I'm getting ready to head back to the classroom on Monday as I am sure many of you are. I always try to return from break with fresh ideas and some new items to get the kids excited. There is something special about the fresh start to the new year, mid-school year for me. I start looking at what I want to accomplish the rest of the year and this year I've come up with the few goals that I really want to focus on for myself and my students. So here's what I'll be working on in 2014!
I love teaching reading, and I think is shows. I know how to get my students excited about what we are doing. I love children's literature and can share hundreds of books I've read and know well with them. I can create fun activities and relate difficult concepts at many different levels. I see the growth in my students, and I know what I am doing as a reading teacher is working. Math is a whole different story! I don't HATE math, but I don't LOVE it either. I find it so difficult to break down and differentiate lessons. Concepts continue to get more difficult and yet the master of basic concepts isn't developing for my students.I feel awful about where we are right now, and again my students work is showing it! Not easy to see as a teacher but I have to admit that it! So my first goal is to get better at teaching math. Especially difficult concepts in different ways that may help my students understand the content better. I've ordered a couple books to get me started and I'm looking forward to reading them. The first one is about Mathematical Comprehension
I am excited to make the connection with literacy strategies! I am hoping a connection to ELA will really give me a new perspective. The second book is a short easy read with lots of great ways to make math accessible to all students. I have skimmed through this one and it already looks great!
Goal number two is all about keeping teaching fun and refreshing my love for the profession. January through March is the longest part of the teaching year, and definitely the time when I start feeling a little burned out.
This year I would like to do something to keep myself motivated so here's goal number 2.
I am a special education teacher and most of my students are struggling in more than one area academically. That leads me to goals number 3.
With increased demands to meet all academic standards it has become harder and harder to focus on the individual need of each student. Teaching three grade levels reading and math can be overwhelming. It's easy to get into a routine, following the district instructional calendar and moving on. My goal is to be more intentional about meeting the individual needs of students so that they master concepts rather than just skim the surface and keep moving. I don't have a lot of time in my schedule and students have so much that they have to get done in their general education classes so this is going to take a real collaborative effort. I know it's what's best for them so I am committed to making this goal happen.
What are your professional goals for 2014? Link up below and share them with us!
Thanks for reading,
I also teach special education but I'm responsible for teaching k-5th graders. Currently I only have students in 4 grades. I also came to the realization that the only way I can truely help them is teaching their individual levels; otherwise, they just fall further behind.
ReplyDeleteI also teach special education but I'm responsible for teaching k-5th graders. Currently I only have students in 4 grades. I also came to the realization that the only way I can truely help them is teaching their individual levels; otherwise, they just fall further behind.
ReplyDelete