New Year, New Goals

"Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

In the midst of people making their new years resolutions, I returned to work refreshed and excited to begin the second half of the year with my kiddos.  I myself did not make any "new years resolutions," rather I've committed myself to my 30 things before I'm 30 list.  However, I think the idea behind new years resolutions is a good one, and I wanted to pass it on to my kiddos.

This was an idea that randomly came to me during my "back to school insomnia" the first week back.  I have to credit my cousin Shelley, because I think she does something similar with her high school students at the beginning of the school year.

I had each of my students make 3 resolutions for the second half of 5th grade.  Each student wrote three resolutions on an index card: one for school, one for home, and one choice.

Then, I had the students place the card in an envelope and seal it.

The students put their name on the envelope, and then I hung it on a wall in my room.  The idea is that no one knows what's inside the envelope except them.  (I didn't peek, swear!)

I told the kids that every time they see it, they should reflect on their commitment to the goals.  On the last day of school, I am going to hand back the envelopes to the kids so they can again be reminded of what they hoped to accomplish.