New Year's Goals 2008

I have been thinking about the beginning of a new year. I tend to think about last year and what I accomplished. I also think about what I am going to accomplish this year. I have read a few other posts about resolutions and/or goals. Jen at A Teacher's Life wrote about her goals. I have also been motivated by HipWriterMama. She mentions the word goals and shares with us her thirty day challenge. I would like to participate but I am not sure what to do.

Here is a list of a few things I would like to accomplish this year:
1. Memorize all the Presidents and Vice Presidents
I would like to know when they lived, interesting things about them and what they are remembered for. I have to say that I know many of them but never had to memorize them all. At the time (10th grade History) I was very glad I did not have to do it but now I wish I had learned them much earlier. To begin I purchased The Everything American Presidents Book by Martin Kelly and Melissa Kelly.
2. Acquire Books Differently
I am planning on taking advantage of the library before purchasing a book. I have to admit that I buy books sometimes that I would not keep on my shelf. I would also like to check at Half-Price Books before buying books at the full price. I have been using it to supply Nancy Drew books to my niece. She reads them in a few days. I pay around 3 dollars a book instead of 9. It is even better than half price and I only buy them if they are in good shape. I am always looking for suggestions of good books.
3. Improve My Blog
I am going to work on making my blog better. I recently purchased Clear Blogging by Bob Walsh which I have begun to read through. A few things I am going to do is tag my posts, put more links in my posts, and write more comments on others blogs which Bob suggests. I am also going to add a Blog Roll, which he may suggest but I m not that far into the book yet.
4. Read 6 books on Education
I have to finish Enriching the Brain by Eric Jensen. (I don't know if I will count this one because I am about half-way through it.) I am planning on reading Teaching Outside of the Box: How to Grab Your Students by Their Brains by LouAnne Johnson and Understanding By Design by Grant P. Wiggins and Jay McTighe, and Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction by Vicki Spandel. I have a few more on my shelf, but am always looking for suggestions.
5. Read books about Worldview and Christian Thinking
I have several. This journey started a few years ago when I took the PEERS Test by Daniel J. Smithwick and while I don't agree with all the views of the Nehemiah Institute. It was a great beginning. I also read Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason In The Life Of The Soul by J.P. Moreland. I enjoyed it so much that I bought several copies and gave them away. It also has a great book list in the back and I have bought a few of those books. I have to admit I did not get very far on these books because I was reading books for grad. school instead. Now that I am done I have time to go back to them.
6. Get in Shape and Take off a few Pounds
I have started working out before the year ended. I have a great friend who encourages me. We have been running together. I have to admit that I have not really done anything over break and I have to think a little more on my plan of attack.
7. Organize, Organize, Organize
My organization initiative includes: closet, desk, books, teaching stuff, etc.... Right now because I don't have my own classroom my 10 or so years of accumulated teaching materials is in my basement. Picture in your mind about 10 bins of books and many bins of other stuff. Any helpful suggestions?
8. Start Another Blog
I would like to start another blog so that this one stays relevant to teaching. I would include topics that surround a few of my other goals.

I have some thinking about how I am going to accomplish these. I am currently thinking about committing a day of the week to go over my goals and check my progress. I heard Dr. Rosenfeld mention something called Healthy Monday on FoxNews this morning. I am going to come up with some kind of plan that works for all my goals that is similar to this. I think it is going to be a Saturday morning thing for me because I can think about my progress over the last week and refocus myself on my goals for the next week.

I may add a few more goals to this list. What are your goals or resolutions for the New Year? Do you have any plans or ways to accomplish your goals?