End of the year summary

We are finally reaching the end of the year and I couldn't be more busy. I am continuing to finalize my statistics and data regarding my Action Research Project on homework completion rates among students in World History classes. Although I did not receive the results that I was expecting, I do plan on continuing the use of these new strategies as a number of students indicated that they were helpful reminders to them. As for my classes, I am running into the same problems that I have encountered over the past several years. I have so much material to cover in such little time that I am forced to cut some material and move faster through other material. I figure that the only way I will be able to solve this problem is to set out a map at the beginning of the year that keeps me on pace so that I can avoid this stressful part of the year. I do however, find that difficult to achieve given the fact that the material covered at the beginning of the year and the middle part of the school year is very informative and important. Besides, students tend to enjoy some of the those subjects and we tend to have very good discussions based on those subjects. With Economics and Politics we can end up talking for more than a half of a class period on current events (which is not part of the curriculum, but I feel is beneficial for all students to learn about and discuss). One thing that is nice about this year is that I am not coaching any spring sports like I have for the past 6 years. This has enabled me to use more of my time for classroom work and for my family. Living 40 minutes from school has been a challenge and I love to be able to get home to my family as soon as possible. I am looking forward to the end of the year and possibly time to relax or maybe pick up some extra cash at a second job!