senoracmt posted: " Sometimes I'm really hard on myself. Today I was looking back at the things I've made to use with my students this year and thinking... I really haven't been making NEW stuff. I've been relying on things I already had on hand. I normally try to add a few"
Sometimes I'm really hard on myself. Today I was looking back at the things I've made to use with my students this year and thinking... I really haven't been making NEW stuff. I've been relying on things I already had on hand. I normally try to add a few new things in each semester... but I haven't had the mojo... and I was beating myself up. But then my daughter Allison (this little sunshine), our social media guru,
asked me what I was posting for the new year, and I was digging through my folders for some little nugget of wisdom and I realized something big!
Ok, I didn't create much new stuff this year. I wasn't wrong about that. But look at THIS.
This is a screenshot of the inside of my folder of pictures from the 2020-21 school year. That's it. TWELVE PICTURES. I took 12 pictures in 9 months at school.
We know that this (21-22) is a hard year and I've felt, in many ways, like I've been failing MORE this year than I did last. I was really good at teaching virtually (I think). And I have been not so good at teaching in person to kids who have to Zoom in. (Sorry , Zoomers, if you're reading this.)
But then, as I was looking in this year's picture folders for something to share with Allison for her New Year's post on Instagram, I immediately was struck by HOW MUCH WE HAVE DONE! This is ONE SEMESTER of photos from my classroom!
2021-22 is MUCH more fun!
Obviously not every day is photo-worthy, but each of those folders represents a day's activity that built community and proficiency in our classroom. It made me feel... like I needed to go easier on myself. We're doing this thing! It isn't always easy, but we're doing it.
No, I didn't get all my Seal of Biliteracy testing done last year, but that's ok. My students may test lower this year, that's ok. We've moved a lot slower through content but we have had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories doing it.
We start back Monday... and again, we go back to some uncertainty (this morning, the line for COVID testing in town was reaaaaaally long so who knows what this semester holds), but we can only do our best and we have to remember that that is enough.
Happy New Year. I am SO grateful for you. Thank you for your feedback, your kind words, and your encouragement. 2022, Please be kind.
P.S. I have a new clip chat coming VERY soon, we are putting the finishing touches on now. If you liked Lily and the Snowman, you'll love it. It is a darker version of Lily. Krista has even agreed to French-ify it for us!
Krista has even agreed to French-ify it for us!
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