A new year is a great time to create goals for yourself and your students. But finding attainable goals that won\u2019t get forgotten a few months later can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 25 ideas and inspirations that can be used throughout the year to help you and your class achieve your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Get Organized<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although this one is on everyone\u2019s list every year, being organized helps you be more efficient and reduce stress. A new year provides a great opportunity to organize your classroom in a more effective way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organize forms, printouts, or student files for easy access in a file organizer<\/a> and store classroom library books and teaching materials in storage and organization bins<\/a>. Through organization, you will be gifting yourself more time in the future \u2014 and that\u2019s a goal every teacher can appreciate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Set New Expectations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a new year and expectations are naturally evolving for everyone. Create new classroom resolutions with your students. Engage your class by having them brainstorm ideas, discuss the suggestions, and finalize the classroom expectations for the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Write and hang the classroom resolutions in class. But don\u2019t just keep them hanging: Review the resolutions throughout the year to see how the class is accomplishing the goals it set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Make an Honest Assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Half the year has finished, and half the year is left. Now is the perfect time to assess what has been working and what has not when it comes to your teaching resolutions. Create a plan that incorporates the effective tools you\u2019ve used and create new plans to tackle areas that have not worked as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Improve Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers know better than anyone that learning is a lifelong pursuit. Refresh and renew your skills to help sharpen your teaching toolkit and help drive student achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Bring FUN to Fundamentals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning is meant to be fun! Incorporate games that can inspire students while they study the fundamentals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Book BINGO is a great game that can encourage your students to read more. Give students a BINGO card with spaces containing different subjects and genres of books (e.g. mystery<\/a>, historical<\/a>, graphic novel<\/a>, non-fiction<\/a>, etc.) filled in. Leave a few blank spaces where students can add authors\u2019 names or book titles of their choosing. When a student finishes a book, they mark the space on the BINGO card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once a student gets BINGO, they can be rewarded with a new book or a classroom privilege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Collaborate More<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Collaboration is key in the classroom. Every teacher needs another for help, as a lunch buddy, as an ear to listen to, or as a resource to get new ideas. What better way to start the new year than by dedicating to help a fellow teacher?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been teaching a while, become a mentor to a newer teacher. If you\u2019re newer to the profession, seek out a mentor. Connect at least once a month and discuss any hurdles that you may need help clearing or strategies that worked well. Having a fellow teacher support network will work wonders for both mentor and mentee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Inspire a Love of Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a Mystery Book Box filled with read-aloud titles. Then, without looking, select a book from the box and then share it with the students. The Mystery Box only appears a couple of times a year which helps to preserve its charm with students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Add More Interactive Lessons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have consistently shown that students learn more through active learning rather than traditional lectures. Scholastic Magazines+<\/a> engages students with powerful articles, timely topics that interest them the most, and one-of-a-kind stories that capture their attention. Interactive reading tools, videos, infographics, maps, and more will support and enhance their reading experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Refresh Your Classroom Library<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Review your classroom library. What books have been loved a little too much and may need a refreshed copy? What books have not been touched? What non-fiction<\/a> subjects are students clamoring for? What reference resources do they need to help complete their educational goals? By refreshing your library, you can introduce students to new authors and new topics helping instill a positive attitude towards reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Look for Resources on Social Media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media is a great resource for finding teaching ideas and inspiration. By following teachers, organizations, and companies that support educators, you\u2019ll find a lot of professional development tools and useful ideas from your fellow education community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. Save Time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What teacher doesn\u2019t want to save time during the school year? Some effective ways to save time while maintaining your teaching standards include creating templates and reusable resources that can be used across multiple lessons or classes, setting up classroom routines, prepping and grading in batches, and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By implementing these strategies, you can reduce the time spent on routine tasks, allowing you to focus more on teaching and connecting with your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. Get Feedback<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a check-in with students for a few minutes once a month and get some honest feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students can fill out a feedback form. How are they feeling? What did they enjoy learning about this month? What would they like a future lesson to feature? By getting consistent feedback you can help improve both you and your students\u2019 performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13. Decorate and Educate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As humans, we\u2019re visual learners and that\u2019s especially true for children. Add fun decorations to your classroom that also inspires education in your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decorating your classroom door encourages learning from the moment your students enter your classroom. When under a time crunch or not in an especially crafty mood, there are lots of classroom d\u00e9cor<\/a> options that brighten up a room while providing a learning experience for your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 14. Make Time for You<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-care is key, especially after a holiday break when the second half of the school year takes off. Re-energize yourself by taking a few minutes each day to focus on yourself. Take a walk, concentrate on your breathing, sit down to eat lunch, or meditate. Taking a few minutes to do what\u2019s best for you will help you be your best for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15. Be the \u201cI\u201d in Kind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Model the kindness and compassion you\u2019d like to see in your class. By showing a caring classroom, you can help create a caring classroom. The inspiring Will You Be the \u201cI\u201d in Kind?<\/em><\/a> <\/em>is a book that students can review over and over again throughout the year. This engaging story will spark conversations about the concepts of kindness, empathy and compassion, and encourage kids to bring kindness along wherever they go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 16. Go Ahead, Move It<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a break and get your class up and moving! Letting the energy out can help your class (and you) stay more focused for the rest of day. So, get up and jump, stomp, clap, or bounce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17. Mix Up Your Routine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you need to mix things up to create excitement for you and your students. What better way to get students excited about reading than by joining a live read-aloud?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Storyvoice<\/a> is Scholastic\u2019s free, online platform for live author events and read-aloud shows for kids. Each month, Storyvoice offers a variety of reading programming for classrooms to meet award-winning authors and illustrators. Check the schedule, choose a story, and join in on the fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18. Find Fun New Titles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Need some new ideas to refresh or build up your library with titles your students will love? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the latest Book Clubs flyer<\/a> for great new titles and seasonal favourites!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 19. Create a Classroom Campaign<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Work with your students and community to raise funds to replenish or build your classroom library. With the help of families and the school community, you can get more books into your students\u2019 hands!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 20. Introduce New Genres<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Broaden your students’ literary horizons by introducing them to genres they’ve never tried before. Check out exciting new fiction<\/a>, non-fiction<\/a>, fantasy<\/a>, and graphic novels<\/a> among so many others. They may find new favorites they’ll love to explore!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 21. Build Math Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Build problem-solving skills and make learning math<\/a> fun with great activities from Scholastic Book Clubs, like Magnetic Pizza Fractions<\/a> and Math Swatters!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 22. Get Students Excited About STEM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspire your students to explore their world with stories about leading figures in STEM<\/a>. From marine biologists to rocket scientists, these stories will introduce fascinating new areas of study through the eyes of the people who have worked in the field. They may even be inspired to become scientists themselves!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 23. Incorporate Fun Writing Prompts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let your students’ creativity bloom with creative writing prompts that encourage students to explore different genres while honing their writing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 24. Introduce Daily Mindfulness Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Promote positive energy and focus in your classroom by working mindfulness into your daily routine. Creating a culture of mindfulness<\/a> in the classroom is beneficial for both students and educators alike for many reasons: It can reduce stress, increase focus, build resilience-promoting skills, and create a more positive learning environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n