How can I be a better teacher in the fall?  I looked at my current classroom and did some reflecting.  It was a very challenging year to say the least.  Lots of behavior issues and kids with learning disabilities...all belonging to parents who are in complete denial.  Instead of letting it get me down, I have decided to just look to the future.  We have 17 days left of school in our district.  While it was a difficult year, my students did learn.  It is now time to prepare for the fall.  I have aligned and organized all of my files with the new CCS standards. They are ready and set to go in the fall.  I cleaned out old files of work that I did not like.  I have been asking my kindergartners what their favorite parts of the year was.  So far, they loved parent run centers and parent volunteers who came in for small group work.  In the article, Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, How Can I be  A Better Teacher in the Fall, by Dr. Richard Curwin.  He give some great suggestions for preparing for the next school year. 
1.  Be in a frame of mind to change:  You can't grow as a teacher without trying new things and getting rid of things that don't work.  Keeping the "old stuff" because you know it does not help you or the kids.
2.  Prepare a master list:  Keep a running list of things you need or want.  Prioritize and make purchases over the summer when the deals are out.  If you are lucky like me, you may even get some PTO money for reimbursement. 
3.  Student Role play:  Break the kids into groups and have them role play being the student and teacher. You will learn a lot about yourself...good and bad.

This was a great article and really makes you stop, think and reflect about the year you have had and how to make the next one better.  You can't pick your kids, but you can pick how you teach them.