As another school year comes to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting on just how much growth can happen in a year.
For my students, growth is measured in many ways. Sometimes it’s a MAP score. Sometimes it’s a reading level. Sometimes it’s a child who finally believes they can solve a difficult problem on their own.
But growth isn’t just for students.
This summer, I’ll be preparing for one of the biggest changes of my teaching career: moving from first grade to fifth grade.
After several years of teaching primary students, I am stepping into an entirely new grade level, new curriculum, new routines, and new challenges. While I am excited, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a little intimidating too.
In many ways, I feel a lot like the students we ask to learn new things every day.
Growth Doesn’t Happen Overnight
One of the reasons I love MAP Growth is that it reminds us that growth is a process.
Students don’t master everything in a single lesson.
Teachers don’t master a new grade level in a single summer.
Businesses don’t become successful overnight.
Growth happens one step at a time.
This summer, I’m focusing on building systems that will help both my students and myself be successful next year.
This summer feels especially significant in our family because every one of my children is approaching a major milestone. My oldest will begin her final year of middle school. My son will enter his last year of elementary school. My preschooler is preparing for her final year before kindergarten, and my youngest is spending his last year at home before beginning school himself.
As a parent, it is impossible not to notice how quickly these seasons pass. Each milestone reminds me that growth is often easier to see in hindsight than in the moment. The small daily steps rarely feel dramatic while they are happening, but over time they add up to something remarkable.
I think the same is true for our students, our classrooms, and even our own professional journeys.
What I’m Working On This Summer
Learning Fifth Grade
My first priority is learning the curriculum, standards, and expectations that come with teaching fifth grade.
I’m spending time reviewing resources, organizing materials, and thinking through how I want my classroom to function. While many things will be different, my core beliefs about teaching remain the same:
- Meet students where they are.
- Use data to guide instruction.
- Create systems that make differentiation manageable.
- Focus on growth rather than perfection.
Continuing to Build Order in the Orchard
This summer is also an important season for Order in the Orchard.
I’m currently working on completing the Strawberry Series, my K–2 reading resources aligned to the MAP Growth Learning Continuum.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year is that creating meaningful resources takes time. Every worksheet, tracker, and product starts as an idea before it becomes something that can genuinely help teachers and students.
While it can be tempting to jump to the next exciting project, I’m learning the importance of finishing what I start.
Preparing for Next Year’s MAP Testing
Although next year’s testing season may seem far away, many of the systems that support student growth are built long before students ever sit down to take a test.
This summer I’ll be thinking about:
- Small group structures
- Data tracking systems
- Intervention supports
- Student goal setting
- Classroom organization
When testing season arrives, the goal is not simply to get a score. The goal is to create a classroom environment where students have had the opportunity to grow all year long.
Because Not All Fruit Grows at the Same Time
One of my favorite reminders as both a teacher and business owner is the phrase that inspired the Order in the Orchard tagline:
Because not all fruit grows at the same time.
Students grow at different rates.
Teachers grow at different rates.
Businesses grow at different rates.
This summer, I’m reminding myself that meaningful growth is rarely fast, but it is always worth pursuing. This year, that reminder feels especially personal. My children are growing in different directions, my students are growing at different rates, and I am stepping into a new chapter of my own teaching career. None of us are on exactly the same timeline—and that’s okay.
As I prepare for a new grade level, continue building resources, and plan for another year of helping students grow, I’m choosing to focus on progress rather than perfection.
Here’s to a summer of learning, planning, and planting seeds for the year ahead.
Disclaimer
The resources referenced in this post are independent educational materials created by Order in the Orchard. They are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NWEA®. MAP® and MAP Growth® are registered trademarks of NWEA.
