I made to-do lists, which I actually couldn't take a screen shot of ALL of it! (As you can see, other has more written beneath). I don't even have all that I want to have on the list yet.
I know for sure that I want to improve my parent relationships this year; last year, as a first-year teacher, I really hadn't been expecting what happened after the fiasco of the first marking period, but it was a necessary experience to help me grow into a better, more professional teacher. Therefore, I am going to make parent-contact sheets as an introduction to friendly relationships with parents and for a chance for them to be able to state their expectations of contact: how often, for example, and if there's anything they think I should know about their child. I am also dedicating an ENTIRE SECTION in my binder to parent contacts... Last year, I had five folders for the papers I needed to collect, but that was it - everything else got shoved into binder pockets. It got very cluttered quickly, which as someone who is kinda OCD with organization, made my day that much harder.
My current puzzle is how to differentiate instruction for my one class, which shall have BOTH Latin 3 AND 4 students. I have to decide if I am going to split class time, or teach everyone the same thing; if anyone experienced would like to provide some insight, please feel free to comment. I am not sure how many students I have, but I don't think this year that I have that many (which does make me sad, but I was hired to build the program). I was told to be a fun teacher, not a mega-intense teacher, by both my supervisor and my predecessor, so I need to find creative ways to differentiate without making it feel like Harvard (yet, of course, I must make it challenging and have standards!!!).
Also, I had this very clever idea for student info... I found sheet protectors at Staples that were for baseball cards, and I discovered that half-index cards fit into those sleeves... I thought it could be a good 1st day activity to collect info on my students and keep a file in my binder. The front I could collect student info; the back I can collect parent-contact info.
Technology list is going to be a list of recommended resources (apps, websites) that my students can use while studying, translating, etc. I had an idea to have them preview difficult, well-known texts by having them listen to it in Latin via a podcast (there are podcasts out there!!); Roman History can also be done in the same fashion (which is better than listening to me talk about it, maybe. There are many resources on culture at least!)
I'm excited and terrified at the same time, but I am looking forward to the mentoring and support that I really need! And also, I registered for my first grad course... Again, excited and terrified!!!
