Things to do

As late summer is upon us, I feel the rush to do everything including all the things I have put off for so long:

Clean out the closet – best done on a rainy day

Donate items to charity

Set up the classroom at school – mostly done already

Take a short trip while I am not back at work

Finish my next book

Go out to dinner with friends

Update  the social media

Write, write, write

Plan projects to use in class

Take nature walks to recharge the batteries

At the beginning of each school year, I ask my students to write about their summer and to do this in German since I teach German.  This year I hope to role model for my classes what I did over my summer:  travel to Germany where I taught in three different schools and visited with friends;  I completed professional development in several technology based workshops; I created a video and a photo book in German about my trip and tried to keep up with new gadgets to use  this next year. 

As I renew acquaintances with continuing students in German 4-5 classes,  I welcome students new to the high school.  I try to put myself in their shoes as they wonder how class will be this year, where they will sit and who will be in class with them. 

After all, it is no different than in our own lives outside the classroom.  What will we do this weekend and with whom?  Shall we visit or write or phone one another?  There are endless possibilities and no two seconds are alike.  Not in the classroom.  Not in life.  So I savor that moment with them now before it is gone.  Don’t blink because before you know it, they will be grown and live elsewhere.  Such is life.

Did I accomplish everything on my list?  To be honest, no.  I switched gears, traveled and slowed down a bit.  I enjoyed visiting friends.  I took time for myself.   Now I am ready to give back this year and welcome them.  Leave comments about your list of things to do.