As I look forward to summer I have mixed thoughts and emotions about how the 7 Habits fit into my vacation. On the one hand, I definitely need to sharpen the saw. Taking the time to renew, relax, and think about things that have nothing to do with school is very important. On the other hand, this is a golden opportunity to refine my skills in each of the 7 Habits. I think it is important to approach summer with a sense of balance. Begin with the end of summer in mind. How do you want to feel when summer is over? I know that I want 2 things. I want to feel refreshed, and I want to be prepared. it's not too early to start thinking about how I'll do this. I will spend a lot of time with my family, I will take a trip to New Mexico, I will go backpacking, and I will spend several evenings downtown with Jeanne and friends. I will also read The 8th Habit, I will go the 7 Habits Signature Training in late July, and I will continue to read the Leader in Me Blog. You can relax and learn if you plan ahead. What will you do this summer?
30 comments:
I plan to use the 7 habits this summer with Jesse, Makalyn, & Kaylee. We worked some on them last summer but I'm hoping it will be easier this summer. I hope to read alot of books
Sallye
As I told Scott when I found out I was going to be a grandmother, I'm not planning to do anything this summer except play with my granddaughter. However, when the opportunity to do 7 habits training with the principal from Aledo came up, I knew that Anna (my new granddaughter) was going to have to give me up for three days of the summer. I have been to training with Robin as the presenter, and she is wonderful. She brings the 7 habits to life. A possible beach vacation is also in the works, and I'm sure I will do something reading both for pleasure & education. I, too, want to return to the new school year refreshed and ready to go.
I have to be honest! I have not made it through the entire book yet, I'm not much of a reader so it's been a real discipline for me. I will complete the book over the summer and attend training in July!! I am going to renew myself by adding new landscaping to my home, yardwork brings me great relaxation and joy!
I love summer because of the extra time to sharpen the saw. I'm looking forward to attending some morning classes at the gym when I would usually be at school. I also plan on letting Manny sharpen his saw at the dog park a lot this summer too. I want to read all of Marzano's classroom instruction book and touch up on the Cafe book as I might be teaching Reading as well next year. I'm going to do the aspire program this summer to kind of stay in the "school" mindset the first part of the summer. I plan on going to Ohio again to visit Mark's family in July, and to Florida to relax on the beach. I will also go to the 3 day 7 habits training in July. It should be a nice balance : )
Allie Jones
This summer I look forward to reading the Leader in Me book as well as the 7 habits. I have browsed over them, but I haven't really gotten to read them thoroughly yet. I am also hoping to attend the training in July. I am looking forward to my wedding in June, and the week after in Costa Rica.
~Jenna D.
Balancing personal and professional life is something that I really struggle with. Going to school full time and teaching has been extremely challenging. I've had to make a conscientious effort to put my focus on taking care of myself and nurturing relationships with the people (and pets!) that matter the most to me. This summer I will be done with school and have lots of opportunities to sharpen the saw. My husband and I are going to St. Thomas for 10 days with some friends, I’m going to spend lots of time cooking (my favorite) and exercising (not my favorite) and taking the dogs to the park. I also plan on reading anything and everything as long as it’s not a textbook. I’m really looking forward to the LIM training this summer and to having lots of time to get my classroom ready for next year!
I plan to sharpen the saw by sleeping a little more by reading the pile of books by my bed and in my office, reacquainting myself with Daily 5 notes from the conference, making exercise a regular part of my day, sleeping a little more, figuring out better ways to implement Norma Jackson info, seeing more of the two grandkids in OKC, catching up with family in China via more detailed e-mail and Facebooking, more sleep, a trip to Mount Rushmore/the Badlands/a train excursion. That'll fill up the whatever some odd days between the last day of this school year and the beginning of next school year. I hope to walk in the door of Porter excited about trying new things, excited about what I can contribute to kids and co-workers, excited about learning with 3rd graders, excited about daily opportunities to have an impact, excited!
The first part of my summer will be relaxing, dropping Jesha off in New Orleans for the month of June. Then off to Iowa in July for my class reunion. In between all the driving I will be reading and relaxing.
LeRoy and I plan to take full advantage of no child in the house and get some painting and deep cleaning done. We also plan on a little trip somewhere...
I want to start next year renewed and rejuvenated with the information we will learn in the Leader In Me training. Last summers was good but I hear that this one will be magnificent.
Roxanne
Over the summer I will relax and spend time with Jake. Russell and I will go on vacation to Destin, FL with our friends for a week. Jake and I will have the time to spend with family and take swim classes. I feel like I miss out on a lot of things I could do with him since I work. This summer I plan to take advantage of our mother-son time. I have a plan to combine some of the tools we use now to make the Daily 5 more effective. I am also using Rosetta Stone so I can learn Spanish. Unfortunatly, I was slow getting into the seven habits this year. Since I have been using them in my room I see how valueble they are. I plan to use some of the same ideas I use this year, as well as ideas from the training to improve for next year. If I still have a job :)
Sorry for all the misspelled words...
