I have mixed feeling about it. I am a TEACHER (note, the caps!), so I love hanging out in my classroom, passing along some science knowledge when I can. I am excited to meet my new kiddos and begin the routine of the school year. I am dying to convert my paper class schedule to the computer. I want former students to visit, so I can catch up and I love the smell of new school supplies. BUT…..This means I will have to wake up early, which I haven’t done in a while (also known as the entire summer). I will have to sit through three days of meetings, something I dread. I also will need to let go of last year's difficult bunch of students. I must now go to work.
This summer was way too short. I traveled to the Czech Republic, thru Germany, Luxembourg and ended up in Paris. I spent time with my grandfather, teaching him how to use his new computer. I cooked with my step father, using food from the local farm. I went to museums with my mother. I shopped at Kohl’s with my grandmother. Boy, can she spot a bargain! I road tripped/camped in upstate NY/Canada with a friend. It was great to have time to see everybody, but also I had days where I didn’t get dressed, and just read a book.
What will I do differently this year?
This is the question that has been going around the blogosphere. I honestly waited until the night before back to school to even think about it. So clearly, this answer will be well-thought out. First, I will change the theme of my classroom: DNA. Essential Question: What are we made of? I hope that will encapsulate the curriculum of Chemistry and Biology. I envision learning about atoms, reactions, cells and the human body. (In other words, starting small and getting bigger) I hope to decorate my bulletin board like this.
I also plan on naming my sections after the “letters” in DNA.
Second, I will try to use common curriculum (http://www.commoncurriculum.com/) as a planbook. I was able to customize the lesson plans to meet my needs. I want to be much more purposeful in planning out my curriculum. Inquiry, brain breaks, Blooms taxonomy, standards, and essential questions - I want to make sure everything I do, helps my students.
Finally, for the last few years, I have been a horrible advisor. I always started the year strong, but at some point I just let the students hang out in my classroom for the 10 min periods. I was always able to connect with some students, but there were a few that just sat in the back and finished their homework. Last year, the students irritated me to no end, so I gave up (and actually routinely asked the troublemaker boys to leave). This year, I want to roll out a more cohesive program. We become an advisory family in the fall and go from there.
Ok - first post complete - now I need to enjoy my last few moments of freedom.
Good night!
Joanna
