We're moving lesson by lesson through the curriculum. We have the materials we need and we've planned a number of special events to compliment the traditional learning events, events that include hands-on explorations, paper-pencil practice, explicit lessons, investigations, reading, research, and more. There's a fair amount of day-to-day set-up, review, and leadership required for this daily work.
Then there's the big picture, the direction we are moving the program forward in ways that matter. What will we do? How will we improve the teaching/learning program in the months and years to come?
I like to consider both the day-to-day and the big picture regularly as I navigate the teaching/learning path. I find that this is a productive way to follow my dad's sage advice, a little for today and a little for tomorrow.
The big picture involves the following:
Math
I continue to look for ways to include more performance assessments and project/problem-based learning in the math program. The challenge continues to be that we have so many details to teach that it leaves little time for the greater, less detailed explorations. I've found some time for this and have planned one upcoming exploration that I believe will be a positive, profitable challenge for students. I hope to include more of these in the days to come and will continue to think about how I might revise the math program to include this worthy learning.
Science
We're on our way with these explorations. The challenge here is finding more time to teach the science well. Hopefully we'll be able to work with this issue with greater effect by revising our teaching routine next year.
SEL
I believe that the best way to embed good SEL into the curriculum is to embed this learning mainly in the subject area study and work as well as hosting regular class meetings. This will involve finding ways to embed SEL into daily teaching in ways that matter. We do this now, but can do it more in time.
Positive Relationships
Every year I find that the students who do best are the students who I have the best relationships with. Making the time to build positive student-teacher relationships is imperative when it comes to good teaching. I can continue to work at this on my own and with the team. Beginning the year with great learning events including field studies has been a positive way to jump start those good relationships. Creating a warm learning environment and positive schedule also supports those relationships. Extra help sessions help too. Additionally positive relationships with colleagues, administrators, family members, and community members is essentially integral to teaching well.
New Programming, Materials, and Ideas
Fortunately we have ways to foster new programming, materials, and ideas via grants and research. This is a good time to identify those new ideas in order to write grants to obtain needed experts, materials, and time to forward new learning.
Program Assessment
Taking a deep look at the program helps to move us forward too. Essential questions such as are the students happy, do they perform well with regard to expected standards/learning, and are they demonstrating positive social-emotional learning too provide a good starting point for program assessment. What other questions and methods might help us to assess the program better?
I will be thinking about the topics above as I read Timeless Learning during the vacation. I know that the wisdom in that book will help to lead me forward with regard to the big picture think I want to embark on over the winter break.
