In the swing of things

Hey all! I love reading everyones updates. Good idea for starting this!

Today marked one full week of being in school, and it was the first 'fantastic' day. I feel like we have routines down, procedures are known, we are really into academics, and managing to balance fun with learning. It is amazing how much more energized I am when I get to laugh with the kids instead of discipline them. It makes such a difference.

I really love 5th grade. The kids are able to be such independent learners and able to form a cohesive community. I'm happy:)

Last night was parent open house. I'd only had the kids 4 days and I got to chat with all the parents about curriculum, behavior, etc. It was really nice to make those connections. I have 21 students, and 16 of them had parent(s) attend open house.

I am in love with the staff at my school. The two other first year teachers are incredible. I feel like we've been friends forever- call and text on the weekends now and go out together. Everyone is just fantastic.

I hope this isn't just the honeymoon period...

Welcome to private school!

We started school on Thursday and my first graders are ADORABLE! I am definitely not used to this whole parent involvement thing, though. On the first day of first grade my kids showed me that they can write in full sentences, capitalize the correct letters, and write more legibly than I have ever seen a 6yr old write. I don't know what I have left to teach them! They all definitely have that private school mentality - one of my kids (whose father actually graduated from vandy) told me on the first day, "I'm really smart... I'm probably the second or third best in the class" and another one told me this morning about his spelling words, "why do I have to practice? I've known these words since I was three..." WOW. So not Davidson County.

It turns out that my lead teacher is pregnant and due at the beginning of February, so I am taking over when she goes on maternity leave. Definitely not what I had expected for the year, but very exciting! I am working with some wonderful people and there are a lot of new, just graduated faculty this year because they expanded the school, which makes the transition that much easier.

I am also coaching the JV volleyball team for the upper school. I have 12 8,9, and 10th graders on my team. Its amazing that I still feel just as awkward around a bunch of high schoolers as I did when I was in high school! But I'm getting used to them and we won our first games yesterday, so the season is getting off to a great start!


So all in all the year is getting off to a good start. We had a real tornado "drill" (thats what we told the kids) today as the hurricane blew through Atlanta so that added a little excitement to the day! I hope everyone is enjoying their classes and I can't wait to hear more!

math games

I need some math games for 2nd grade -- particularly working on patterns, comparing numbers, or telling time. Help! Hope yall are doin well!

First Days

Ok, I think we've all started by now...and we already heard about Ashley's first day (have things gotten better?) I want to hear stories from everyone else (funny or frustrating!)

First Day

To all of you who have already conquered the first day of school--

any advice?! school starts Thursday for me, and I am quite nervous!

It's Gonna Be Rough...

Aw, Ashley, you poor thing! Sounds like you have a pretty hard first day. I'm pretty sure mine won't be much easier...I'm getting nervous...school starts Monday! Call if you need a listening ear!

So, does everyone wanna hear something that'll make you sick? 75% of the students' grade in reading is solely based on how they do on FCAT practice tests (the FL-wide standardized test) since the school is on watch for not making AYP. That's all this school talks about is making AYP, which makes sense since they're on watch, but still...I'm pretty sure all I'll be doing is testing =(

read it!

http://www.newteachercenter.org/article2.php

Can you please find my mind for me? I've lost it.

Today was the first full day of school, and I survived, though I'm not sure I'm still in one piece. After spending the first hour plus trying to wrangle in the wild animals while checking paperwork, I wanted to go home. Too bad it was only 10 o'clock. I was then supposed to issue lockers. Too bad nobody gave me the combinations. I'm supposed to take computerized attendance every period. Too bad I can't get on my computer. This list could go on...well, forever.

If I'm trying to look on the bright side of things: we did a really cool project helping them practice the scientific method, and I learned most of the kids' names. Also, the other teachers warned me about one specific kid, and I was able to reel him in pretty quickly. We'll see how long that lasts....

I hope that everyone else's years start off a little bit smoother! If you're ever just about to cry because it's so overwhelming--give me a call. I'm there, too.

a little inspiration :)

Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it. -- Harold Hulbert

All children can and will learn, although not on the same day or in the same way.

Training

School starts in less than 2 weeks! I started setting up my classroom last week and have been working on it this week as well. Two of the other fifth grade teachers met me on Tuesday afternoon to walk me through some of the curriculum. Wednesday and Thursday were all day new teacher training district-wide. In a district of 20 elementary/jr high schools, there are only 8 new teachers for grades 3-6! It is ridiculous~! I am overwhelmed with all the 'stuff' that needs to be done.. I haven't even started lesson planning. Yikes. There are 2 other first year teachers at my school (1st grade) and I'm glad to have that support network for sure. How is everyone else holding up?

The Important Book

This summer, the director of my preschool (not the one I attended...the one I taught at) told us about a great book. It's called The Important Book written by Margaret Wise Brown. It talks about somewhat random things (i.e. a shoe or the rain) and explains all of the things it does--but then the ONE REASON it's really important. Our director suggested making your own book with this. You can learn about the kids (from what they write about), encourage them to think in a new way (name JUST ONE reason it's most important), and keep the finished product to show (bind it into a book). Then, you can talk about what's really going to be important in your classroom--lead a class discussion about this (and even make a "class page" to go at the end).

I think I'm going to try to use this as a first day activity for them to work on while I give out textbooks, etc. Do y'all think the 6th graders will think this writing and drawing is too juvenile?

Yay!

So, I'm happy to report that I am officially employed. I will be working at a school called Bronson Elementary in 5th grade. I think I'll be the reading teacher, but I'm not sure haha. I'll know more after Friday (orientation) and all next week is prep, with kids coming the 18th. When does everyone else start?

First Day

I know the first day is fast approaching and I am so excited to hear all of yalls stories! Can we just videotape everything and send it around? Great. Tell me how yall are doing!