Thursday, July 5, 2012

4 on the Fourth

Happy fourth of July!! Here in the Chicago area it was excruciatingly warm but I survived. :)

Today I am going to link up with the lovely Ms. M for her 4 on the Fourth linky party!
For this party, we need to talk about four things we are going to try this year - brand new stuff!

This is timely for me because during my ESL grad class yesterday, I got bored and started making a list of all the new stuff I want to implement! It was longer than four things but I will pick my four favoritos. :)

(1) I want to do writer's workshop this year. Last year I was kind of flying by the seat of my pants and doing my best teaching writing, but I know it wasn't as good as it could have been. I just finished No More "I'm Done!" and it was awesome. This combined with Mrs. Meacham's writing workshop lessons is hopefully going to equal happiness in my life next year. :)

(2) I want to expand my calendar routine to incorporate some of the Teacher Tipster's ideas to make it more well-rounded and comprehensive. I also want to move my calendar routine to the afternoon since I teach math at that time!

(3) I want my class to fill out their planners/assignment notebooks first thing in the morning next year. It seems like a little change but I think it will be a big difference in the day. Last year I would have them do it right before dismissal and it was a mess every day. Now I'll know that everyone has the right information and parents will know exactly what's expected of their kiddos!

(4) I want to forego my weekly newsletter to parents. It was a lot of work and stressed me out every Friday! Instead, I already set up a Tumblr page for our class to update parents on spelling words and upcoming events, and I'm going to implement News Notebooks in my class. Hopefully I'll write more about that once the school year starts - if it's going well, that is!

I have a really good feeling that this upcoming year is going to be, like, 8492749832 times better than this past year. My confidence is super high and I feel unstoppable!! :)

8 comments:

  1. I feel that way about the upcoming school year too! All these new ideas have me jazzed!
    Adventures in Room 5

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  2. I so agree with your #2. I've gone back and forth for years on the best time to incorporate calendar. I think the kids get more out of it when it's used to start math time, but I'm so used to it being part of the morning meeting, that I always feel like I'm doing something wrong if I wait until later in the day. I would love to hear about how it works out with your class in the afternoons.

    PS - Your blog is amazing! I can't believe you are a second year teacher. You have definitely found your niche in the world.
    Amy :)

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  3. Those are great goals. I can't wait to hear more about your News Notebooks. Tumblr is new to me. I just email my parents now. Is Tumblr easier? I'll have to check it out.

    Amanda
    The Teaching Thief

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  4. High confidence is ALWAYS a sure sign that the next year will be good. You have so much greatness going on, there is bound to be more next year! Great goals. I can't wait to see what next year brings for you.

    ~Stephanie
    Teaching in Room 6

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  5. Oooh I was thinking of doing a newsletter next year but am interested in knowing more about your News notebook for sure! I too read No More I'm Done, and LOVED it! I have so many great ideas from it and can't wait to try it out. I would love to hear more about what you are going to do too since I am in second grade too! We should keep in touch :) Loved your ideas, thanks!

    Amanda
    Reaching for the TOP!

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  6. I was looking through Mrs. Meacham. AMAZING. Thanks for the link. I am taking notes and making plans. Thanks again.

    Alyce

    Mrs. Bartel’s School Family

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  7. Sounds like you will have a fabulous year. I've been doing Writers workshop for 3 years now about to start the 4th and I like it a lot. It take a about a year to get comfortable with it but then it is great. Incidentally my kids hate it when I tell them "When you think your done, you've only just begun." LOL

    Thanks for linking up.

    Ms. M

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