Goals for 2012-2013

I have done a lot of thinking about my goals for the year since I received the challenge for the week.  I wanted to come up with some goals that were challenging, yet attainable.  I have a tendency to try to do EVERYTHING at once when I learn about something new, and that is never smart! This is what I came up with...

Stop...

• This first one is stolen from Tina.  I need to stop thinking that I MUST follow the textbook in order.  I have to plan out the year in an order that makes sense for the standards I need to cover and the specific needs of my classes.
• I also need to stop focusing on test results as the primary indicator of student learning.  I want to use more performance assessment tools.

Continue...

• I want to continue to find new ideas that will get kids excited about math and lead to better understanding and application of the skills.  This summer, I have discovered a small portion of what is available.  I want to keep learning!
• Last year I started using some projects to cover multiple standards and let kids see how those math "skills" they are learning are really used in life.  I want to continue to find/create more of these to use this year!

Start...

• As I mentioned in my first post, I want to start using interactive notebooks and foldables with my classes this year!  I am REALLY excited about this and can't wait to start!
• I also want to use this blog to reflect on my progress (both good and bad) this year.   I also want to use it to share ideas and to connect with other teachers!

As summer comes to an end (meetings start this coming week), I am looking forward to the new year and new challenges ahead!