New Year--New Goals

New Year's Resolutions...Do you have them?  At home or at school or both?  I think about having them at home, even pinned a few ideas on Pinterest.  But how many people really keep their goals until December 31?  I would bet the average person loses sight of their goals by March 1st.  At school, however, I always have goals.  The only difference is they usually run from August 1st through July 1st.  I get one month to readjust for the new year.  HAHAHA!!

Here's my goals for home this year...and how am I going to do it.

• Increase savings.  My plan--52 Week Savings Plan
• Increase healthy eating habits.  My plan--Healthy Snacks and portion control.
• Increase exercise.  My plan--Workout Plan

My goals for the rest of the school year:

• Increase sight word recognition
• Increase fluency
• Increase number sense
• Increase FUN

Wondering how I am going to do that?  Me too!!  Really, I have a plan.  First I had to revisit some of my readings, such as Todd Whitaker's What Great Teachers Do Differently.  If you have never read this book, the chapter headings say enough.

1. Why Look Great?
2. It's People, Not Programs
3. The Power of Expectations
4. Prevention Versus Revenge
5. High Expectations--for Whom?
6. Who Is the Variable?
7. Ten Days out of Ten
8. The Teacher Is the Filter
9. Don't Need to Repair--Always Do Repair
10. Ability to Ignore
11. Random or Plandom?
12. Base Every Decision of the Best People
13. In Every Situation, Ask Who Is Most Comfortable and Who Is Lease Comfortable
14. What About Those Darn Standardized Tests?
15. Make It Cool to Care
16. Clarifying Your Core

Chapters 2-15 are the 14 Things That Matter Most.  The one I am focusing on the most right now is Chapter 14.  Standardized tests are important, but most important is teaching missing skills.  I am focusing on the real issue of student learning.  I have changed my schedule and created centers and groups.   My focus is literacy.  Starting with sight words and fluency through small group direct instruction, listening centers, and guided sight words centers.  I will keep you posted on how that turns out!  I am giving it 3 solid weeks and reevaluating my plan.  The second chapter I am revisiting is chapter 12.  With all of the changes in our building, it is a great reminder to make decision based on great teaching!!

Just a little reminder of how important planning and thinking is every day, even during breaks.  Yes, relaxation is good, but I relax better when I have everything planned!  Happy New Year!