Summer Break

My goal this past year was to be a more reflective educator. One tool was to be this blog. I didn't do so well. Maybe this school year will be better. Things just get so crazy when school is in session. So now I have time to think and reflect so who knows what I'll get posted over the summer. I know that I'm extremely proud of the class my mom and I dubbed "the class that won't do anything." At the beginning of the year I would ask a question and all you could hear in the classroom were crickets chirping outside and birds singing...but no answers. This continued until almost November. I was very worried about this class. They really started to take off with our History's Heroes presentation and then there was no shutting them up. The two things I'm most proud of is that this little, silent class lead the school in accelerated reader points ALL year and they did it on or above grade level with all children reading chapter books throughout the year, even SPED children. The next would be that 88% of my students passed all of the portions of the CRCT tests except Social Studies. None of my children are being retained though my remaining SPED students will go to summer school before going on to 4th grade next year. Even those children made a lot of growth this year.

As for my next class, I've already begun praying about who God is entrusting to me this next year and what great things we will achieve together.

3 Days and Counting

Teachers report back to school in 3 days. I have worked on the physical part of the room off and on all summer on the weekdays I was in town. Now, however, I'm beginning that obsession I have to organize thoughts and plans. It's very hard to relax because I am continually thinking about the school year:

Who are my students? I've already looked up their pictures in the yearbook.
How many students will I have?
Where do I need to seat each student?
Do they work well in groups?
What are the differences of inclusion/push-in?
Will I have "push-in" support on Day 1 or will I be on my own for 3 weeks while SPED gets started?
Will I have planning time with the teachers that will be "pushing-in" to my room?
Are there any good resources to read for this "push-in" model?
What will my class schedule look like?
What will I have the students & parents do during meet and greet?
What will we do on the first 2 days of school?
What changes have been made in the curriculum?
How will I ever squeeze all the curriculum in?

I think the list can go on and on, but these have been the most pressing. I am forcing myself to stay away from my classroom even though I know the doors are unlocked from 6:30 - 4:30 right now. I'm also trying to relax at the pool, read a book, spend time with my family, etc. Once school gets rolling, I have a hard time finding free time during the first month.

Can I be more balanced this year with my personal and professional obligation? How well will I keep up with my reflections? Will these reflections help me become a better educator?

Stay tuned for answers to all these questions and more!