Saturday, January 4, 2014

10 Classroom Resolutions


It's the weekend before we head back to school from our long Winter Break and I'm reflecting on what to change to finish out the year successfully.  I just remembered I didn't do my Guided Reading plans before the break, so I'm gearing up for a day of school work.  I hate the idea of resolutions because what if I don't follow through? Anyway, if I list them out, maybe I can stick with it!

1. Read more books.  I have been collecting children's books for years now and have a ton on every.single.topic.  Somewhere though I lost the time to read them to my students for pleasure.  Just because I love them.  I am going to find time to read more books!
Teacher Holding Books
2. Supplementary Reading - Letting the kids choose their own books.  Right now, it's really easy for me to just switch their books around on Fridays.  I really need to give them a chance to pick their own book so they can determine if the books are too hard, too easy or just right.
Girl Reading
3. Notes Home - When the students get on pink (outstanding), I send a little note.  I have some really cute ones already made even.  I ran out of girl notes and my poor girls haven't gotten a note since.  Note to self - copy more notes!
4. Pictures - I post my centers all the time, but I don't get pictures of my kids using the centers.  How am I helping you guys without those?  I am definitely going to try and get more pictures of centers in action!
Kids Directing Behind Movie Camera
5. Progress Monitoring - Do you Read 3D? If you do, you know how time consuming progress monitoring can be.  I have to make a goal to get my progress monitoring done on the exact day I'm supposed to.  I am going to get a calendar and write down every time I progress monitor someone so I can be sure to progress monitor them again in the correct amount of time.
6. Creating Materials - I seem to have run out of time to create materials.  Between classroom and grad school, there just isn't enough time in a day. (Oh I have a husband and a family too!) I am going to try and squeeze in at least a product a week! :)
Student Using Computer
7. Clean out my flash drive.  I don't know about you, but my flash drive is a HOT MESS.  I save stuff to it and even though I have 09248309458 folders, it still looks crazy.  I am going to sort it out and keep it sorted..really! This will make it easier to find my plans, SMART Board lessons, etc.
8. Brain Breaks - I have a lot of cute brain breaks we use first thing in the morning, but through the world of Pinterest, I need to find some new ones for my kids to use! (Anyone else love Koo Koo Kanga Roo??)
9. New Stuff - We need new nametags, pencils, crayons and glue sticks.  I didn't have time to get that all ready before the break, so it's coming this next week!


10. Love my kids more.  I already love those kids more than I could ever explain, but I need to make sure I tell them and show them.  More hugs and I love yous coming up! :)
Love and Hugs

So that's my top 10 things to work on.  What's in yours? I would love for you to leave a comment and tell me what you're going to work on when you get back! If management, organization and decor are things you want to work on, don't forget about this amazing Educents Deal! It's only $10.99 600+ pages of goodies! If you sign up for a free membership now using this referral link https://www.educents.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/84894 you will get a free $10 to spend and can get it for less than $1.  So what are you waiting for??? Go sign up! (This website is not just for teachers - homeschoolers and parents you can find good stuff here too!)


Enjoy your last few days before the break, friends!

post signature

3 comments:

  1. I would love to create 1 new product a week! It just never EVER happens! They always take more time than I think they will.

    Love your recommendation for brain breaks. My kids need something new as well. We do a lot of Fit with Fred which they love! You can find it on You Tube and it is about five minutes.

    Tara
    The Math Maniac

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a few of the same ones as you - read more to my students, love them more, send home good notes, and organize my thumb drive! I use Reading 3D and, yes, progress monitoring can be so time-consuming. I created a calendar last year to help me stay on track...it really works!!!!

    ReplyDelete