Image Map

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Saturday Snapshots- First week of school CRAZY! :)

Hello bloggy friends!

I cannot believe it has been a week since I blogged last… Oh how I missed getting on here each day to give updates, share advice, and just tell people about myself! I haven't had a chance to READ any blogs!! OH THE HORROR!!

Here's what has been going on- this week has been my very first week of school as a teacher! My first day was filled with so many emotions rolled into one, I don't even know if I can write them all on here. I believe the top three things I felt were excited, overwhelmed, and exhausted. This week was a whirlwind and every day, I fell asleep on the couch at 8:30 or so EVERY DAY. I mean really… That's crazy!

Some things that caught me off guard this week:
1. I had three electric pencil sharpeners that were left in my room by the previous teacher, so on Sunday while I was there getting last minute things ready, I tried them out so I could sharpen my pencils and wouldn't you know that EVERY one of them were broken!!? Who does that!? I'm not sure why the last teacher didn't throw them away, but now I have to figure out how to get a pencil sharpener with my non-existent budget that we are given. I am hoping to get a classroom friendly one because honestly, I HATE electric sharpeners!!

2. I never realized how difficult it is to teach procedures to children

3. Class Dojo is OFFICIALLY the best invention EVER!!!

I feel so ready to dive into the curriculum this coming week, as this first week was learning all of the procedures, rules, and getting to know each other. For some reason, this part was so incredibly difficult for me and I chalk that up to the fact that I am still learning them myself! It's kind of hard to teach your students something that you are still learning yourself. However, we got through it :)

My students, oh I just love them! I have a phenomenal group and they are just so eager to learn new things, it's unbelievable. They are a nice mix of personalities and they love each other as well, which is SO important to me! We had so much fun this week learning brain breaks, doing the Sid Shuffle, and doing some team and class building exercises. I am so excited for this year!

This coming week, I will be introducing math and ELA centers. I plan to use choice boards, but I am wondering how you all introduce them to your class? I just want it to be as smooth as possible, so any advice would be wonderful (leave a comment below)! Thanks so much! :)


Since today is Saturday, I decided to share some snapshots and link up with Miss Nelson! I love this linky because I just LOVE to take photos! :) Also, did you know that if you link up today, you have a chance to win TWO awesome prizes?! Go, RUN and link up! 

Here are a few of my pictures from this past week!
All of my students have their own owl- I just LOVE how this board turned out :)

These "about me" banners were a PERFECT first day activity and then they shared them with their group using the Kagan RoundRobin structure! 

My students are amazing… Random Acts of Kindness- I guess what I am telling them is really sticking! This KWL was so phenomenal to use for them to get to know me! I used it on the second day along with a powerpoint that I created about myself. They just loved seeing pictures of me, my dogs, and my turtle!

I found this in my September issue of All You and I am SO going to do this for Halloween! I think these are adorable :)

OMGoodness- I NEED THIS. End of story. 
I hope that I qualify to do a review for them, because I want to try one of these Classroom Friendly sharpeners so badly!

Thank you all for stopping by and I hope that I have some awesome stuff to share next week. I feel as though I am slowly starting to get into a routine. But to be honest, my husband and I only have one car right now, so getting up even earlier and then having to wait until 5:30 to be picked everyday definitely wears on you! We are hoping to save some money and look for another car soon, but until then! We just need to deal with it! I'm hoping that I will be able to blog at least three times next week, that's my goal! ;) Until tomorrow bloggers! Enjoy your weekend! 


post signature

12 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a wonderful first week! You've got every right to be absolutely exhausted!!! I love your first day banner :)

    Hope
    teachingwhope.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Hope!
      My first week was wonderful! I'm still pretty tired, but everyday it's a little less! :) thank you for stopping by!
      -Lindsay

      Delete
  2. I am going to have to check out class Dojo. I keep hearing great things about it. Thanks for sharing.

    Jamie
    teachingtidbit.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Jamie!
      I hope you had the chance to check it out! It has worked so well in my class for their groups that I may use it for individual students as well. Thanks for stopping by and if you check it out, please let me know what you think! :)
      -Lindsay

      Delete
  3. Sorry it was rough. I LOVE dojo as well. It's a lifesaver. YOu will love the classroom friendly sharpener. They are the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey!
      I look atit as a learning experience! Next year, I will know what to do and what NOT to do! :) as for Class Dojo, it's so amazing! Going into week three and the students love it. I am considering using it for individual students as well as their group points. I wish I had the money to get one of the sharpeners now! I want one so badly! I hope that I can get one soon! :) Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving some love!
      -Lindsay

      Delete
  4. I found your blog through the linky and I'm so excited! This is my first full year of teaching, and first year in 3rd grade! I'm excited to learn from you! I also have a rescue pet. I adopted him from the shelter in November and he is just the sweetest thing. I ordered a sharpener yesterday and I can't wait to get it! I hope to get 100 followers soon so I can look into doing a giveaway! I just hear so many good things about them!

    We survived our first week! Cheers to US!

    LindsEy :)
    The Journey of a Beginning Teacher

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey LindsEY! ;)
      I find it so incredibly bizarre that we share the same name (spelled different), same grade level, and both first years! Crazy!! :) I'm so glad you've found me and I cannot wait to catch upon your blog as well! These past two weeks have been so hectic I haven't had time to do anything but plan pretty much! How are things in your classroom?! I'm starting to see some true personalities come out ;) I wat one of those sharpeners SOO badly! It's just not in the budget yet! Hopefully soon!
      I hope your last few weeks have been splendid! I look forward to following you :)
      CHEERS!
      -Lindsay

      Delete
  5. Glad you had a great first week...despite being exhausted. It will ease up some, I promise! I've been teaching 16 years and still feel wiped out at the end of the day the very first week of school. Your boards turned out to be adorable! I really hope you do make the pumpkins for Fall. I can't wait to see them!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Alison!
      I'm so glad you said that you get exhausted as well! I felt like such a newbie ;) As for the pumpkins- be prepared because I will TOTALLY be making those within the next few weeks (hopefully!) :) thank you for always leaving sweet and inspiring words for me :) They truly brighten my day!
      - Lindsay

      Delete
  6. Yay! You survived week one and that one is the toughest...:) Sounds like you had a great week....except for the pencil sharpener problem! Your boards are great and I love the pennant banners the students made....too cute! And I can;t wait to see those cool pumpkins! Have a fabulous second week....:)

    Blessings, Vicky
    Keep Calm and Imagine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicky,
      Thanks so much! I definitely feel better after these last two weeks. My body is adjusting and I'm tired, but not completely exhausted! Hooray! Haha! ;) I hope your first couple weeks are going wonderfully and that you aren't completely wiped out! Thanks again for the supportive and sweet words :)
      You rock!
      -Lindsay

      Delete