End of the year!

We did it! 

For PLC this week, we discussed how PLC could have been better and what things we did well this year. We all agreed that we could have been more dedicated to fulfilling our challenges each week. We did a good job satisfying our norms and filling our roles. We started and ended on time and respected one another's opinions. We agreed that it was nice to have all elementary teachers, with three of us being lower elementary. This helped our discussion because our classroom situations are similar. We enjoyed reading the book this year because it was beneficial and practical for the ages of our students. It's been a fun year! 

Note: Joyce Graves was absent on our last meeting. 

DPDP Reflections

Setting Goals- A Year in Review

This week we each shared our DPDP goals and our thoughts as we reflect on our year. Kaila shared that her DPDP was about integrating technology in the classroom and having students make their learning practical to their own lives. Angela shared that her DPDP was focused on assessment and how to effectively use her new system of grading. Joyce's DPDP was focused on classroom management in regards to using time effectively and getting routines down in the classroom. Bekah's DPDP was focused on self-assessment of students and monitoring of student progress.

We all shared how we worked on these specific goals. We all agreed that we could have done more to effectively meet our goal. However, we all did work on our chosen area and improved, if even in small ways in our teaching. 

Just like the picture above, setting goals can be something that becomes immersed in the middle of all the other things we have to do. However, we have to remember that as teachers, we are "works in progress". Not one of us could say that we completely met our goal with perfection; however, what counts is that we put in an effort to improve as a professional teacher. We agreed that even if we had met our goals completely, next year would be an entirely new year with new students and a new set of challenges. The great (and some may say worst :)) thing about teachers is that nothing is ever the same. We are consistently forced to grow and try new methods that work with our students. It is truly a lifetime profession! 

Practical Points of Teaching

Practical Points of Teaching

This week we wrapped up our reading and discussed what stood out to us from the book. Here are some takeaways from our discussion:

*Students should know what they are learning and why they learn in school. I shared how in my classroom, a student asked, "Why do we need monkey moolah (aka my classroom reward for good behavior)?". This spurred on an entire discussion on why we learn, why we go to school, and why God made us to learn. It was beneficial for the students to understand the meaning behind education, instead of doing tasks just for the sake of it.

*Remember that students have different perspectives and their perspectives are enhanced through an active role in learning. Allow the student to want to learn! Ask open-ended questions to get them thinking critically about a topic. Encourage good conversation skills in the classroom.

*Help students process information by telling students what they are going to learn about in each lesson. Try not to tack on other ideas when you are trying to focus on one main skill. Make your classroom a safe place so that students who are struggling will feel free to ask questions.

*Get out and do things! Whether that means taking a field trip or doing an activity outside. Change it up so that students get excited about what they are going to learn. 

*Study each child on a case to case basis. Jot down what works for them and what does not work for them. How do they respond to emotions? What's going on at home? What works best in their learning? What makes them joyful? Be intentional about getting to know each student on an individual basis. 

*At the end of the day, it is about loving your students. No matter how hard you try, there will still be days where you make mistakes or a student does not grasp a concept. Remember that teaching is about doing your very best! Your students will most likely not remember how you taught, but rather they will how you loved and supported them.