Happy New Year! posted by Rose

1/1/2012

I've been reading about One Little Word on Two Writing Teachers. I like the idea of adopting one word to guide you through the coming year. This is so much better than New Year's Resolutions which I invariably don't keep. The wrod that immediately jumped out at me was "reflect", and while I have thought of other words, "reflect" keeps coming back. I just looked through some notes I had in the back of my notebook and there it was again - a reminder to myself to reflect more in writing. Reflection is so important for everyone, but I think especially for teachers. We need to somehow build in more time to reflect on the successes and needs of our students, how our lessons went, and the words we chose to deliver those lessons. Reflection helps you move forward in the right direction. That is one reason we included reflection as part of our Your Turn lessons. So 2012 will be my year to reflect, and hopefully I'll be moving in the right direction.

5 Comments

Jacqueline Sham

1/2/2012 09:57:33 am

Hi Rose,
The selection of the word "reflect" to guide your year is an excellent choice. I need to reflect for awhile before I choose my word. What a great brain exercise! I will let you know what it is when I decide. I think I will challenge my Lehigh Valley Writing Project graduate students to do the same to start out our class tomorrow night. Thanks for the idea! Jackie

Jacqueline Sham

1/3/2012 05:31:31 am

Hi again Rose,
I gave more thought to selecting a word to guide my year and i have decided that it is "reinvent." I am using this word to focus on find a position in education that will allow me to exercise my skills and support my strengths. Whenever, I feel the pressure or manipulation of working a place that will not afford me this, I will use the word as my mantra! Thanks for the idea!

Diane

1/4/2012 05:40:09 pm

"Reflect" is my constant companion. I think it is such a critical word and concept for teachers, one that allows us to constantly "reinvent" ourselves. (Thanks, Jackie.) My word is "grow." I just started a new job, and I have so much to learn. It doesn't overwhelm me, though - it excites me, it reinvigorates me, it challenges me. In order to grow, I will need to constantly reflect on how my actions match my words and what I have previously learned about leadership, and I will be constantly reinventing myself in this new role. I just love thinking about the power of words. Great idea!

Stacey link

1/6/2012 11:13:01 pm

"Reflect" is such a wonderful word. May it guide you on a path of meaningful reflection in 2012.

BTW: Lynne told me about your blog yesterday. I'm looking forward to sharing the URL with other teachers this-coming week on our blog.

julie

1/9/2012 07:22:37 am

My word is breathe. Every year I say I'm not going to over schedule myself so that I can reflect. I know that when I actually take the time to write everything becomes much more clear, but it's the new year and I haven't changed a thing. So next week is a new week. If I could just breathe instead of passing out I will be happier, more focused, and balanced. Those are good words too, happy, focus, and balance. Why can't we as teachers selfishly pick a word like happy?

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Lynne loves to write in the early morning hours, especially in warm weather when she can sit outside on the patio. After a walk with her three Welsh Corgis, her mind is cleared and her spirit is inspired by the choir of birds in nearby bushes and trrees.

Happy New Year! posted by Rose

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