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On Reflections & Planning

Some truths about me.
I have a serious notebook addiction.
I love awesome pens.
I love to journal.

So, I guess it stands to reason that when I do my reflections over the year, and when I do my planning for the upcoming year, I love to do it with old-school, hand-written, paper & pen, in awesome notebooks.

This year, I picked up a medium-sized hot pink number at a local discount store for 2.99.  Maybe it seems odd, but I really like to start each new BuJo-ish library-planning journal right after the end of the school year.

All the things are still fresh in my mind.
I've just completed end-of-year reports, and all that data is handy for pondering.
I've just made my state library standards review, and my EOY infographic to share with stakeholders.

So, I've learned to begin at the end.  As it turns out, for me, at least, starting at the very beginning isn't necessarily a very good place to start because:

1. I want this year's data and other info clearly in my head when planning for the coming year. It helps me be intentional about tweaks and shifts I need to make, as well as, note things that went beautifully.
2. I will use this same notebook to write my notes in for all the summer PD I attend, all the webinar info I want to hold on to, all the ideas that come across my world in some way.
3. I can then easily reference those thoughts when planning in the very same notebook for the coming year. It's just so much easier when it is all in one place.

Some things I include:
  • Things that went well (Celebrations)
  • Things that need work (lessons that fell a bit flat, etc.)
  • Issues noted to handle (work orders to place, etc.)
  • Points of interest from my EOY standards self-evaluation 
  • Conference notes
  • Ideas that I need to remember
  • Thoughts I"m pondering
  • Those little wisps of almost-ideas that could be great with some work
  • Joy builders (this one is huge for me)
  • Questions to ask my principal
  • Ideas for collaborating
  • Various helpful lists (signage that needs updating, etc.)
  • My mission/vision (which doesn't change every year, but it helps me to stay focused)
  • My school's vision statement (printed and glued in if it is a long one, friends)
  • My district's goals (again, printed and glued in)
I'm a big believer in having a reflective practice, so throughout the year I'll write down the highs and lows as they happen.  I'll keep those things that otherwise slip out of my memory so that I can continue to push myself to learn and grow and be better each day. 

I'll use this journal until it  is all used up, or until the end of the year, when it's time to start a brand spanking new one. 
In addition to my little pink notebook, I also use Canva.com to create cute calendar pages and create a master calendar for planning my library year.  I'll add:
  • testing dates
  • staff development and other student holiday dates
  • Homecoming and other special school events
  • Special celebration days (Talk Like a Pirate Day, for example)
  • The main TEKS, or areas of study for various subjects
I also keep my state standards binder handy for referencing.
So far, this is what I've found works best for me, and a system that I'm sure I'll continue to tweak a bit every year.  

Just to note--I'm a fan of Trello, and other digital tools, too---but for me, using those comes AFTER doing the thinking/pondering/wondering parts of planning--once I know what I'm doing, I can use the fabulous Trello to help me keep track.  Then, I'm back to my trusty journal to reflect. I definitely need that brain-through arm-to hand-to pen-to paper while doing the heavy thinking bits.

How do you reflect and plan?
What are your go-to tools?
I'd love to hear them!

Always learning,
Sonja
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