As we prepare to get back to our lessons next week, I’ve been prayerfully considering what to do and what to avoid this year. These are some things I’ve realized:
less is more. I don’t have to teach a lot to teach a lot.
- it depends a lot on my preparation as a teacher. I am not confident when I just open a book and try to teach. I must internalize what I am teaching.
- My kids need things in small bites, and our schedule reflects that.
- I don’t need lots of stuff (like teaching aids and such). It clutters and actually distracts us from learning.
- I must be sold out. I can’t be half-hearted in educating my kids.
- I need to plan things. I’m not good with a vague idea of how the year will go. If it’s not written down, I probably will not do it.
- I have to be careful not to overplan (see #1)
I am seeing what I can keep, what I can do differently and what I can simply let go of. That process really charges me up for the next year. I feel things are fresh again and I’m ready to take on another year.
It really is freeing to know that you “don’t have to teach a lot to teach a lot.” Thank the Holy Spirit for his never ending work in our hearts and minds. We can rely on him and that is peace.
Timely!!!
What a fine line sometimes between preparing and over planning! I trip over it frequently.
I began to realize the whole clutterization of teaching “helps” at the last convention. Walking through the exhibit halls looking at all the teaching aids and curriculum choices and educational toys, I came to realize that it is the teacher not the things that impress the learner. I have been learning to ease into that comfort zone that perhaps a book and paper and pen and my depending on the Lord is all we need. I do, however, love my math toys!!!