Thinking about next year....before this year is out | Mentoring in the Middle

Thinking about next year....before this year is out

Some of you are already finished with school, but I still have two weeks to go.  This week needs to be pretty structured so that we can finish some of the Reading and Science goals that we still need to get to, and still include Field Day and other fun activities.

Kim, over at Joy in 6th Grade is having her first Linky Party, and she has a great question: what do I want to change about next year?

I give my students time to read their own books here and there in class, but if I want them to become better readers, I need to make sure that time is carved out each day.  That way I know that some of my kiddos who struggle to make time to read at home will have had some reading time at school.  In addition to having them keep journals, I also want to conference with a couple of students each day.


I tend to be a "divebomb into the deep-end of the pool" kind of teacher when it comes to trying new things.  And I learn A LOT from doing it the first time.  One of the things I've learned from my students, and from seeing great products on TpT and TN is how much I need to break down directions into simple, explainable, check-it-off-when-you're-done steps.  That's my goal for next year's big projects.

I just learned that I'll be teaching Reading and Writing next year, instead of Reading and Social Studies/Science (each for half a year).  It makes so much more sense, but I have to think about how to infuse daily writing into my day.  I haven't decided yet if I want students to read every day and then journal (about what they've read?  about another topic?) or if I want to have kids reading three days and week and writing two days?  Still need to think that one through.

I've been running since I was in my early 20's - many, many years ago.  I've never been fast, but I love it.  There's something about getting myself out of bed in the morning and getting out into fresh air that changes the way I look at my day.  I've been tracking my running on mapmyrun.com, and today I took a look at each month since last summer.  Started off strong, stayed strong through Christmas, started to run less (it's HARD to get out of bed when it's dark out, no matter how much I know it's good for me) and then even less in the springtime.  I think I'm so worn out by the end of the year that it's even harder for me to get out of bed.  I'd like to stay strong through the springtime next year.

So, those are my goals for next year.  What are yours?  Link up and share!
Marion

5 comments

  1. Found you through Kim's linky. I completely agree with the need to have students writing every day! I'm adding that one to my list!

    I'm your newest follower!

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  2. Step-by-Step directions - I totally agree!!

    Enjoy the rest of your school year!

    Corrina
    From Mrs. Allen’s Teaching Files

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  3. Hi Marion:
    I love that you have a running goal! I think taking care of yourself makes it so much easier to take care of others...
    I always think about those step-by-step directions in the middle of an activity when I am ready to tear my hair out after answering the same question twelve times. I think I'm going to have to add that one to my list.
    Thanks so much for linking up!

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

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    Replies
    1. Oh, isn't that the truth, Kim? And it cracks me up (sometimes) and irritates me (sometimes) when I finish explaining something to a student, and then the kid sitting right next to him/her asks the same question!

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