I am a teacher that plans to retire from the classroom BUT, I love opportunities to lead from the classroom. I’ve chaired committees at the local and state level and am now working with NBCT nationally. https://www.nbpts.org/about/what-book-committee/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3GxulKXE_r9V77pVGdDhEihrVre6tFZpUCM8wolpUrMQOsJBb7HvAjQ7A_aem_Ab0wdKhWHcrhy1S1q64C-qIlhMXqESSKBFOiEqFK0-P2rSqtoNgPuxrA1HnfA-6SLPBb7sL9aVKn2_2gy63QVKVj

My district allows me opportunities to grow professionally and I appreciate this so much. What do you do you do to grow professionally?

What are you reading? As summer hits I have so much more time to kick back and do what I love, read! Share your favorite professional book as well as a good summer read for enjoyment!

How do you tackle new curriculum? We got new reading last year which I tackled one module at a time. This year we are switching to a new math and I plan on doing some work and planning this summer in small doses to prepare for next year. What tips do you have?

As you end one school year, is there anything you do to help prepare for the next year before you leave?

Our 2nd grade teachers shared that place value was the hardest unit this year for a majority of students. We began Eureka Squared this year but they needed to find additional practice options. Do you have any go to sources for place value?

What are some ways you incorporate fluency into your daily instruction?

Will you be doing anything with your students to share or celebrate the Summer Olympics?

Our district just started using Clever for a single sign on so that students can easily get into district provided apps etc… how do you encourage families to utilize this in the summer? Do you organize a parent training?

Does your school do a step up day for the student to meet their teachers for the following year? We are doing it and I am having my students to create a book using an app called Book Creator to tell the first graders what they will be learning in 2nd grade. These digital books will be shared in small groups.

What are some of your favorite websites or publishers of early reading reader’s theater you love?

Would you like to start the upcoming school with less stress and feel more organized?
Right now, at the end of this school year, there are things that you can do upfront to make the upcoming school year start out smoothly:

1. Reflect on your Procedures and Routines - What worked? What didn't?

2. Get your room organized by getting rid of things that you will not use.

3. Plan for the First Day (or Week)
* getting to know you games
*first day read alouds
*procedures to teach
*a fun math about me craft
*tips for managing supplies
*community building ideas

4. Map Out Your Year.
Mapping out your lesson plans a year at a time is an effective way to stay organized and focused as an educator. While it may seem like a lot of work upfront, taking the time to plan out your lessons in advance can help you stay on track and ensure that you’re meeting your students’ needs.

5. Get Ready For Open House / Meet The Teacher:
*Introduce yourself with a slideshow
*Provide important dates
*Share your goals and expectations
*Provide a schedule of a "typical day"

What things can you add to this list?

What curricular materials, if any, does your school use and why were they chosen?

Does your school utilize intervention programs as part of their summer school? If not - what do they use- or what type of program is used?

Differentiated instruction vs. Scaffold Instruction How are they different?
Scaffold instruction provides support for students to understand the material. This type of instruction is temporary, and the support is only used until the student understands the material.

Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach tailoring it to address students' needs. Each student has the same learning goal, but the instruction is varied based on the student’s learning style, strengths, and interests.

To meet the different needs and interests of each student, the teacher may vary the

-course content

-activities or

-assessments

Differentiated Instruction takes time and patience. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach but based on each student's needs.

What are some ways that you differentiate to meet the needs of all your students?

What are your favorite seeds to have your students plant? I usually stick with Lima beans or alfalfa seeds, but I’m looking to branch out.

What are some analogies you have used to make connections with the students? For example:

I am the Costco sampler person. I give you a little taste (the content limit of standards) and hopefully you will buy more (looking deeper into the subject)

I am an academic mechanic, I have to diagnose the issues and solve that problem.

School year- does your school district wrap up the school year by the end of May? Do you teach in a district that has a modified calendar schedule?
I am curious to learn more in your thoughts, experiences etc on this!

How do you plan with your team? Is there one teacher who takes the lead or do you share the planning? How often do you meet?

How do your teams plan together? Is there one teacher that takes the lead more than others or do you all collaborate together?

Has anyone published a class book with their students? I have done this in the past and it is a good way to help students with opinion writing and to see what they have learned about a particular subject. I use a company called Student Treasures. This is there website: https://studentreasures.com. I am showing pictures of 2 books that I have published with my students. I usually invite parents to my classroom for a book party and each student reads their page. They really enjoy it and it builds community.