December 31, 2017. A day of reflection and excitement.
Many of us will be heading back to school within a matter of hours. While I hope that the majority of us spent this break relaxing and recharging, I understand that teachers will continue to work through breaks regardless of what has been suggested to us. As we prepare our lesson plans for next week, I want to remind us to keep that students at the front of those plans. The second semester brings a multitude of tests for our kids, but that doesn't mean that we should let this "cloud" take over our time with them.
I know that it's hard to get back into the swing of things, but here are a few ideas and tips to get those plans started! As I reflect on my time with my students, I have come up with four concepts that will help to make for a smooth transition into the new year.
I think that I would be lying if I said that every part of me is excited to get back to school on Tuesday. While I love my job and my students, I also enjoy little "break luxuries" such as reading all day and being able to go pee whenever I want. Our students are going to feel the same way, only slightly more sleepy.
My advice to you is to greet students, and staff members, with excitement when you get back into the school building. It's no surprise that you have a better day when you are smiling and talking positively than when you spend your day complaining and groaning. Excitement and and positivity breeds more positivity! Even if you have to fake it for awhile until your coffee kicks in, believe me, it will start to spread. When students see that you are excited about learning, they will be excited about what you have to share with them. Remember, they are the reason that you do this job! Enjoy your time with them.
Our students are going to come back to school different than they left us. For some, the holiday break is stressful and they welcome coming back to routine and security. For others, they may have had the chance to travel and are eager to share that with everyone. Regardless of what happened over the break, it is crucial that we enter into the new year with consistency and routine. While it may sound appealing to "ease" into the new semester, it will cause disorder and low expectations. One routine that I swear by is bellwork. Students have bellwork each day, not matter what is going on in the school day. In that past I have given a pop quiz on our classroom routines and procedures, but I will be changing it this semester. Instead of a paper quiz, I have created a Kahoot with many of the same questions. This will not only get students engaged, but it will also allow me to revisit our technology rules and procedures through modeling.
How do we foster an intrinsic or internal motivation in our students? While I can't quite give you the answer to this one, because I don't think anyone has THE answer, I can give you some suggestions. I have found that internal motivation, while difficult to pinpoint, can be encouraged through relationship building. The better you know a student, the better you know how to meet their needs. Each human learns in a different way, and if you can figure out their "way" then you can better understand how to get them to want to learn it. Another key to intrinsic motivation is to have students set goals. I allow students to set both personal and academic goals. If you want this to work it is important that students set goals that are realistic and measurable. While goal setting can be a great back to school activity, it shouldn't be left there. Go back and visit these goals at the end of a two week or five week span to see what progress was made. Another way to get students to have intrinsic motivation is by bringing choice into the classroom. No, I am not saying that students should have to choose everything in their day, but I am saying that choice is powerful. Imagine this: your administration team explains that everyone will be part of a book club for the next semester. This is fine, right? I like to read. I don't really have time to read this book, but I guess I have to. I really hope that it's not on PBLs again.. I just came back from a great PD on this. I would like something more. Then your administrator lets you pick the book that you will be reading. I get to pick the book? That's cool. I have been wanting to read more about family engagement and now I get to do that with some of my colleagues! See? Choice is great. Students feel more connected when they get to chose things like how they show mastery or the order in which the agenda will run that day.
2018 is almost here, and it will be gone before you know it. You only have a few more months with your current students. Make the most out of it!
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