Here i sit

When I don't feel like I have anything to write, that is a red flag for me.  It means I have not been reflecting like i hope to.  Because there is PLENTY to reflect on every day.  

Funny as I sit, things come forth in my mind.  When I am on the go with a busy life and a busy mind, reflection is difficult.  

So, there's my first thought.  Slow down, Jill.  

Visible Learning
Here's the problem with using district assessments to assess whether how I am teaching is working. Teach for 4 weeks, assess, repeat.  And if the test is a bad one....there goes an hour of my students' time they will never get back.

I am still looking for a systematic way to assess in a "bigger" way.  My exit tickets are mini-assessments, but I would like to get more scientific/systematic about collecting data to see if my teaching is effective.  

I am definitely teaching differently this year, (clearer about objectives, interactive slides, daily exit tickets on content and effort) so I should be able to measure if it is working!  Just need to keep making sure the tests are valid.  

Action plan: Revisit Mr. Ryan Higbea @MrRyanHigbea spreadsheet and be more intentional about pretests.  I think I fear pre-tests because they take up instructional time.  But if I let the kids "opt out" of questions they have no idea about, it will go faster.  

Moving
My reading workshop has been going smoothly, but I feel uncomfortable about how much my students sit for those 90 minutes.  Plus, I have a whole group lesson, then students read to self and do vocabulary work while I confer with students.  I need to integrate more time for discussion and partner work.  

Action Plan:
Use collaborative structures during the lesson.  
Wagon Wheel
Mill to Music
Scoot
Ask myself every morning: How will the students be moving today?  When will my students have discussions today?  

​I am committed to walking forward and not panicking.  Just doing what I can when I can.  That clears up a lot of space in my mind and heart.
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Two action plans.  That'll do for now.  And the big third plan: slow down.  I just had to sit for a minute.