Planning a Beneficial School Year

Summer has arrived, which brings us with some time for reflection on our previous school year and individualized goals and a renewal. Entering a new classroom can bring pressure to some, however it is important to shed new light, new goals, and positive change in our classrooms. I have written some personal objectives that I want to implement for next . year. You may borrow what influences you or can help you progress throughout the year.

1. Evaluate students, observe them, watch them like a hawk and create a set of goals academically and socially for each student. Ensure that each student has met their individual goals as outlined at the beginning of the school year. Spend time with each student and ensure that these goals will be reached, and perhaps replaced with new goals to prepare them for their next year of school.

2. Motivate each child within the classroom to take responsibility, to be in charge of their day, and to show them that they are special. (Affirmation is important in life, and why not start now, if you haven't already letting the children in your classroom know their impact.)

3. Plan ahead. How often do we make an attempt to plan ahead more readily, to have projects prepared, and to be ready when our students walk in the classroom, only to find that half the time, (or even more) we're still running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to prepare for our day. Spend an extra ten minutes every afternoon, laying out materials, or working on planning for classroom time ahead, so that we can enjoy the process, the students, and the outcome. Okay, so maybe we need more than ten minutes... Just dedicate some time to planning.

4. Engage with students on a regular basis. Evaluate the time that we can spend with them individually, not only during assessments, but throughout the day, providing teachable moments. These are fun, spontaneous adventures that children will never get back. Not only are we giving gifts to students when we can engage with them, but ultimately, we are fulfilling our desires as educators to show children that we can enjoy these outside the box moments.

5. Have fun. I've always believed that if you're not having fun doing what you're doing, then you're doing the wrong thing. You need to have fun and laugh every day. The influence we can provide to the children in our classrooms is pivotal to their success, why not have fun doing it. I hope that you are able to take these tidbits and implement them into your classroom strategy. As educators, I know we all struggle with how much we can teach our students in the time allotted, and I truly believe the more fun we have in the process, the children will also have an enjoyable year.