New Year's Resolutions!

I am joining in on the fun of the New Year's Resolutions linky party!  Go over to A Teacher's Treasure to learn more about this linky.

My resolutions for 2012:

PERSONAL:

1.  To cook more for my family.  I am a pretty good cook, and I used to be the main mealmaker for my family, but when I began my Master's program, I got out of the habit, and my husband took over most nights.  I have been done with my Masters now for a year and a half, but he still probably fixes more meals a week than I do.  (Not that there is anything wrong with that :))  I just want to get back into the kitchen more.

2.  To exercise more.  Of course, I could afford to lose weight, too, but that would just be a happy aside.  I really need to do a better job of keeping in shape.  It is another thing that I used to do a pretty consistent job of, but in recent years, I don't take the time to exercise for me, and I know that it is something that I need to do.

PROFESSIONAL:

1.  To begin work on a Masters degree in technology.  I love it, I teach it, and I spend so much time using it, I really need to "bite the bullet" and get some hours towards a degree!

2.  To reevaluate my math structure and to be open-minded towards a math workshop approach.  I really love my math program, and I work hard to differentiate for all of my students, so I have been a little hesitant to pursue the workshop approach in math (even though I love it in reading).  However, I know that it is going to be expected in my district soon, so I guess I had better begin to see how I am going to make it work for me and my students.

3.  To share my passion of technology with others by sharing resources and ideas with colleagues, blogging friends, and my Twitter PLN.



I just read today that your resolutions should be realistic and small steps in order for them to stick.  I  hope that these fit that bill and that I am  able to make some changes in my life for the better of me and those around me.  Happy 2012!!

Wow! What a find! eduTecher.net

Edutecher is a great resource that I was led to through Twitter.  I have been slowly going through the many websites there and building "my backpack."

This site is a gold mine for teachers looking for ways to use technology in the classroom.  There is a large library of websites for teachers at all levels and in all content areas as well as videos to help guide a teacher in all things tech.

There isn't much more I can say because there is just SO MUCH to say about this resource.

As many of you know, I am part of a district initiative for 1 to 1 computers in the classroom.  The amount of things I have learned and tried so far this year is AMAZING!  I have a great group of kids this year, and they make it so much fun.  Needless to say, this means more work for me, but it is a challenge I enjoy.  I set my goal in this project to enable my students to be aware of the many tools available for them to provide digital output to demonstrate their learning.  Edutecher has resources that I can share with them, plus resources I can use myself which makes their learning more engaging.

I hope you find it as useful a resource as I have!



Fun SMART doc

    
   This is a past picture of my chlidren at the holidays. If you click on it, it will take you to a fun SMART doc to use in your classroom.  It is really a doc I created just to use on a Friday afternoon or something, and my students have really enjoyed it.  You can customize it for yourself by changing my roomcode, 3G, to your own.  Also, if you don't get a chance to use it by the holidays, you can cut the Christmas tree from the home page and insert another holiday image (or omit it altogether).  Remember--you must have SMART Notebook on your computer to open the document.

   I am having fun this year with my class, but I am working hard and am not yet into the holidays.  I can't believe that it is so close.  We put up our tree this weekend, so I am hoping that that will help me get into the spirit.  I purposefully made sure to have my plans done until Christmas so that I would be able to have more free time at night to enjoy the holiday time with my children.

   One of our favorite traditions, that we have done since my oldest son was little, is a holiday book countdown.  We pull 24 holiday books and put their names on slips.  Each night, we pull a slip and read that book.  These days, the boys have a rotation and read the books to the rest of us.  Even though 2 of them are in high school, it is something they still ask to do.  Each year they hope that the final book will be "The Night Before Christmas."  (I don't think that has ever happened!)  I enjoy this simple tradition, and I am especially glad that they still do, too.  We'll do it as long as they ask. 

    I hope that this month is full of excitement for your classroom and your family, and I hope that you are able to use the SMART doc in some way in your classroom!