Do you ever feel super energized just before and during the first month of school, and, then, begin to feel challenged to keep the momentum? I'm raising my hand! Since this is on my mind presently, I decided to sit down and write about the ways I try to keep the excitement going for as much of the 180 days as possible.
Whether our learners spend their days in 45-minute class periods, 90-minute blocks, or any other type of schedule for doing school, they like novelty. This often goes for the adults in the classroom, too. I am one of those people, and so I do something about it.
Our jobs as educators do not have to include what can be several days during which we dread a particular lesson, unit, or project. We may be limited by mandated, district-wide unit topics, book lists, and summative assessments, but we usually have some wiggle room to work within those limitations in such a way that our students can be not only engaged, but have teachers who are enjoying coaching and learning. It's possible! Case in point, *most* students and I enjoy the days when we have speaking summative assessments in French now that I made some gradual changes. It used to be a day of intense student nervousness and mental fatigue for everyone. There's still some of that, but it's a lot more enjoyable now. That’s a post for another day, though…
What about the precious little time we have to keep our heads above water? Personally, I don't usually put pressure on myself to create a new learning experience for any specific course or unit at any specific point in time. It just happens when inspiration comes to me, so I'm not suggesting that you devote much more time than you probably already do to your craft. Boundaries are necessary and allow us to bring our best selves to the classroom.
#1 --- Read what educators from other content areas are doing.
(Let me preface with this: If you are already up to date and following current practices in your content area, this is a nice addition to your resource bank.) This is one of my main strategies for finding inspiration to bring something new to my classroom. I do Google searches for a general topic and include a content area. If you're a World Languages teacher, you'd be surprised what you can learn from a Math teacher, for example. (I would like to take this opportunity to do a shout out to an amazing school librarian who taught me so much about the great 21st century learning that students can experience in collaboration with the school librarian. Thank you, Jane M., for sharing your brilliance with me!) When you have a minute or two, do a quick search, bookmark a page, and start thinking of ways you could apply what you learned to your content area. Think quick and easy prep.
#2 --- Poll your learners periodically.
Ask them what types of learning experiences they would like to see in your class. Be sure to give them ideas (preferably a few they've seen and some new ones) to check off in case they need help imagining the possibilities. If you’re comfortable doing so, include an ‘other’ option with an open answer box for the ones who have their own ideas to share. Keep the poll short. Listen to their feedback. Students, just like their teachers, feel the love when they have agency.
#3 --- Talk out loud about teaching and learning with a colleague.
Whether you talk with a colleague on campus or someone in your virtual PLN, the chances that something inspirational will come out of the conversation are much higher than they would be if you silently just mull an idea over in your head. Bounce ideas off of someone, ask if they are doing something low prep and highly effective that could be shared, or just ask if they want to chat about a particular education topic. You never know where that conversation could take you! Make sure you are talking out loud -- this is helpful!
Best wishes for a fantastic school year! If you'd like to chat more about an education topic of interest or ways to revitalize lessons, please message me here or via Twitter or Threads (@msfrenchteach). I'd love to connect with you!
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