As a new school year is before you, I think that it's important to view it as a health decision. (Of course, your health is more important!) Take in as much information as you can, evaluate it and make an informed decision. You have certain guidelines that you must follow. However. there will always be certain ways that you can make instruction your own. Teachers are excellent at doing this and I'm confident that this skill will continue.
That's not to say that you have to re-invent the wheel! There are websites, other than the common core, that help you interpret these guidelines and give ideas from other teachers. I always learned great things from watching other teachers but...THERE WAS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO OBSERVE THEM!!! One of these websites is www.sharemylesson.com. It was in the NYSUT newsletter and I think it may be a good source of ideas.
I have to admit that I wrote another draft before I decided on this one. I thought it best to start the school year off on a positive note. However, a friend sent me a link that I thought was very disturbing and, at some point, it might be important to view it. We need to use common sense when we're involved in constructing, interpreting and instructing our students in terms of their developmental capabilities. Make sure you're sitting down! It is http://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-1-ela-domain-4-early-world-civilizations.
Lastly, I was impressed when I read the 8/11/13 issue of Parade magazine in the Sunday paper. There are 7 ideas from experts that make a lot of sense and I applaud them!!!!! It's called, "Building a Better School Day" and it's worth reading.
Just remember, sometimes it's hard to be sure what your students are learning from you - academically, socially and emotionally. Try to be honest, caring and sensitive, even if they drive you crazy! They may thank you one day!
PS: I have changed a few things around. Let me know what you think. I really made purple french fries and they were pretty good!
