I currently have a folding table set up in the middle of my living room. On it are heaps of paper, books, photos, ticket stubs, and projects. By the end of the night those bits and bobs will all find their way into two organized portfolios proving that my children have, indeed, learned their assigned material over the past 12 months.
As we wrap up the school year I can’t help but immediately jump into thinking about the coming year. It is easy to see what worked, what didn’t, what we need to focus on, and how far we have come. It also doesn’t help that the newest catalogs come rolling into my mailbox (or e-mail box) far before we have completed the school year.
When those glossy magazines stare up at me, it is easy to look at new shiny materials and decide that I NEED them. When I compare their fancy color coded lesson-plans with my dog-eared books and overflowing Evernote folders, it looks like an easy decision, right?
Well, it would be, except that shinier isn’t always better. I have a system that is working. We are making progress in all subjects and enjoying them. Immensely. Nothing could be better than that.
So I’m throwing away the catalogs and sticking with what works. I know my students, and I know what they need. Sure we will add in some new shiny books, but I won’t be changing any of the basics.
I guess I’m a no seat-belts, 5 radio-stations, crank operated windows kind of a girl.
I’m also looking at my previous year honestly to figure out what were our hits and misses. It can get so tempting with the plethora of new resources and curricula being pumped out to get something new and shiny to try. But I really want to see what worked and stick with that. But I have to honestly look at what worked and not just want I want to work ….
Great point!