Continuing to Progress, Even Without the Perfection

When I begin something new and find that I don't live up to my own expectations, I freeze and it takes me quite a bit of time to thaw out - as you can see from the date of my last post. If I feel that I am not able to do something perfectly the first time, I won't even attempt it. But isn't that what we ask our students to do - give it a try, take a risk, learn from mistakes that are made? So here I am moving forward although my teeth are still chattering.

I am three and a half weeks into the school year and feel like it's been months. It has been a great start with a completely new classroom environment and teaching style. The Common Core Standards have been pivotal in this major change. By getting rid of rows and groups of desks and providing tables for work spaces, students are responding in the intended ways - collaboratively thinking and discussing the world around them, asking more and better questions, reading and writing with stamina, etc. 

Letting go of the old that wasn't serving anyone except my old habits has been transforming. I am a more active and involved teacher that knows so much more about the abilities of my students. I will keep letting go and keep moving forward. Even though I know it's not going to be perfect, it's going to definitely be worth it.

Coming Out From Behind the Desk

As I am preparing my classroom for a new school year, I am constantly being mindful of the focus my principal has impressed upon our staff - environment, Environment, ENVIRONMENT! Being moved to a new classroom has really helped in creating a more "student-centered" middle school classroom rather than a "teacher-centered" one.

I started with student workspace - large group meeting area, small group work, and areas for individuals to focus. What I found as I streamlined with my seventh and eighth graders in mind, is that there really isn't room or a place for my desk to be front and center. In the past, that is always where I started - "Where was the best place to put my desk?" - and go from there.

 I have to admit I had two desks from which I worked from: a large one in the back that housed the document camera, laptop, printer, and speakers and a smaller one in the front facing students that I placed my lesson plans and other materials I taught with on.

The problem is I found that I spent too much time sitting behind them and making excuses for doing it. My goal this year is to not sit once while I have students in the room. I know I may not do it perfectly but I am going to give it my best attempt. A tip that was shared with me is... when your legs start to burn from crouching down conferencing with one or a group of students, it's time to move on to the the next one.