Three Personal Goals

 Goal #1

A goal that I had going into this school year is to make all of my work digital and have organized folders on my google drive for school. Organization is key to good teaching in my opinion and technology is a tool that we can use to stay organized with all of our work. An easy goal that I sometimes struggle with!

Although it is a work in progress I have been working hard at organizing my drive. As well as digitizing my planner completely so that I do not hand write my weekly plans on a planner, I type them.  The positive of all of this is that it has cut my planning time nearly in half with the ease and quickness that technology brings! Also, I have been able to organize every lesson in order with how they appear in the curriculum. Making my work entirely digital has also allowed me to better collaborate with my colleagues as well. 

Goal #2

Another goal for this school year, was that I was going to use blabberize as a method for my students to record and read a research paper to the class. It seemed like something fifth graders will really enjoy. I was going to introduce the assignment by making my own blabberize explaining what the students will be required to do. 

I have it planned for next semester, but I am planning on using it during our westward movement unit in history!

Goal #3

My wife gave me a smartwatch during our Thanksmas (Christmas on Thanksgiving) family celebration.  I planned to use my smart watch as I begin running regularly again. 

So far since Thanksgiving, I have ran every day and tracked my calories, steps, and distances. I have also been using it to listen to music as I run!  The smart watch has also been a great asset within the classroom. It has been great for sending me reminders throughout the day about things my students need or I need to accomplish. I use it as a timer for timed lessons and I keep track of my calendar with it! It too has helped organize my teaching (and life!).