Here We Go...

I thought I'd do two updates in one day since I don't know how busy I'll be this first week back.  I'm struggling a little with scheduling but I feel like that's typical for the first day/week/month/semester.  I was proud of how I trained my babies to write in their planners today...not that it was their neatest handwriting but at least they did it!  I was a mean teacher and made some of them re-write it on the correct date (insert evil teacher laugh).  No, I really wasn't that stern...come to think of it...I hope I'm being stern enough!  I think that its hard to figure out how much less sarcastic and more strict I need to be with the third graders.

Today (my second full day) was loaded with lots of ups and downs.  The good things were that the kids were pretty quiet this morning.  I also love how organized the school seems and the consistency of the procedures.  I think that having only grades 3-5 in one school makes a big difference in management.  I also loved their smiling faces.  The downs were the blank stares I got during my first real reading lesson, the talkers I had to punish, and my lack of really good teaching so far. I just need to find my groove and get my pacing guide done!  Hopefully those will go hand in hand...I need to have a plan laid out so I can work for the end result.  I'm still struggling to learn the Daily 5 routine...it's something that you build on, but I'm so impatient that I just want to start it right away!  Here are some pics of ideas of I have had (and will hopefully maintain) for management and reading:

 This is my favorite thing I've made!  It finally gives kids a place to put notes and planners instead of in my face or scattered on my desk!

 I really want to reward good grades separately from behavior this year so they can see their progress...hopefully it won't get too competitive but the real world is all about competition so it can't be that bad.

 I turned my Literature Circle Chart (from the Really Good Stuff catalog) into a Harry Potter themed group tracker for my 6 Reading Groups (3 for each homeroom I teach).  Don't worry, I didn't make anyone Slytherin!  Just Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs...I really wish I could read Harry Potter to my class but I better ask permission first...

 I'm going to try and make the kids put the books they are reading and their reading folders (pictures to come) in a big 2 gallon book bag each day to store...crossing my fingers that this routine doesn't become too annoying.

 Mrs. Weaver's favorite books!  I'm more proud of the book stand I've been wanting for 5 years...found it on Really Good Stuff.

 I've organized my library a zillion times but this time I just decided to remember KISS (keep it simple stupid)...not for the kids but for myself!  I just wrote on the labels and did simple genres.  Luckily, I've gotten rid of some of the less popular books.

 My class library :) now I just need to get the kids to choose books that aren't too hard for them...that is something I struggle with every year.  I hate being the "bubble buster" but if a child doesn't read something on their level, they will never improve.

My "Focus Wall"...I hadn't heard that fancy term until I read other teachers' blogs...there's not much to focus on yet...I haven't even posted my schedules!!  I better get back to work but I do have a secret...I left work before 4 today...maybe trying so hard to be organized (it doesn't come naturally to me) is finally paying off or I just misplaced my to do list!

First Day Jitters

The first 2 hour day was quite a whirlwind!  I met a lot of parents and family members at Open House then more on the first day...I kept wishing for a photographic memory so I could remember everyone.  I was a little shocked by how little and young third graders are...they are definitely cute but not quite trained yet.  I was feeling a little overwhelmed Friday, hence the bowling and margarita night that followed ;)  It doesn't matter how long you prepare, as a teacher there is always apprehension and stress around every corner.  Surprisingly, all stress isn't bad!  I know I sound crazy but the pressure to do your best and help the kids learn is good stress.  I don't think my stomach knows the difference, but my heart does!  Okay...enough soul searching...time for some pics!

The sweet welcome sign my teacher bestie got me to put in my new classroom.

My shiny pencils for the treat bags...I found it odd that one of them would NOT sharpen...I hope I don't get that feeling with any of my students!

My uneven but very time consuming owl treat bags...I spent like 2 hours on these...can we say obsessed? I got the idea from pinterest but I used sticky foam for the eyes and noses which was way easier than cutting and taping paper!

The finished products look a little better...the yellow tag says "Look Whooo's in Mrs. Weaver's Room!"

Pinterest project...boy and girl hand gels to put on their desks when they go to the b-room.

My Daily 5/CAFE corner...now I just need to figure out exactly how to teach the strategies...bah!

Last view of my classroom before students arrived ;)

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it's off to work we go...

So, it's off to work I (and many other teachers around the world) go!  The real question is, am I Snow White or a dwarf?  Possibly both...I like to eat apples and take naps, but I feel like I'm working in a cave during the first week of school plus I'm short!  That being said, I really do love having summers off because the first few weeks feel like a marathon.  All in all, this profession fits my personality because I like to be a little extreme. My house is extremely messy or extremely neat...I'm either full of energy or zapped completely...so having long weeks but frequent breaks works well for me ;)

Anyways, my thoughts after our first day...overwhelmed!  Being new to 3rd grade is a little mind blowing...but in a good way...so many people are helping me out, but everyone does things a different way.  I guess that's what I like about teaching...everyone has their own style!  I'm not quite sure what mine is, but I'd like to say that it is to prepare the best you can, try to work smarter not harder, and roll with the punches as the year goes on.  This week will be our first full week only 1 1/2 days with kids though...thank goodness for inservice!  Even though I worked on my classroom early, I have a mountain of paperwork waiting for me.  But, inservice means having an hour lunch!  Woot!

Back to business...things I have left to do before the kids come:  make Friday folders, hang up more lanterns, make reading folders, finish class handbook, label cubbies, finish pacing guide, label books, make vocabulary games, make copies for first week, do lesson plans for first week, make book bags, write events on the calendar, try to sell my bus duty (worst thing about teaching!), start reading for EDS classes, figure out computer lab schedule, finalize class schedule, post class schedule on website, go through procedures, prep for parent night, online training, common core training, and plan"get to know you" first day activities!

My tips for the week: 
 1.) Try to buy display furniture and electronics.  They have to give you at least 10% off- just got my office fridge @ Walmart!
2.) Check out www.teacherfilebox.com.  It is an awesome website from Evan Moore Publishers that has almost all of their workbooks online!  You can pay $12 for a month subscription and obsessively download and print things until it runs out (like me).  The weekly review books are the best...I have printed off daily comprehension, daily editing, daily language, daily math, and daily word problems.  The print version of these books would have been over $25 each!
3.)  Check out www.lauracandler.com. She is a cool lady who does awesome printables for reading and math as well as management.
4.)  Take some time to enjoy the last week of the Olympics even if it means having to down an extra cup coffee in the morning (or Diet Coke if you're like me).  I've been sad by amount of people who don't watch...it is so cool!  So many countries, so many sports!  But, don't worry...you can always multi-task by reading my blog or checking out the websites I mentioned while watching!