Sorting it out

-

Today was interesting. I set out this morning to get my literacy program in place. I wanted to see how many weeks we have and then divide up what I want to do over the weeks. I figured it would be simpler that way. So I was trying to come up with a way to lay it out so that I could see it easily. Then I came across this:


This allows me to lay out each quarter by week. Pure genius. So changed the headings to match my classes: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, Chemistry, Keyboarding, and Literacy. I then sketched out what I want to do each week with literacy. That actually turned out to be pretty easy. Since I'm going to use the resources from each class, all I needed to do was put down what skills I wanted them to learn that week. Worked out perfect, but I was done quick - much quicker than I thought it would be. So then I thought to tackle AP Chem. I wasn't sure where I was going to go with that. But I ended up getting a pretty good idea of how I want the semester to go. So then I did the same thing with AP Biology. I had initially thought I'd be using one set of resources for AP Bio, but since those resources were created before the test update, they kind of didn't fit too well. Of course, I'm not completely over using them, I just may have to do more work to make them ready. I then did a very basic layout for chemistry. So I started out with one goal in mind and ended up getting 4 done. Nice.

I also made a decision. I'm going to create a binder with my notes for each week. In there I will put the information I will need for that week in each class. I will upload everything to Chalk.com and then every Friday I will print and copy everything for the next week. I will not:

  • Second guess myself
  • Go looking for new resources
  • Change things at the last minute
I will: 
  • use the resources I've collected over the years
  • stick to the plan I have in place
  • check Chalk.com every single day
  • write my plan outline in my planner
I do this all the time. Spend breaks doing some great planning, then never look at it again and spend time running around with my head cut off getting things ready. If I use what I have planned, that frees me up to do grading and other things during my prep. I will still use Fridays to finish grading and prep for the coming week, but I do not want to spend hours on Friday grading. Also, I have 2 TAs. I need to utilize them for grading, organizing, and copying. If I do things right, I can have them make the copies so I don't have to do them on Fridays. Sweet. I also need to use them to help set up labs. That is a huge time suck. If they can help set up and clean up, that would be awesome. 

So, today has been super productive and I'm liking the way things are going. Tomorrow I'm taking off from school work because we are having a little get together here for New Year's and I have to clean house. But Monday I will pick up where I left off and go full steam ahead. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A lot has happened

-
 After my last post, I sat and went through the modeling curriculum and worked out that I was in Unit 6 of modeling. No worries, I just jumped right in. We did a lab, always a good way to start things, and next week we work on naming compounds - that should be fun. Anyway, the point is I feel much more comfortable with the curriculum. I know what I'm doing and I'm able to guide them to the correct answers. We went back to whiteboards at the tables instead of the standing at the whiteboards. We presented and did a power clap and it was good. Classes went much smoother and I was much happier.  It really did wonders for my mental health too. I was not completely exhausted by the end of the day. I had energy when I got home. I actually felt like doing things. It was amazing. So I can conclude that my total exhaustion was most likely due to mental fatigue. Well, I'm sure starting working out again helped a lot.  So things are a whole lot better. I am taking next Monday off and I
Read more

1st day done

-
 Yesterday actually went very, very well. Initially I was worried how they would respond to the whole notebook thing, but they actually did pretty well. And 4th period??? OMG, that class was awesome. Absolutely awesome. A couple of students were moved out of that class and I had a very well thought out seating chart and man it made a huge difference. So that was good.  Now I was another story. I was so tired. Sooooooo tired. My feet hurt, my legs hurt, my back hurt. I was a wreck. Then I came home and had to walk Mavy, ugh!!!! I did get things done though so that was good. But man, I was tired. Slept like a log last night.  The great thing about block schedule is that I get to do all that again today. Yay!!! The problem is that I get better and  better at it, so by the time I get to my last class, which will be the 6th time I've done that, I will be good and we will finish early. So I have to watch that.  Other than that, things are good. 
Read more

And we're back.....

-
 Today we are back to school. It's weird, this is my 13th year teaching and yet I still get the first day jitters. I kept waking last night and thinking about school today, usually things that could go wrong. It's just so funny that after all this time I still get nervous. Someone once said it's because I care and I guess that could be true. I do care about my teaching. It is something that I enjoy and take pride in and so yes, I care about how I do it and ultimately the outcome.  Today will be an easy day for them, and hopefully me. We are doing a sketchnote bootcamp. I want them to take ownership and pride in their notes and so we are going to spend the first day getting back into school and into sketchnoting. It will be good for most, but I know that I am going to get pushback from a few and that's okay, they can take the L when it comes to the notebook.  I'm not looking forward to the return only because it's work. We went to a friend's house yesterday f
Read more