New Things on the Horizon

So, I know that as teachers we live for our summer holiday and the time off for relaxation and rejuvenation; but I can't seem to turn off my work mind.  I love getting online through my lap top or my iPad and checking in to communities like Edmodo or Facebook to see what's new.  I think that a big reason for this is because of the transition to Common Core that will be taking place this year and next in my classroom.  I say classroom because I am 100% committed to making changes in my instruction, but I don't know what the goals area for my department, school, or district are as of yet.

One thing that I have been working on is planning Common Core Math units that will be implemented this year.  I brought one into my curriculum this year and it was successful in many ways.  I'm anxious about all of the work that will need to go into the other units to follow; especially because of the lack of support from my district.  I feel like the only one doing this kind of work, so it's a lonely road.

Another element of my teaching that I have been revamping is my use of technology in my classroom.  I have been using apps and online communities to try to keep my students connected and interested in their learning.  The challenge for me will be to sustain the use of these items in my work.  For example, I have created an assignment on Edmodo that my students need to complete, but it's more just as a trial because I don't know how it all works.  I want to see if it's a useful tool, and if it is, I want to continue to use it.

I want to stay positive and continue to think outside the box when it comes to my teaching, but at the same time, I do not want to constantly be trying new things for the sake of trying new things.  I would like to find something that I think is useful, effective, and meaningful and make it work for me and my students.