Jennifer
Yesterday when Scott mentioned planning our summer. I had to laugh to myself because I have my calendars of June-August already out and days are planned (Beginning with the End in Mind). I plan on teaching Aspire this summer,I have the 7 habit workshop on my calendar (Sharpen the Saw), trip to Iowa for the yearly event Steamboat Days (concerts,old friends I havent seen in years and lots of fun), a trip to Galveston for my daughter's national dance competition and of course for the beach, and my trips to PK for water and sun, this one is a must.(Synergize)
I have the 7 habit book layed out I have been trying to read it for a year or so...but I am not a reader so its hard for me to sit down and read. But I will try again this summer and review the Leader in Me.
i am looking forward to some relaxing this summer and to be refreashed for the new school year.
I am excited for the summer time, but I'm also just as excited about next school year! This summer I plan to celebrate my first wedding anniversary with Adam and take a 3 or 4 day trip somewhere to get away. I plan to finish unpacking our house, and to also paint and redecorate 2 rooms (aaahhh!) I plan on spending many days by the pool with Adam, our dog Prada, and close friends and family. Towards the end of July I will be spending 2 weeks in Europe with Adam and my parents (my parents just recently moved to Denmark, so I can't wait to see them!). We will be spending part of that time in Rome, and then I will fly back 2 days before the Leader In Me training begins. Whew! I'll need to catch up on some sleep after that! As soon as August comes, I will be on the count down to welcome my first niece or nephew. I plan to spoil that kid rotten.
I am really excited about beginning my second year of teaching next year. It will be nice to sort of know what's going on and have an understanding about how things work. I have many "new" plans for my classroom next year; including changes and upgrades. I like the feeling of having butterflies in my stomach as summer ends and a new school year begins. That lets me know this is what I'm supposed to be doing. It also reminds me how much I love kids, how much I love my co-workers, and not to mention, the school that I teach at!
I only got a taste of the 7 Habits and the Leader In Me this year, so I can't wait to dive right into it and learn about it more...not ony for myself, but for the future kids I will be teaching as well. I've heard wonderful things about the training that will be taking place in July. I hope to feel inspired and energized at the end of 3 days.
By the end of summer I hope to feel relaxed and refreshed, connected to family and friends, and have my batteries charged for a new and exciting school year. Woooo hooooo!!
Kirby Plata
This summer we will hopefully spend a lot of time at the lakehouse with Zack and Michaela and the dogs. It needs some TLC! Shane and I will also go to New Orleans and then on to Destin with our friends in early July. So there will be plenty of saw sharpening! I also look forward to just relaxing and having less of a schedule to adhere to. I too am looking forward to our summer training and that it is not on that Friday since that is our 16th anniversary~!
Glad I'm not the only one who is thinking about summer. Paul and I will spend some time in New Mexico in June. One of our best friends stays at a monastery in the desert twice a year, and raves about it, so we want to see that area. Sometime in early July we plan to go to Richmond, VA for a Civil War history weekend. I'm looking forward to sharpening the saw by hitting the gym at least 5 days a week as opposed to the 2 days during school. My 16 month old grandaughter has become a free time priority for me and as a grandparent I can now see how important beginning with the end in mind is. I am looking forward to the three day training at the end of July for the 7 Habits because it is scheduled at a time that will allow me time to reflect on the training before school starts again.
I am trying to sharpen the saw by walking more right now and hope that will help me get in shape and be prepared for all the walking I will be doing this summer on a trip with some friends to NYC. I need to do some work around my house, so I need to think first things first and get that done. I love to sleep late and I want to also go shopping at some stores that I keep saying I will get to but havn't yet. Then at the end of the summer I have two interpreter workshops that I will be attending. I'm looking forward to a great year at Porter next year after a great summer off.!
Ginger Griffin
Well, surprise, surprise, I actually do not usually have my summer pre-planned. I usually map something out for June and July sometime around the middle of May. BUT, this year is different. I began with the end in mind...I didn't want this summer to pass and feel bummed that we hadn't done anything as a family. We've not gone on a real vacation since before Margaret was born. So, I am taking a trip with Jeremy in June. We need sometime without kids. Then, we're also taking a little two day trip with Jeremy's parents. They live in Midland and it will be good for our kids to spend some time with them. And lastly, we'll be taking a big ol' family-of-four vacation for about a week. I have never had my summer trips planned by March--but I'm not only planned, I'm BOOKED! Wahoo. Trips were my main focus...but I'm also going to enjoy being a mom AND taking care of me. I've got "mom" things plotted to do with the kids as well as "AP" things I want to do as well as "Sarah" things I want to do. There's a lot of saws that need sharpening. 43 more days left!
