Amazingly, January comes every year. "Oh my, the year went so fast. I can't believe it is 2004 already." We start signing checks with a new number and may even write a long list of resolutions to accomplish that should wipe out all the faults we've practiced over the past 365 days. I admit it! I tend to make unrealistic resolutions every January and abandon most of them by Valentines Day. For example: item # 11- Organize seventeen years worth of photos into clever scrapbooks complete with captions and family history for my four children and wonderful husband. This year is going to be different, I promise. I am planning from end to beginning.

In the Tempe Elementary School District, teachers at Scales School (where I work part-time as the Library Media Specialist) are learning about a design process called "Backward Design". It calls for three stages of planning. Teachers use it to plan their lessons and increase student achievement. But it works for whatever you want to do.

Backward Design

• Stage 1: Identify Desired Results. State clearly what will be learned, not merely what is to be studied. What will the learner take away at the end of the process?
• Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence. Define what evidence will show that the learner understands what he/she was to learn?
• Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction. Design meaningful learning experiences to make the learner's understanding engaging and effective.

Rachel's writing goal, 2004

• Stage 1: (What is my desired result?). I will produce at least five unedited pages of work each week.
• Stage 2: (What is the physical proof of my effort?). My work will consist of hand written morning pages, handwritten outlines, computer files, and printed pages.
• Stage 3: (What will I do to keep myself motivated and actively learning?). I will attend at least one writer's function a month: Southeast Scribes chapter meeting or Daytimer's meeting if I have a time conflict. I will critique with the "ANWA" on-line group at least once a month. Read The Weekend Novelist by the end of January.

Steven Covey talks about goal setting in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. "To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means that you know where you are going so that you better understand where you are now so that the steps you take are always in the right direction."

May you share your voice with others through your writing during 2004. Set one clear and realistic goal from end to beginning for yourself today.

Good Luck!

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