Time to Think and Analyze

I went to bed weary at a very early time last night and woke up in the wee hours of the morning with a head full of ideas. That's the way my brain works--I take in a lot over time, and then as if I'm carrying a 100 pound bag, I get very weary. Yet, during my evening sleep, the ideas sort and organize, and then I wake up with a lot more clarity. It's taken me a long time to understand my brain, and I know that the more we understand how our brains work, the better we are able to manage our ideas, creativity, and overall lives.

For the past three months, I've essentially been on go as I transitioned to virtual teaching and learning. There have been many, many lessons along the way, but with steady support from all members of the learning team including students, family members, colleagues, administrators, and community members, we made a successful catapult into this new academic world.

Today marks my first day without a day full of online meetings and classes. I made some time for myself and my colleagues to plan for the days ahead and analyze what has happened so far and what will happen in the days and year ahead. This is welcome and needed time.

While I take this time to think, plan, respond, and clean up my classroom in the next couple of days, students will be busy finalizing and enjoying their awesome STEAM projects and participating in the school's DREAM Day--a day to "DRop Everything And Move!"

So, after answering three pages of emails, updating the STEAM slideshow with student videos, updating the fifth grade learning menu, and reflecting on a large number of recent school community events and decisions, I'm ready to move ahead with the following efforts for this year and next:

1. Plan upcoming days and focus with colleagues
2. Attend student math club meetings and coach
3. Create the Clap-Out Video
4. Respond to student STEAM slides
5. Edit students' news articles
6. Complete student report cards
7. Create virtual Nature Field Trip and related student activities
8. Participate in a number of teacher meetings about this year and next
9. Plan Move-Up day presentation with colleagues
10. Participate in Move-Up Day Activities
11. Lead White Fragility Book Group
12. Review notes about next year's priorities, do some summer prep work
13. Prioritize Tech Tools
14. Update website
15. Meet with colleagues to plan for next year's program

It's good to have a plan. Onward. 

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