So little time and so much to do...spending time with my granddaughter, starting every morning with a run, spending time with family and friends, 7 Habits training, horse shows, visiting family in New Orleans, going on vacation (still undecided),working on my lesson plans for next year, reading, laying by the pool, playing with the dogs, yard work, and shopping! I will cherish every moment...Summer is grand!
I look forward to spending a week with my family in June in Hershey, PA or as my 3 yr old niece calls it "the chocolate city". Also want to spend time finishing ALL my scrapbooks. Looking forward to the Leader in Me training and spending time with family & friends.
DeeDra F.
My plans for summer are getting another child ready for college!! I do spend time with family and friends and sharpen the saw more regularly. I love being outside!! As my school year goes by, I always make a list of things I want to do better or implement. In the summer I work on that list. At the top of my list for next year,to be more creative in including the 7 habits in my daily lessons. I have seen many of my kids take on their leadership role and shine. I know I can do a better job at helping my students see their potential and the leader in themselves. Happy summer!!
This summer I look forward to spending some quality time with Dane. We have a vacations planned to Breckenridge, CO as well as San Fransisco. I am not quite through the habits book...As I talk to derrick about it he becomes more and more interested. We have decided to read it together this summer and have our own book study. I am also excited about the 7 habits training scheduled in late July!
-Rachel
My wife and I have an ever-increasing list of things we want and need done this summer with regards to our home. Usually, we start pondering our return to the professional environment around mid-July. It seems though,as we mature (get older and slower than our 6 & 7-year old), we think more about the connections between the profesional and the personal. I was told by a minister once that 'my family is my *first ministry'. That statement has numerous implications for me; I need to make family priority one, and I must implement at home that which I strive to pass on to others. The latter echoes the sentiment that we (educators) must internalize the habits as/before we pass them on to our students. All of my summer will be spent with the forethought of improving my own family's daily habits before we return to our respective broader settings.
-Charles W.
I look forward to summer as a time to spend with friends and family. We will have time to relax and play in Colorado and New York. This will be a relaxing time so then we can all prepare for educational changes in our household at the end of summer. One in elementary, middle school, and college. Yikes!
I will continue my educational studies by attending workshops and helping out with Reading/Language Arts over the summer. I also plan to do lots of reading for pleasure as well as professionally. I am excited about the 7 Habits training in July too. I can’t wait to see where our journey continues to take us at DES!
-Monica
With the end of the year approaching and summer vacation getting closer and closer, I always start worrying about all the things I plan to do and how I will be able to fit them in my schedule. In the past I filled my schedule up with obligations and activities, however I left no time for me to work on "Sharpening the Saw. I am good at making time for keeping my body and mind in shape, but I always seem to forget aboout my soul. Although I have my schedule full for the summer, I left time every week for me to relax and enjoy my break. This summer I am teaching summer school, using the Rosetta Stone program to learn Spanish, helping Sylvia with Daily 5 curriculum, going to the lake, continue on my journey of playing at Wimbeldon jk, riding horses, going home to see my family, hanging out with friends, organizing my school files, working on new ideas for next year, and most importantly RELAXING and ENJOYING the break. I plan on having a lot more of me time this summer. This means actually sitting still every once in a while.
Erin Long
I think I am more ready for summer than anyone! Usually my days are consumed by playing in the pool with the kids, taking a nap, running, and more swimming. I love relaxing and keeping my mind away from school. We all work so hard during the year that when I'm off... I'm off.
I recently bought the book "Seven Habits of Happy Families" that I hope to read out by the pool this summer :) I will also be taking a few days off for the Leadership Training... oh.. and I will be taking a nice week long beach vacation (TBD once I get my passport in), as well as attending the Rangers/Red Sox game at Fenway in July! Bring on the summer! I also hope to have a lot of fun filled days with my "besties".
There is always a "list" of things in my head that I want to get started on immediately after school lets out in regards to changes for the next year. Most of the time, that is all it stays - a list. I get to enjoying my so called freedom and spend most of my time relaxing by the pool working on my skin cancer :). This year I would like to Begin with the End of Summer in Mind and get a plan going and set personal dates to have my "to-do's" done and WAY before August. Some of my professional "to-do's" include planning on working on my Reading Structure (cafe, D5, and Comprehension Connections) as well as cleaning out my files and binders of unnecessary paperload and recharging my materials with current, great substance material. I'm planning on getting on the Leader in Me website and finding several neat lessons for each of the Habits and trying to find some creative activities to represent each. This year I basically just worked out of the workbook, but next year I want to include some personal connection activities that might be displayed through some sort of art. I also plan on teaching summer school.
