Where do I start?

Picking up something new is never easy. It is even more difficult when it challenges your existing perspectives. Yet, when we recognize the value and impact that the change can bring, we lean into it and persevere. We encourage our students to do it. Why is it so hard to expect the same of ourselves?

If you are working to implement new curriculum that does not look and feel like what you are used to, it is OK to feel uncomfortable. It is even OK to feel concerned. That is cognitive dissonance speaking to you. We may feel that our students could never do what is being asked of them. How will we know until we give them a chance? A student learning to play an instrument sounds horrible at first. Each time they pick up the instrument they sound a little less horrible. One day, the horrible sound is gone and they actually sound good.

Navigating through the dissonance to get to the other side takes patience, and often support. Give yourself and your students grace. If you throw in the towel before giving it a chance, you will surely not see the reward. Working on implementing new instructional materials requires that we give them a chance. Don’t begin exploring by looking for ways to modify or supplement the resource. Teach it as written, to the best of your ability. Aim for integrity; not fidelity.

If your new resource is OpenSciEd, you likely know that navigating the teacher’s manual presents its own challenges. Below you will find a template for lesson planning that will help you to organize all of the important bits of information needed to fully understand a lesson. Our staff at the Einstein Project are always looking for ways to make your work a bit easier. If you have suggestions for other resources, please drop them in the comments below.

Keep your chin up. You’ve got this!