The title of this chapter feels like it should be the title of my life this school year. The major point from the author that has become my goal in my classroom is to keep work meaningful. I think that it becomes easy to just do the things that you have done because you are busy and don't have time to plan new things. Well, this year I have found myself thinking many times, what is most important here. I have tried to step back and not get upset when students don't do things that I thought they should as long as we did what was meaningful. I know that I am not perfect at doing this and I do get caught up in doing the things that I have always done, but I am trying to constantly make sure that I am doing the meaningful things.
There are some points in this chapter that have reminded me of things that I need to do in my classroom to help me maximize the little bit of time I have. I need to make sure that the resources in my room are being used by my students and easy for them to access. I also need to make time for myself with professional developments to grow me as a teacher and then time for personal and professional reading. Even though I have taught First Grade for 12 years, I feel that I am constantly growing and changing what I do each year. Through my constant growing, I feel that I can share a love of learning with my students and we can use our time wisely!
I really like that you are taking Routman's point about keeping work meaningful as a goal! I know this will be something the students feel when they are in your class. They will know when they are working on something that will strengthen or push them further.
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