Thought+Tracking

=Thought Tracking =

Thoughts I have written throughout the semester (a little personal index card exercise):

1. What are students learning? Am I pushing them enough? Am I meeting their needs as students?

2. I need to make it very clear to myself what I want my students to learn and where in that spectrum of learning I expect each of my students to be. I need to spend more time with backwards design to achieve this objective. In essence, I need to spend time creating EFFECTIVE lessons and run them by veteran teachers.

3. With calendars, I am no longer in control. My students are now assuming more control and ownership of the classroom because I am providing an exact timeline of events. Due dates and expectations are now much more concrete for everyone---and there are no excuses about “not knowing” when something is due!

4. Keeping track of homework during class time saves me a ton of after school work. I can spend the extra time focusing on making my lessons stronger and planning ahead.

5. I am surprised to learn that my tone, ability to elicit response, and one-on-one connection skills are strengths I possess. I was pleasantly surprised when my supervisor pointed out that I had excellent tone.