January is met with a different perspective from a teacher viewpoint. While it is a NEW YEAR for everyone else, it marks the halfway point in our school year. It's a time to reflect back on how much your class has grown, ponder what they still need to learn, and map out the rest of the year. In the spirit of New Year's Resolutions I've compiled some Mid Year's Resolutions for teachers.
1. Reteach classroom behavior expectations after break. Think of how undisciplined you become over break (stay up late, sleep in, cut loose, etc.), kids are the same way. Just like it takes us time to get back in our routine as adults, it takes time for the children too. Spend time when you get back going over all the routines and expectations and it will pay off.
2. Model, model, model. Give the students a chance to model read to self, writing workshop, math games, etc. for their classmates. Involve them more in behavior and academic expectations. Positive reinforcement works wonders, let the kids shine.
3. Offer choice to your class. If you have been having a hard time letting go (are there any teachers out there who don't have some control freak issues?) try to offer choice in at least one area. Gradual release of responsibility is important as we are trying to grow independent thinkers. Start offering some learning choices. Your class will not get out of control and the kids will still learn!
4. Rethink "warm-up activities" or "after you finish work". Are your students really learning something from such activities? Are they learning it with any permanence? Or is this just a means of keeping them busy while you accomplish other things? Think about having them read during transitions/downtime. (They could even choose what to read-see #3.) You could add 20-30 minutes of additional reading to each day by simply eliminating the busy work.
5. Un-fluff your lesson plans. Time is a huge constraint in teaching. How do we fit it all in? Really examine your lesson plans and see if there are activities in there that are not relevant. Occasionally we go overboard trying to make learning "fun" for the students with all sorts of fanfare, special projects, lengthy thematic units, and special days. This just stresses us out as teachers too. Think about what your students really need to be successful learners and competent students and trim the fluff.
6. Go deep, not wide. We hear this a lot with the CCSS! Look at your math program, reading series, etc. next to the CC standards and pick out what is most important. Better yet work as a grade level team to decide where the focus needs to be. Pull in all that data that you have gathered, that oftentimes gathers dust, and really did into what your class needs. If they have mastered a skill-move on! You can't teach it all so figure out what are the non-negotiables.
7. Reflect on how the year has gone so far. Think about the growth of your class. Examine your benchmark data. Look into yourself to dissect what has gone well and what has gone wrong. You are only half-way through the year. Things can change! You steer the boat!
8. Visit another classroom. Check out the grade above or below you. It's easy to get in a bubble but seeing another teacher at work is one of the most valuable forms of professional development.
9. Read a professional book, article, or blog. After a teacher has been teaching awhile it is easy to get in a rut. Reading something professionally reminds us what it's like to be a learner. We are so busy directing the learning that it is sometimes hard for us to sit back and take in something new, let alone apply it. Yet we expect our students to do that everyday! Ask around for a professional book recommendation. There are so many wonderful readable resources out there (not the 600+ page education pedagogy tomes you lugged around in college). It may spark in you the need for a change or it could be the affirmation you needed that you are on the right course. If you are commitment phobic pick up an educational journal or follow an educational blogger. Prefer an even more rapid form of professional development? Get on Twitter where there are thousands and thousands of educators tweeting professional wisdom every second!
10. Pick one thing you want to change for next year! As you are reflecting on the year so far, think about what you would do different next year. To make effective changes a solid plan needs to be in place. This takes time. We often get inspiration over the summer when we are feeling refreshed. But when the beginning of the school year gets overwhelming our best intentions fall apart. Think about what you will do differently in September now, map it out, test out snippets, lay groundwork. It's easier to troubleshoot new programs, routines, and curriculum changes when you have a real class in front of you. Come summer you can dive in full force and create your plan. Get your grunt work done before September and your implementation will go smoother (stress levels will be lower too).
Mid-winter break will be here before you know it!
