Refresh, Reflect, Rejuvenate, Revitalize
You think back over the past year.
Teachers in the new year...SCARY!
Personal story alert.... :)
I just finished a phone call with a great friend of mine who is also a teacher. As always, our conversations start with family talk, move into the problems of the world and always…always inch toward education, instruction and the classroom. So, after we got caught up with what is going on in our families and solved the world’s problems (we always solve it!), we moved to education, instruction and the classroom.This time we reminisced about how we must have been spoiled when we started our teaching careers and remained spoiled for our 20+ years because we were always surrounded by teachers who went above and beyond to learn and grow their teaching craft. What special relationships we developed with fellow educators who wanted to learn and grow their teaching craft!
Hopefully, the following suggestions will help you reflect on the new year ahead and organize a fresh start this year for you and your students.
10 Tips to Start the NEW YEAR
Reflection is the key to fresh starts and new beginnings for both you and your students.
1 Refresh The Space
Even if it is the slightest little change. Your students will notice!
Fresh start & new beginnings!
2 Redesign Shared Spaces
OR...
If you do not have a shared area, start one! It can be done.
3 Make A Simple Addition
If I could put in a new focal point, like a lamp, my students would notice it right away.
4 Start reading aloud to your students EVERY DAY!
Kids of all ages love listening to read aloud.
5 Reintroduce Students to the Library
➡️ Introduce or reintroduce your readers to books that you know will interest them.
➡️ Develop a menu of books that will reach all of your readers!
6 Start your students on a reflective journey.
➡️ Help your readers see how much they have progressed since September.
➡️ Help your readers set goals to become those readers this year.
7 Self Reflect and Set Professional Goals
Reflect on the kind of teacher you are now.
💭🤔 Set goals for the kind of teacher you want to become.
💭🤔 Make decisions about your instruction that will benefit not only your students but your professional goals too!
Reflect daily about how your students are working towards achievement and how you are working towards your professional goals.
8 Deep Dive Into Your Instruction
Ask yourself a few questions to get you started...
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Am I offering my students a true highly engaged classroom?
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Am I offering my students opportunities to authentically try out new reading strategies?
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Am I giving my readers true experiences that REAL READERS need?
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Am I allowing time for my readers to talk about books?
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Am I modeling what a proficient reader looks and sounds like?
9 Start Professional Conversations
✅ Engage in professional conversations with the literacy leader in your building or your district.
✅ Hold yourself accountable in reaching your professional goals.
10 Refresh, Revisit & Write Resolutions and Goals
Happy New Year!!
Until next time...