1. Revamp your workshop/independent work time.
No doubt by the end of the previous school year your IWT was starting to fall apart. It always does even if only slightly. Plan to start IWT off right this year. I usually start in the second week of school by picking a time that will remain sacred all year for IWT and then sticking to that time, generally increasing it in terms of length and complexity. Listen to the podcast for more info.

2. Check your library.
Make sure you are incorporating great literature. In the lower grades, have selections available for independent reading which are related to unit themes or are just great books. In the upper grades, make sure you’re reading the full length versions of some of the stories in the basal (Island of the Blue Dolphins, Diary of Anne Frank, Mrs. Frisby, etc.) and some additional literature to foster a love of reading in students. Suggested books are listed for every unit on the web site or do a search for Newberry or Caldecott award winners.

3. Get organized.
For each unit you should have a file, a box, a folder, with unit resources. I hope to have provided you with some of those resources and pictures but you also need to incorporate realia…the hermit crab shell you found on your trip to Hawaii for an animal unit, foreign currency for a money unit, etc…

4. Make a plan to stimulate higher level thinking this year.
Prepare your handing-off discussion question in advance for the first unit, using the manual as a guide. Some teachers complain about the program not promoting higher level thinking and then don’t ask questions of students or teach them to ask their own questions which will require higher level thinking. You can’t just give yourself over to the manual and abdicate your responsibility as the leader of that classroom.

5. Take care of yourself.
Take a vacation, read a good book, watch a good movie…and if you start school Thursday, have a good 4th of July!