This is my second year teaching the 5th/6th grade level. This world is still new to me, yet it is a world of which I am excited to be in. Students are exploring, eager, and developing their young minds into greater life-long learners.
So, what can I do to help my students continue their passion to learn? Where can I go to better serve my students? What am I going to do this year to expand the minds of my students?
Goals for 2016-2017:
- Listen to my students more and allow them to have a larger voice in the classroom:
- I often times fall back into the idea that the room I teach in is “my classroom.” It is not my classroom, but “our classroom!” It is a room that my students need to be a part of rather than visitors in. The voice of the student needs to be heard and they need to have a choice in their outcomes.
- Expand flexible seating.
- Students need “their” space to grow and learn. They need a place to feel comfortable and to expand their mind. Providing flexible seating isn’t the easiest thing to do since resources and space are limited. I have been working to add spaces little by little and I hope by the end of the year I have even more places for my students to grow and learn.
- Do some units by using flipped learning.
- Students have much different schedules than I had while in school. They are also in the mindset of completing more hands on projects and expanding their knowledge of material that is discussed in class. Flipped learning is a way students can learn and dive deeper into the content.
- Continue to expand my PLN!
- Last school year I really dove into the world of Twitter and the amazing FREE professional development that it provided me! Last year I was motivated by so many great educators that I have met through Twitter chats that I completed all my requirements for my principal license. This year, I hope to continue to expand my PLN through Twitter and other methods of educational growth! I hope to attend a conference or two (EdCamps and larger ones).
These are just a few of my larger goals. I also have goals of being more available for my students, more compassionate and caring, and a stronger supporter of my fellow teachers as they attempt to take risks.
The 2016-2017 school year is one that I know will be challenging, yet very rewarding. New classes present new obstacles and opportunities. I need to take both the obstacles and the opportunities and run with them! I need to embrace them and grow in the same way I challenge my students to embrace their obstacles and opportunities and grow!
Cottos Corner for Education 