Quote of the Week

Never say you are "just" a teacher. That's like saying Clark Kent is "just" Superman.

Monday, December 7, 2015

End-Of-Semester "To Do" Lists - By Mary Kay Kelton, Spanish Teacher at Mt. Juliet High School

Congratulations, you’re almost done with your first semester of teaching.  The break is almost here!  We are in the home stretch.  But there is still a lot to be done before the 18th.  Start by making 3 lists:


·         1st List: “What do I HAVE to Do Before the Break”

Write down your deadlines.  Keep this list somewhere very visible like on a desk calendar or beside your monitor.  Check it daily.  Every time you finish something, mark it off.  Don’t be afraid to get things done or turn in stuff early.  Don’t ever assume you will have “plenty of time” to do it later.   Keep everything that you need to turn in in a central location like a folder, box or even a specific drawer in your desk. 

·         2nd list:  “What Didn’t Work This Semester and Why” 

Did you have that awesome lesson plan that just fell flat?  Just because a lesson failed doesn’t mean it’s a bad lesson or idea.  We work with living, breathing individuals who are all different.  What works for one doesn’t work for all.  The same lesson may work
for one class and not another.  Class size can also contribute to this.  What works great for a class of 25 may not for a class of 35.  Don’t be afraid to tweak your plans and try again.  Talk to multiple teachers to see if they have any tips or hints at how to improve or
modify the lesson. 

·         3rd list: “What Do I Need to Get Started for Next Semester” 


Once you’ve finished this term, start planning and prepping for the next.  It’s never too early to start figuring out what materials you need, supplies, assignments, etc.  Go ahead and run off your handouts.  Start setting up your room, making your lesson plans, and updating your website.   When we return from the break, you are only going to have one day before the students return and there will be meetings and deadlines that have to be meet.  Go ahead and do what you can when you can!  

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