As for personal plans - "Sharpening My Saw", I plan on competeing against Erin Long at the Wimbleton match, as well as picking up a few much needed single life skills, such as learning how to change a tire, etc. I'll definitely be found by my pool and over off Lake Worth, Grapevine and Lewisville. Lastly, I know that I cannot be balanced if I'm not in alignment with God's will for my life. As we should always be working on our relationship with God, I will be using my free time to clear any distractions and do just that- work on my relationship with my Father in Heaven!
Crystall
OMG, I wrote a book! Who knew i could be so wordy! :)
Crystall
Each summer reminds me of what it would be like to be a stay at home mom. I could keep up with all the mundane house chores so much more easily, provide some home cooked meals for once and most importantly have some fun girly playtimes with Lindsey. In addition I am looking forward to not waking up at dark thirty. I plan to exercise in the mornings, eat right, slim down and be a new skinny Karen by the end of the summer. It's very easy to lose vision of how to take care of one's self during a school year when life is crazy, hectic and stressful. I also plan to belong to a women's Bible study that will be about growing in the fruits of the spirit(love, joy, peace, etc.). Thinking ahead with what I want to do differently in my classroom this next year is also a big deal. Doing as much prep work my mind can think of makes the school year always run more smoothly. I get a little OC when the school supplies start going on sale in the summer, too. I find myself racing around getting things that are 1, 5 and 10 cent items that usually wouldn't be. No big trips planned. We are holding out for Spring Break 2011. We have booked a cruise. Attending the Leader in Me training this summer will be perfect in helping me to see how I can truly implement the habits into my classroom with small children.
Staying home year round would be lovely, but the thought of giving up teaching is something I don't want to do, unless it is something that God has called me to do. I have wanted to teach since I was five. Each year always provides a new experience. New faces, new personalities and new temperances. What could be more fun?
The summer is perfect though, in providing me a glimpse of what it would be like to play the "stay at home" role.
Karen Tassone
My summer is already filling up fast and will include a month long visit from my Mum, sister and niece, three trainings and college hunting with my daughter. I have tried to be proactive and have already started a list of school things I want to get done. I work much better if I have a list and will feel like I had a more productive summer.
I am very excited that we have already begun our plans for next year here at Porter because I can use the summer to process our plans and make any preparations I need. This means when we begin the school year we will already have our plans in place for the seven habits. Thank you Jaimie! You had the insight to begin with the end in mind. Last year we implemented the seven habits very quickly and I think everyone was on board but at our recent staff meeting you can really feel the energy as we synergize for our future! Next year is going to be GREAT!
Julie Herring
Wow...When I started reading all the other blogs, I thought, " sharpen the saw is no problem for me. Reading, lazing around outside, camping with my husband, how much more relaxing and soul nurturing could it get? However, after thinking about this for a little while, I realized that I would also need to get my "summer tasks" completed too or I would become frustrated. So yes there must be balance. I balance work and "me" time very well throughout the school year. It is the summer where I have issues. So, this summer I plan on:
Making a reasonable task/goal list,
Make sure I accomplish the goals throughout the summer AND
balance my time with fun and R&R.
D. Barker
Oh the summer, when I first think of it, I just think of sleeping and sleeping and not being on such a tight schedule. My husband loves it when summer rolls around because I do more of the cooking and cleaning, and everything is just more relaxed. There are no big plans at our household for summer as my husband will retire at the end of August and we are concentrating our thoughts on what that will look like for him. As for me I plan to workout five days a week, take long walks with my dog, have my four grandkids for an extended period(none of them live here), garden, see my five siblings in June, and spend quality time with the rest of my family and friends. I do look forward to the LIM training at the end of July because I have heard so many trememdous things about the presenter and think it will be of great benefit for all of the staff to spend this time together.
Jody Taylor
Summer vacation is getting closer every day! I have already been proactive in making summer plans. Last summer I was fortunate to get to stay in a beachfront condo in Turks and Caicos with some of my best friends, and I fell in love with T&C! So this summer I have booked the condo for the first week in July with girlfriends and the third week with my husband and favorite aunt and uncle! Can't wait to go boating, snorkeling, swimming and exploring the island's many secluded areas! White sand and turquoise water for as far as the eye can see!
In June I am going to sharpen the saw by rereading the Leader in Me to help rejuvenate my creative juices. I want to define how we can recognize and highlight students at DES who exhibit characterisitcs of the 7 Habits in their daily lives. And I also look forward to attending the 7 Habits Signature Training for the second time! This will be a great way to start school year 2010-2011!
Paula Keller
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