Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Lesson Plans



Yesterday College Girl was read, read, reading. She would hardly stop to answer a question or anything. But she did tell me she'd set a goal on Goodreads to read 100 books this year, and she's at about 50 right now. 

Then, I was looking at my blog, and I saw I had 48 posts this year. So I've made it my goal to have 100 by the end of the year. 

So here goes number 49!

I've been slowly working on lesson plans. Ack, I am so easily distracted. {College Girl told me yesterday that she thought I didn't like the actual thought of going back to school, but I like school once I get there. Personally, I think it's the having to get out of my pajamas and actually be somewhere every day by 8:00. But what do I know?} {Although dress code has been an issue here, and I think they should just tell us we have to wear scrubs. My nurse friends say they are so comfortable. But whatever - and see how easily I get distracted!!!}

Anyway, I'm going to be very brave and show you a little, bitty piece of some of my first week's lesson plans from last year:

{Phew - that wasn't so bad.}
I make pretty detailed plans for the first couple weeks - so I can remember everything that I want to remember!

Anyway, this is a little tip/ what I do. I mark these up pretty good with what worked, what didn't, what I might do differently next year, what we didn't actually get to. {I usually only make these notes for the first couple weeks, and then again for the last couple, when things are all crazy and a little unstructured.}

So as I'm making my plans for this year I can look back at last year's and I see that personally, I didn't like the Bucket Filling book. And that we didn't even get to math facts with dry erase boards; and I didn't get the story read that I wanted to do. And then I have where I wrote "yes." To me, that means that idea worked, so it's worth doing again. 

So this is a little way to make planning a little easier for myself, and to also remember what worked and didn't work previously. 

I have actually gotten the first day done. Well, in reality it's only a half day. But still. I'm on my way! 






8 comments:

  1. That's a great idea Sara! The last several years I have had to turn in lesson plans via email. the format that I was supposed to use was not teacher friendly. A sub wouldn't have a clue what they were supposed to be doing. So a lot of times I didn't even print myself a copy. I started out one year jotting down notes, but who knows where I put them!?! This year, I think I am going back to the old fashioned handwritten lesson plans, that way I can go back and write notes like you did. Thanks for the reminder!!! :D
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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    1. We have to turn our plans into the principal, but she doesn't care what form they are in - so that's really nice. I've always typed mine on a template and printed them. I was wondering if I could be brave and not print them this year. I'm not sure I could do that! But the notes really do help me a lot! I could never remember if I didn't have them. Sara

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  2. My plans in the beginning are really detailed as well, and I write notes about the way things went. Great minds think alike!

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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  3. Great idea to save lesson plans with notes on them. I am going to do that this year.
    Alyce

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    1. Alyce, my 2nd year, I felt lost. I couldn't remember what I'd actually done, what worked, what didn't. This is a lifesaver for me!
      Sara

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  4. I so so wish I could have a half day on the first day of school. They melt by the end of that long day. Anyway, your notes are smart, very smart. Sometimes I think, "I'll remember next year." Yeah right. :)
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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    1. They melt? No, no, I melt! A full day is SO long to start and the half day is great because it gives me a chance to put up supplies they bring, and make any "fixes" like somebody has a nickname they like to be called. You should talk your district into it - lol.
      Sara

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