Coming down the home stretch...

It definitely feel like we are almost to the end. Just four more weeks left and with MAP Tests, End of Course Exams, and Finals, it almost feels like we are almost done already. I am finding myself getting a lot of ideas for next year and doing a lot of analyzing of what worked and didn't work this year. Here are a couple of my thoughts and the list keeps growing.

Things I plan to keep for next year

1. I loved making READING a priority in my classroom this year and talking to my students about their favorite books and what they are reading.
2. I will definitely do the Red Rubber Ball Journals next year, they were a HUGE success.
3. StrengthsFinder was a lot of fun and will be interested to start that from the beginning of the year instead of January. I am looking forward to my Strengths Night with students and parents later this month.
4. I really enjoyed using the Springboard curriculum and plan to do at least 10 Modules next year.

Things I plan to change for next year

1. Less homework, but more meaningful homework assignments. 1-2 a week.
2. Have 5 BIG experiences for my students. (Guest Speakers/Projects/Movie Clip Day)
3. Incorporate what I learned from Chip and Dan Heath's book "Made to Stick".
4. FOCUS on the value of hard work in my classroom and building in my students what it feels like to do a job well and congratulate them on the small successes they achieve on a daily basis.

It is definitely frustrating towards the end of the year for me because I see more of what I didn't accomplish than what I did but that just gives me more to work at next year.