Sure, we all have a HUGE end-of-the-year TO DO list, but let’s step back for a moment and make a different list: a DID List. This is a list of all the things you DID, you accomplished, you made work.
Last week my principal made a list like this including all the things in the school she could think of that were worthy of praise. It was meant as a document to share the “good things” that happen in our school with the school committee. It became an annotated list nine pages long. She shared it with us as well.
Part of reflecting on the year that is nearly done is looking back on the things we have accomplished. For me it ranges from remembering an activity that worked well to finally putting a science binder together so that all the materials are at my fingertips for next year. It’s the little things as well as larger accomplishments that should make a DID list.
Here are some more things on my DID LIST:
- Did a paperless day
- Did a studio day
- Did more with our immigration unit (and it was effective learning too!)
- Did provide more time for math games for my students and weaved them in more effectively into our math lessons
- Did take more pictures of my kids working in school
- Did file papers more readily
- Did meet with students more to conference on their writing
- Did organize an assembly in Sept. to celebrate the penning of our Star Spangled Banner
- Did keep better track of my guided reading groups
You know, looking at this list does help me to see some of the good things that happened in my small open-concept room this year.
It’s also making me thing of the things I want to improve upon (or remember) for next year. But that’s another post…
For now, I would love to hear from you! What is something from your DID list?
Elizabeth,
I’d love to read a sample of the “praise list” written by your principal and shared with the teachers and the school committee. Sounds like she radiates lots of positive energy!
Thanks,
Richard
Richard, I would love to show you some things on the school’s list!
Family Math Night
New Website
Honoring Our Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
Relay for Life and Jr. Relay for Life
Jump Start Assembly
PTA Principal’s Coffees
Firefighters Presentations
Backyard Science
Readers are Leaders
Cashman Olympics
ETC! (yes there were more!)
Here is the link to the document she wrote!
Here is a list of things that we accomplished this year:
Created video to welcome students to class
Developed wiki for Resource class
Created school-based wiki and blog
Created independent wiki and blog
Learned and used Glogster in class
Chaired Brain-Based PLC at school
Chaired PTSA Reflections program
Completed three classes at Math/Science Center
Used FLIP camera in class t record student interviews
Taught “paperless” on Earth Day
* one more MAJOR accomplishment that I can’t share yet
Tom, That is a great list. Some very cool stuff! BUT I’m curious about the MAJOR accomplishment… I hope you share it when you can!
PS – Richard, I linked my principal’s annotated list.
Inspired by our professional learning community group this year, I can add two items related to arts integration to a DID list.
1. I have almost completed mapping out arts integration lesson ideas for use at the high school level. The Common Core Standards for English language arts are paired with naturally-aligned fine arts standards, and lessons stem from this pairing.
2. I invented a new elective course to offer high school students for the 2013-2014 school year in Amesbury. It will revolve around the contemporary memoir A Long Way Gone, a powerful true story about a child compelled to become a soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone in the 1990’s. Students will examine the power of story telling through personal narrative. The class will not only study the memoir through reading and writing, but also through art, music, poetry, and drama. This elective is designed to help students refine their reading and writing skills through arts integration.
Jen – You have done such great work this year designing that course. I am very excited to see it begin next year and hear your stories! It’s been wonderful working with you again this year on arts int curriculum. Keep it up and I look forward to continuing!