Preparing for the new year…
Filed Under (Work) by Laura Pilker on 06-08-2009
Who am I kidding? I never even stopped “preparing” since school ended! I have spent almost every evening, after the kids go to bed, sitting at my kitchen counter, head buried deep in my laptop, researching new ideas, devouring the entries in my Google Reader, planning lessons (I’m in the process of TOTALLY re-writing my curriculum), and sometimes goofing off on Facebook (all work and no play…).But I’m really starting to get excited. I start back Monday. None of the other teachers will be there, but I will be busy getting their computers ready for them. And hopefully I can start getting some things ready for my classroom too. I want things to be so different this year. I really want to challenge the students and take them beyond powerpoint shows.It’s hard to break my mindset, though! And I’m a techie! How must all my colleagues feel…those that need me to help them figure out how to send email… (I’m laughing WITH you, friends, I love you all!) I’ve been reading a lot lately about transformation and change in education. And I sooooo want to be a part of it. But it is not easy. I know this year is not going to be perfect, but I hope that I can at least begin making steps in the right direction.Some goals for this year:
- Student-Centered lessons. I want to be less of a “Sage on the Stage” and let them own more of their learning.
- Effective, yet flexible, assessment. I envision at least half of the students’ assignments to have some level of personal choice to them. I want to make sure they have mastered the skills, but how they demonstrate that can be flexible.
- Less down-time. In the past, students would whiz through assignments, doing the very least amount of work possible, and then spend the rest of class playing games. No More. Their assignments will be more challenging, require more thought, and if they do finish they will use their time wisely, such as practicing their keyboarding skills.
- More 21st Century Skills. There are so many wonderful free web apps for students to tinker around with! I want them to unleash their creativity for an educational purpose. I want them to work collaboratively towards a goal. I want them to solve problems and create programs and express themselves in ways not previously overused!
- More Global-Mindedness. I have applied for the Flat Classroom project for this year, and I plan to seek out more opportunities to take kids out of their cushy comfort zones and introduce them to the world around them. Discovery Student Adventures, anyone?
So there you have it. I put it down in writing so I will not forget these goals I have set for myself and my students. I can’t wait to begin the journey!









