I hope you have had an amazing first week back with your students. Our district calendar allowed for a full two weeks of winter break and it proved to be what the majority of my students needed to return back ready to take on the second half of the year. Here is my favorite CS Lewis quote…
Before we left for the holidays, my building principal challenged the staff to consider a word that each of us would carry into the new year and use as a tool for reflection and growth. While I have done this with students at the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of the second semester, I thought this was an ideal time to get my students reflecting and considering growth opportunities. As a teacher, it is essential to reflect in order to develop and grow, so I find it is both essential and beneficial to give students this same opportunity.
I gave my students three simple steps to generate their word…
- Consider something about you that YOU want to improve upon when it comes to school, home, with family, and/or with friends?
- Identify that particular area that you are excited to improve and grow.
- Turn that area of growth into one word.
I shared that I wanted my word for 2020 to be FLOURISH-I want to continue to grow and thrive each day as a mom, wife, teacher, sister, daughter, and friend. That is a lot of areas to work to flourish in, but I am giving it my all.
After some discussing and Googling, I gave each of my students a plain note card, art supplies, some time to discuss with the classmates they sit closest to, and allowed them time to uncover and generate their individual word.
When students completed their Word for 2020 note cards, I gave them time to share about their word. Here are a few examples:
My oldest came to help me get them displayed today! These words are right at the beginning of the hallway where all 7th graders enter and head to class each day. I am excited for the students to be reminded of their word each day when they arrive.
There are a variety of ways to tackle this learning opportunity with students. This is the way that I found to be most fitting for my middle school students to encourage reflection and growth mid-year.
All the best in 2020!
