Opinion
Education Opinion

Resolved: Make More Lists

By Hanne Denney — January 01, 2006 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

My resolution for 2006 is to make more lists. I meant to buy a new notebook at the store today, so I could write down things I need to do, but I forgot. If only I had written it down …

I’ve spent the day thinking about resolutions for teachers. I’ve made a list on a scrap of paper. Here are my contributions for your consideration. If you like this list, feel free to adopt it as your own. That will save you some time having to make up resolutions for yourself.

Teacher Resolution List

1. Write things down. Carry a small notebook at all times and write down things you need to remember – the parent who needs a call, the student who needs a copy of some missed work, the question another teacher asked that you couldn’t answer at the time. Get in the habit of reading the notebook every morning when you arrive at school and every evening when you leave. Check off things that are done – it will feel so good!

2. Use technology to its maximum advantage. Learn new tools and techniques. Take digital pictures, use email to contact parents, download videos for instruction. Surf the Web - read Teacher Blogs for inspiration and ideas!

3. Grade less, assess more. I resolve to assess students daily – by a variety of methods – to measure their progress. I can use observation, verbal assessment, review games, quick-writes, partner work, or even quizzes. If I know the students are progressing, I don’t have to grade so much. Taking home less paper to grade is good.

4. Plan down time. Schedule it on the calendar. Write down if Tuesday is a “take work home night”, but also write down if Wednesday is “go to the gym for a long workout and sauna night”. That way Wednesday stays as important as Tuesday.

5. Be positive. I don’t mean with the students – we are positive if we’re good teachers. I mean with other teachers, staff, administration – and yourself. Think about success, check off items on your list, pat yourself and other teachers on the back. Give someone a card, send a happy email with a cc to the principal, volunteer for a new school program. Positive means happy. Happy teachers are strong teachers.

There. Now that’s done. I’ve made resolutions for myself and for anyone else who wants the list. I’m checking this task off on my list. Where is that list? Wish I had a little notebook …

Happy New Year to All!

The opinions expressed in Ready or Not are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.