These three words are what I strive to accomplish every summer. I will provide details about how I plan on completing each.
1. Rejuvenate: Spend time with family and enjoy sleeping a little later. I have only been on summer break for about two weeks now, but I have absolutely LOVED every single minute of it. It is so much fun seeing the world through a 2 year old's eyes. I am spending some time rejuvenating from the stresses of school year by sleeping in past 5:00 AM. I might not be that good at it...my body likes to get up at 7:00. So, the next thing I am doing...training for a triathlon 6 days a week. Every morning is something (either swim, bike, or run) and then I come home to spend the day going to story time, painting, playing, swimming, or any of the other MANY things my little girl loves to do. I like to think we are both loving our summer together. It has also been great to have my husband with me to enjoy these times. We definitely benefit from having flexible summer schedules. He has been a lifesaver in helping me continue my education by having so much quality time with our daughter.
2. Reflect: Take time to think back to how the past school year went and what you might be able to do a little differently. I like to give myself some time to separate from the school year, but with plenty of time before the next, to reflect on the year as a whole. Once I realize what went well and what needed some improvement, I then spend time laying out modifications for the upcoming year. There is always something I can improve upon.
3. Reevaluate: This goes along with reflection. I reevaluate my teaching strategies and make the appropriate modifications that can be done prior to meeting the new group of students. From my quick reflection from last school year, I have already reevaluated the way I will provide students with more independent choice in their learning style. When you provide students with the ability to make choices, they are more engaged and motivated to learn. Hopefully this motivation will become more intrinsic during the year.
For more information on motivating students, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has an interesting article to peruse.
http://www.uww.edu/learn/motivating_students.php
What do you do during the summer to re-energize yourself for the next school year?
These are three Rs I can support!
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