She's hosting her first linky party; a time for looking ahead to next school year (I'm glad I'm not the only one already making plans!) and taking note of those things we know we'll be doing differently.
When I sat down for some reflection time I had a bazillion "I wish I had..." "I should have..." It would have been better if I had..." "I'll never do that again..." thoughts flooding my mind. It was seriously hard to narrow it down. Here are few of the easier ones that came to mind.
When students turn in a big project I always make sure to assess their neatness and effort. But that is not always the case when they are turning in their daily work. So much is going on each day that sometimes I don't even realize that their work is a train wreck. My goal is to start the year off by making it clear that students will have to redo papers that are messy or hardly legible.
We've had a handful of moments where I've brought my third graders to an open spot on the carpet and have read them a picture book. They absolutely LOVE it. You are never too old to enjoy a great picture book. And it's a great way to tuck in my CAFE reading strategy mini-lessons.
This year the flu hit my family with a vengeance! It took about 2 1/2 weeks for the whole thing to cycle through. I was out for the count for 4 days! I didn't have 4 days worth of sub plans. Ouch!! I had to drag myself to the computer and figure out what the sub would do with my class each day. My sweet partner teacher helped out the best she could and she would call occasionally with questions. I could hardly think clearly enough to give her a good answer. It was an unfortunate situation all around. Watch out flu...you won't catch me off guard next year; although I'd prefer that you not catch me at all!
Of course this list could be insanely long, but I'll leave you with that. Go link up with Kim while your thoughts are fresh in your mind. And as always, if you don't have a blog to link, hit me up in the comments section.
I love how you are thinking ahead to next year already. I just finished my first year of teaching and am already thinking about next year as well! I thought I was the only one out there, but I'm glad I'm not! I'm your newest follower and would love for you to follow me as well!
ReplyDelete-Allison
Adventures in Room 204
Emergency sub plans are a must and are so helpful when you feel so bad you can't make them! This year, my team began using Planbook.com and it made leaving sub plans so much easier.
ReplyDeleteI found you through the linky and I am your newest follower.
Stop by sometime.
:)
Tamera
My Heart Belongs in First
Emergency sub plans...I need to remember to add that to my list! I was out for SEVEN days this year when I got pneumonia for the first time ever, and it was SO hard to put together sub plans for that long! If it wasn't for Teachers Pay Teachers and some fabulous colleagues, I don't know what I would've done.
ReplyDeleteGlad I found your blog through the linky!
Your new follower,
Alison
Eberopolis: Teaching Reading & Writing with Technology