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.