New Year's Goal - January 4, 2011

My New Year’s resolution for the master’s program is to reflect more.  Yesterday was a good day back.  Students seemed eager to learn.  They were engaged during the polygon activities/discussions.  They were also engaged during the reading and discussion of our technology and space learning.  Yet, the reading lesson gets long; I need to find ways to break the afternoon up, and get the kids up and moving.  So, today students acted out our vocabulary; gravity, rotate, and revolve.  Tomorrow they will spend time in groups on a vocabulary game I made.  I just read another small article about the need for hands on, authentic activities, and I am working to create more meaningful learning.  I still have disengaged boys.  Today one told me he got in trouble in Spanish and Music because he was “bored”.  I feel society’s lack of good TV, students’ belief that they don’t need to work hard/plan for their future, and the single parents’ busy lives on their lethargy.  I desire to set the bar high and demand performance; I wonder if they will see/feel a difference, make a connection, and see a purpose in school.