Inventory

Each spring we make changes to our classroom inventory and print out a copy for the office files. If anything happened to our rooms, like the recent tornado in Tushka, the administration would have a fairly accurate list of what we had lost.

I also like to make another type of inventory.

Each spring I try to sit down and figure out what “worked” with my class and what didn’t. I’m always trying to fine-tune my teaching techniques and be more effective. I adjust throughout the year, but I still find this spring inventory useful. Of course the class I get next year will have a different set of skills and personalities and will require a few adjustments on my part, even in things that worked quite well this year. I don’t think the general public understands that. Some of the procedures and techniques that have worked with ten classes might not work with the next one. This year’s class has been wonderful in reading and has exceeded all of my expectations. They have risen to every challenge and gone beyond the books and lessons that I usually reserve for May. However, they have been awful about cleaning up after projects, terrible about following procedures for borrowing materials from the art center, and the dreadful at the lunch table- worst manners in years.

Still…my analysis of the year will be helpful. Any needed adjustments next year will likely be apparent within a few short weeks.

The new procedure for our alphabet chart worked very well this year and I will start off the same way next year.

Making playdough part of “table centers” was disruptive and distracting. Playdough will need to be part of afternoon free choice time next year.

“Math square” was successful and will also be incorporated into next year’s morning circle.

Our blue book shelf was a total disaster all year and needs major reorganization. Need to look at some baskets or other dividers for next year.

“See and Say” sentences provided a good foundation for subsequent writing.

Handwriting on white boards was absolutely great!

Reading groups need to be smaller- four children instead of five, and I need to work with one group per day, not two.

“Sound it Out” spelling is still working.

I need to do more math testing earlier in the year.

I’m sure my list will go on for a few weeks as things occur to me. I’ll tuck it into my August folder as a reminder.