Connection, Food, and Laughter

I have settled on a weekly reflection routine for the moment. At the beginning of the week, I start a note in Notion with the template and then revisit it daily to add and update. Here’s the most recent entry.

Successes/Stories

• Using Spheros for the Forces and Motion Unit captures the students attention.
• Many students have designed projects for the eCybermission contest around improving the environment in some way.
• Even though it’s never-ending, I have a pretty good system going for batching late work.
• I finished an article on the benefits of journaling for students.

Thoughts and Takeaways

• The Frayer model does really help students learn academic vocabulary.
• So many students spend time trying to get around the internet filter. If they spent that time on their schoolwork, they could catch up.
• Trying to incorporate some humor into your school day is good for both teachers and students.
• When things get too busy at school, people lose their connection. Build in times to pause. Teachers are happier when they feel connected.

Recovery and Renewal

• Starting to build a better water drinking habit.
• Managing to be pretty consistent with lunch meals at school, and starting the morning with some protein.
• I’ve been pretty consistent adding to this reflection throughout the week.

Optimize

• "The greatest danger to our future is apathy. We can't all save the world in a dramatic way, but we can each make our small difference, and together those small differences add up. Every single person makes an impact on the planet every single day. The question is: What kind of impact do you want to make?" - Jane Goodall
• When in meetings, I intend to listen and offer solutions and my perspective.
• “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” - Victor Hugo

Next Actions

• Prepare Friday’s newsletter. - Done
• Record this week’s Why Edify Review podcast - Done
• Grade this week’s Newsela assignments. - Done
• Plan a more structured exercise schedule. - Done
• How do I motivate more students to engage with their school work? - I'm still working on this one, starting to research a blog post.
• Bring energy to the last week before Spring Break

Gratitude

• Friends at work
• Daughter’s birthday week - lots of good food and fun
• Modern, clean school
• Nice words from students
• Snow day possibilities - Snow day happened. Much needed.
• More daylight
• Everything my wife does for our family