First Day review

Okay, so honestly speaking, my first day was a little rough.  I thought I had enough plans for procedures and routines, but found out very quickly I was wrong.  Good thing only half the class came today... I can do better with it tomorrow.  You should see my before and after lesson plans for the first day... I really should retype them now because I wrote notes all over them as I reflected on each part of the day.  I'll put them in a file and save it for next year.  :)

I've heard from a few kindergarten teachers that you just have to make it through the first six weeks, because those are the toughest.  If you can conquer them, then you'll be just fine.  

Meanwhile, I feel so blessed to have an amazing network of teacher friends ranging from first years that I graduated with, the teachers from where I student taught (my cooperating teacher and I have become really good friends and I'm soooo thankful to have her... It was very weird teaching without her there today though!).  The teachers and assistants (and janitor!) on my hallway at my current school are also incredibly amazing, constantly encouraging me, genuinely wanting to know how I'm doing, bringing me all kinds of kindergarten materials, helping plan lessons, and sharing ideas.  It's not often that I feel like I truly BELONG somewhere, but I really do feel like I belong at my school, and that means more to me than words can say.

I'll leave you with a little anecdote my TA posted on facebook earlier this evening... It's always good to remember the positives (and cute moments of each day!)-----

"Today after lunch our kids had rest time. Our counselor came in to introduce herself and talk some about what her job was as a counselor. When she finished talking one of our little boys asked, "can we go back to bed now?" I had to share...made us smile. Gotta love Kindergarten :)"

First Day of School!

Yesterday we had Meet the Teacher, and I got to meet my precious kinders and their parents. 2 and a half hours went by in a flash!

So that means today is the first day of school!! Just thought I'd share this link... because I am feeling about how Nemo feels today :)

First Day of School-Finding Nemo

Pictures of my classroom...FINALLY!

Library

Another library view... love that cute little monkey!  I need to finish labeling my baskets.

My teacher shelf area in lieu of a desk.

Circle Time area

Math center and front of the room.  Love those 10 frames!

Owl themed calendar!   Months and yesterdaytoday/tomorrow labels from http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Owl-Theme-Calendar-Set 

Cubbies and word wall area.  Writing center also.

Our welcome sign.

Thank you Pinterest!  I adapted this idea from http://primarypalette.blogspot.com/2010/08/back-to-school-classroom-decorations.html

Also, in case you couldn't tell by now.. I obviously changed my idea on what theme to go with.  I feel like you need to have a bold and vibrant personality to have a jungle theme.  I'm more quiet and reserved, so I think owls are perfect for my style... I might be a little obsessed at this point :)

This is where my schedule and class list will hang in the hallway.  I also made a QR code (again, thank you Pinterest)  with my contact info for Meet the Teacher.  Idea from: http://mrsmanalli.blogspot.com/search/label/parent%20contact

My professional library shelf, a mail sorter I got at a yard sale for $3 (I'm proud of that buy!) and my assistants desk.  Closet in the background.

Back of the room... art center, bulletin board for displaying student work.  I'm thinking of titling the board something like "App-solutely Awesome Work" with Appalachian logos for the As... Yeah, I'm proud of my alma mater :)

Kitchen center with sand/bean table behind it.

Another classroom library view

View from my assistant's desk.  You can see my small group table and teacher shelf behind it. 

Clip chart.  "Keeping the Promise" refers to our school's promise... "we are a family of learners.  We respect and care about each other.  This is who we are, even when no one is watching."

View from the backdoor of the room.  

Block center.  Love that carpet.  Thanks TJ Maxx!

This will be my lunch choice board.  I made those magnets!  Thank you Pinterest. 

Another Pinterest project: Sight word chants. Idea from  http://littlekinderwarriors.blogspot.com/2012/06/sight-word-chants-freebie.html#comment-form  and http://growingkinders.blogspot.com/2011/06/sight-words-and-chants.html

Closer view of the Sight Word Chants sticks.  Idea from  http://littlekinderwarriors.blogspot.com/2012/06/sight-word-chants-freebie.html#comment-form  and http://growingkinders.blogspot.com/2011/06/sight-words-and-chants.html

View of classroom from calendar area.  

Postcards I'm sending to my kiddos :)

After working on it for a month and a half, my classroom finally looks almost exactly the way I want it to!!  Yay!  Today was our first official teacher work day... I worked from 7:40 til 5:30 this afternoon, brought work home and finished up around 8.  It's been a lonnnnng day but I was so excited that I had to post pictures and blog about it :)

Tomorrow the entire staff will work, and I'll finally get to meet my assistant face to face!  I've heard so many great things about her, and I'm positive we're going to make a great team!

Wednesday is Meet the Teacher Day... I talked to most of the parents on the phone today to let them know which day their sweet kiddos start school (we stagger enrollment in my county: half the kinders come one day, then the other half comes the next and the first half stays home).

And then of course, the big day is Thursday!  Ahh!  I can't believe this moment I've waited for for so many years is about to arrive!

It's not looking like I'm going to be an avid blogger...

...and I'm okay with that!  I'll update as I have time, but I just haven't had much time lately.

I've been busy busy busy with cleaning and organizing (and re-organizing) my classroom.  I finally feel like it's almost how I want it :)  Pictures are coming soon.  My owl theme is super cute!

I've spent these last 3 days in new teacher orientation and felt like I really learned a lot and it was worthwhile!  Tomorrow, I get to sit in a county meeting and listen to people talk all day about policies, benefits, and the like.  That may not be quite as interesting, but I get a trade day for it so it's all good!

Friday, the kindergarten team is having professional development to use iPads (eeek! I'm so excited!)

Teacher workdays start Monday, and school starts a week from tomorrow.  I got my class list today...22 kinders... it's going to be a fun year :)

I'm off to continue working on my "Welcome to Kindergarten" packet!