enough
an empty bulletin board (ready for students to fill)
new student folders (just have a few on-hand with copies of the items you handed out the first week, and maybe a few diagnostics)
snacks — everyone needs a snack drawer
medicine — have some ibuprofen for those headache days, and whatever you take when you feel that tickle in your throat (Cold-eeze, Emergen-C, etc.)
an extra pair of shoes — just in case the day’s shoe choice is a bust, or you decide to take a walk before/after school
pens — lots of them, preferably in a few colors
emergency folder — that first fire drill comes earlier and earlier each year, have evacuation materials ready
a schedule posted — you’ll be happy that first month for this, trust me
blank cards — to write a few nice notes or a few thank yous whenever inspired
a sub folder — for the last minute and unfortunate sick day (have a student roster and a few master copies of basic items on-hand for anyone to use)

It’s not a complete list, and it’s not a list focused on just you, just the learning, or just the classroom. It’s a list of those odds and ends that come up every year, the things I routinely remember later, or the things I realized I should probably commit to getting ready next time.

Classroom Tip #1

As we begin a brand new year, we need to consider a theme . . . for the classroom. Not in terms of a reading unit or any other learning unit, but a theme for decor.

I can write pages on how to decorate, how to decorate well, and how to decorate with meaning, but let’s first begin with a theme. The theme will drive everything else.

A classroom with a theme can provide a more thoughtful starting point to creating a space that is equal parts vibrancy, routine, familiarity, fun, and organization.

Before we can begin to discuss each of these elements, and those previously mentioned, first decide on a theme.

Suggestions/possibilities/ideas:

Animal (pick one animal, animals from your region, etc.)
Amusement Park
Black & White
Comic books/Superheroes
Desserts
Disney
Gardens
Harry Potter
Museum(s)
Ocean
Pixar
Social Media
Space
Sports
Travel
Zoo

These are just a few ideas–ideas I have in my mind for the future and ideas I have seen in other classrooms. I’m not leaving too much detail or direction now; rather, I want to spark interest and inspiration as classrooms begin to be decorated.

Decide on a theme. Think of its elements. Think of classroom-based translations for your theme. Write it all down, start designing and decorating, and then come back here–I have much more to say 😉

Gallery

Designed a logo and bought some business cards — it’s going to be a big, productive, and wonderful year 🏫✏️📚🍎

Welcome Back!

It’s that time of year again . . .

Time to:

turn your computer back on
look over the schedule
get a glimpse at this year’s roster
meet a new crop of teachers
listen to new guidelines, themes, rules, etc.
rehash familiar guidelines, themes, rules, etc.
open new boxes
open old boxes
create bulletin boards
laminate
fill out beginning of the year forms
create student folders
rev up that copy machine
agree to every technology update
attend trainings
watch training videos

. . . it’s time to get ready for a new school year.

Take it day by day. Take it item by item. We will all, slowly, frantically, maybe a little enthusiastically, or little hesitantly, be ready soon enough.