Resolutions

I've been thinking a lot about resolutions lately, for obvious reasons. I'm a big resolutions person, and actually have had a few success stories (vegetarianism was a New Years resolution, so was fitness back when I weighed over 300 lbs and got under 200).

So, here are mine, at least those that revolve around my teaching:

1. Focus more and more on backwards planning. I think I do a pretty good job on this, but every now and then, I feel myself unfocused. Using the MYP Unit Planner has helped a lot on this last unit, and I expect it to continue to do so in future units.

2. Have more of a balance in my life. Never sacrifice my health for the job. No skipping morning gym trips, especially once baseball season hits.

3. Step back as much as possible and reflect about my practice. Use this blog more and more as a tool of reflection as well as collaboration.

4. Use Jim Burke's English Companion Ning he set up. I've already been involved a little bit, in a couple of discussions and in one escapade of blogging, and I like it.

5. Integrate more and more technology into the classroom. I really want to do this blogging thing, but things keep getting in the way.

6. In terms of coaching, actually do the runs and stretches with the kids. Practice what I preach, in other words.

I think that covers it, for the most part.

Today was the first day back after break. It was a long day, and I was exhausted by the time 5pm hit and I went home, but otherwise I found myself really enjoying myself. I really missed the kids, as I realized in my first period class. I even, rather strangely, got some hugs today. I knocked the good spirits down quickly with the quiz over the reading they were supposed to complete, but it was an open-book quiz so that cheered them up a bit.