The Second Half

Now that we have come together through the first half of the school year, it is time to begin the second half.  We have reviewed the curriculum, made adjustments to lesson plans, and took time to renew our energy.  The second half of the year is ready to commence, and we are going to embark on our educational path until we reach the end of the school year.  In less that 6 months we will reach June, the school year will end, and our year end planning will serve as our educational guide toward completing the educational goals we set.

As we return to our classrooms, let us keep our sight on the horizon.  Lets visualize the path that we are going to take from now on, and make sure that the first step we take is a positive move into the future of education.  Working together (Students, Teachers, Parents, etc.) we can support each other, help our students reach the end of the school year, and advance further into the educational path that we have planned.  Soon, January 2014 will become June 2014, and our students will be moving on to the next grade.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The Half Time

In some athletic events the team leaves the field of play, gathers together, then returns to the field of play to continue playing the game.  This is commonly referred to as half time.  During the half time the entire team can come together (Players, Coaches, Trainers, etc.) and use the time to a self evaluation.  The players can rest and those who have been injured can be cared for.  The coaching staff can analyze what strategies have been working, and which have not and need to be adjusted. The trainers can determine who can continue playing and who is done for the game.  As mentioned this month in a prior post the half time can be a time to observe "What we have achieved, what we need to complete, and what corrections we must make" so that "We can achieve completely the educational goals of this school year".

It would be nice if we could gather together outside the classroom (Students, Teachers, Parents, etc.) and do a self evaluation; however, with our personal schedules being so diverse, this may be a difficult event to coordinate.  This does not mean that we cannot do our own interpretation of the half time.  We have talked about some of the things that we could do during this period for example "Become organized and refocused".  Students can take a break and take care of themselves.  Teachers can help students "Reach the educational goals and achievements which they need" by making sure that they are "Taking charge of (our) lessons, curriculum, and classrooms".  Parents can help students and teachers by being supportive and understanding of what can be described as "A constant process of adaptation, implementation, and evaluation" that goes on in our schools not just on a yearly basis, but also on a day to day operation that is executed by all who are taking part in education.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The First Half

As January comes to a close educators and students are completing the first half of the school year and getting ready to begin the second half.  We are at a balancing point academically, and many factors must be taken into account when looking at the overall vector and magnitude of the current tilt of the scale.  Now is the time to check our balances and decide if they are evenly and fairly in harmony.  If the academic scales are not even or fair, it is our responsibility to begin the delicate process of attempting to regain balance by making adjustments to both sides of the balance.

To achieve an even, fair, and harmonious academic balance we must work in collaboration with each other: Students, Parents, Teachers, Administrators, and everyone who is directly involved in education.  It will take time for year end planning, establishing education goals, and developing education guides.  As this school year continues to go on so goes the learning in the classrooms.  What begun last fall is now pivoting through winter as it prepares to spring in the months ahead.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Year End Planning

Although this may be January and we have just said to each other "Happy New Year", for educators it is time to look ahead toward the end of the school year.  For educators the time to say "Happy New Year" was back in August, when we returned to our schools from the summer break.  For educators, there are still six months left in which we can educate the students in our classrooms.  Six months of education left.  A semester's worth of education.

This means that there is still time during which we can do our best to make sure that we reach our educational goals.  The best way to do this is to plan for the end of the school year.  We have to evaluate our current educational goals, and if needed, make corrections and adjustments to ensure that they can be achieved.  Making corrections and adjustments to our educational plans will give us the flexibility to adjust to unforeseen events or needs that we may encounter along the school year.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Halfway Point

January marks the halfway point of the school year.  What we began to plan and prepare for before the school year began back in August, is now a reality that has been fulfilled halfway.  Though we have made plans and preparations for the entire school year back in August and well before then, there may have been some unexpected challenges that caused our plans to be adjusted.  This January halfway point can serve us as an excellent moment to take a look at what we have achieved, what we need to complete, and what corrections we must make so that we achieve completely the educational goals of this school year.

 By analyzing what we have done, where we are now, and that which is yet to be finished, educators can become organized and refocused.  This can then in turn help our students reach the educational goals and achievements which they need to successfully demonstrate before they can move on with further education.  As educators we are in a constant process of adaptation, implementation, and evaluation, and it is important that students, parents, and administrators be aware of how we manage this process, as well as how they benefit from it.  By taking charge of our lessons, curriculum, and classrooms during this halfway point in the school year, educators can demonstrate that they are educational leaders who are helping students develop into the future leaders of their communities.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Education Guide for January

The return to school in January, following our Winter break, should serve to us as a pivoting point from which we can spring into action for the rest of the school year.  There are now 6 months until June, when the school year ends, and we must cover all that we can with our students, so they can go on with their education.  This guide can serve as a reference to help us navigate the next 6 months.  The last six months of this year's education calendar.

• Develop an educational calendar.
• Create extra lesson plans.
• Prepare for illnesses.
• Review with students.
• Encourage students to engage parents.
• Do test taking preparation.
• Drills for basic skills.
• Be open and receptive to student needs.

You are encouraged to use these as a guide, and customize for your own classroom needs.  Although 6 months is a long time, it can also pass us by in the blink of an eye.  By being prepared ourselves we will be better off as we continue to help guide them throughout their educational journey.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

January 2014

Our Winter Break is now over, and we are heading back to our classrooms.

As we do this, we must keep in mind that there are 6-months left until June.

We are at the halfway point of the educational year.

Student's must realize that time is constantly moving forward, and that soon enough, the school year will be over, and they will be moving on to their next grade level.

Let us take the time to plan how we engage students, so they can make the most of the next 6-months, and succeed this year to reach the next grade.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.