Push/Pull, Hurry Up/Slow Down, Reflect/Plan
Oh, yes, it’s the “push/pull, hurry up/slow down, reflect/plan” time of year! This afternoon as we sat in our weekly collaboration time (all 5 classroom teachers, the EAL and SRT support teachers, the curriculum coordinator, math/assessment specialist, and ELA coach) I could feel the tension building. In one breath we were planning our end of semester common assessments and scheduling that in tandem with the MAP testing. On the other hand, a few minutes later we were looking ahead to next school year and deciding on our ELA units- what would be integrated with science and social studies, what order would we teach in, etc.
I always pause when I am feeling the stress on both ends like that to reflect on our students- they are surely feeling it too. We all feel the crunch at the end of the year to “get it all done”, but I have to remember that “it” sometimes matters very little. I want to keep in mind that some of the most important things won’t be tested this year- skills like friendship, collaboration, self-regulation, mindfulness, creativity and so many important characteristics have been grown and will continue to develop. I want to make sure that kind of learning continues beyond the school year. I want to keep in mind that the students need time- time to read, write, solve problems and more. This need seems even stronger at the end of the year. We all feel the pull and push, but we need to remember to slow it all down too. I have to remind myself to be in the present. I have to say that is a good place to be.