This is my first year as a 6th grade language arts teacher, and I know I have much to learn as I make way into the middle school environment. When I read that Teach Thought was hosting a blogging challenge for teachers who want to reflect, I immediately accepted the challenge. Because reflection is such an important part of teaching, and since I was teaching a new grade level, I thought this challenge would be perfect for me. Find more information here on how you can join other teachers for September Refections.
September 1 - Write your goals for the school year.
As teachers, we write goals for our students, our schools and ourselves. This is vital for a reflective teacher. For many teachers, writing and achieving goals is part of their evaluation. Because of this, many people think that goals need to be measurable. I don't think that is always the case. I have several goals which are practices I want to start or changes I want to make. These are not necessarily measurable, but are goals nonetheless.
* Create a global classroom - Through the use of Twitter, Skype, and Kidblog, I hope to increase our classroom presence globally. Please check us out at @ExplorersCMS.
* Collaboration through the use of Google docs - This summer I participated in a book study using Google docs with teachers across the United States. This was such a great learning experience for me, and now I want to bring this form of professional development and learning to my colleagues. I also want to use Google docs as a collaboration tool for my students with their writing.
* Finding their voices - The majority of writing for our students is prompt writing, or practice for the standardized writing assessment. I want my students to find their voices through many different types of writing and understand how to use that voice to make a difference in their world.
Being in a new grade level and a new school, I know I will have many learning experiences that will impact my goals. I am sure these goals may change and evolve as we go, but for now, I have a vision and that is important for me.
Reflecting every day in September will give you a great picture of who and where you are as a teacher and where you are heading. it's going to be interesting to reflect again in spring. I like how you plan to expand your classroom walls. Best of all I like the idea of helping the students to find their voices.
ReplyDeleteGood for you - coming up with goals and already reflecting on them! I really enjoyed our PD group this summer! I know you are going to have a great year!
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