I could start off with excuses for why I haven't blogged in more than a month, but all I'll say is that, until this school year is over and I am relaxing poolside, I will most probably be a "once-in-awhile" blogger. It's just been one of those years, folks!
Anyway, because it's been
kind of a rough year, I find myself looking ahead to next year. I like to have a focus for the summer to guide my professional learning. For the past couple of summers I have worked hard to get math workshop and guided math up and running in my classroom, and I have to say I am really happy with the way it is working in my room right now.
Reflecting on my teaching so far this year, I realize that for whatever reason, Daily 5 hasn't worked as well for me as it has in the past. So this summer I want to read the revised version of the book and explore some variations of the format. It is definitely time to spruce up some of the reading materials and supplies I use as well! I did buy this really great caddy to organize some of my small group supplies:
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| I bought this at my husband's favorite store- Harbor Freight! He was thrilled when I said I wanted to go with him on his last visit! |
The other subject area I want to focus on is science. I feel like science gets overlooked sometimes in my classroom. Scheduling usually puts science instruction time at the end of the day, and I will confess there are many days when I use that time to catch up on language arts or math work. We read a lot of science related books or watch videos, but I need to give my kids more time to explore and "do" science. Science classes were never my favorites in school, and I've always said I just don't like science. But thinking back to my childhood days, I realize that wasn't always true. I loved going on hikes and exploring the woods near my home. I had a rock collection. On our annual trip to the shore (the beach to most of you!) I gathered seashells. I pressed leaves and flowers and made scrapbooks identifying them. It wasn't until science turned into reading chapters in textbooks and memorizing facts and formulas that I lost interest. I just finished reading this wonderful book,
A Place for Wonder by Georgia Heard, and I am super excited to start letting my kids do what they do best, wonder and discover! (And with perfect timing, my school will be setting up a primary science lab for next year!)
Oh yeah, as I say EVERY summer, I'm going to work on being super-organized next yearl! I probably just need to face the fact that I am never going to be one of those teachers who has everything laid out for the week in wonderfully color-coordinated folders and tubs. But a girl can dream, can't she?
