First Day!

We had a wonderful first day back today -- probably one of the smoothest I've had since I've started teaching! My group this year is amazing -- smart, hardworking, and funny! It's really awesome to see how far some of them have grown just since last year!! And our new additions fit RIGHT in. I'm SO excited about this year and hope your kids had a great first day back!!

I did take pictures today, but will post them once I get blog permission forms back. We talked a LOT today about rules, procedures, expectations... but also had some fun making About Me Puzzles and exploring the book baskets. We even did some Math.

Just a heads up -- next week we're going to need CHILD APPROPRIATE magazines to find pictures in! If you happen to have any, please send them in. It would be greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU to the parents for making today a huge success. I'm lucky to be working with you and your child this year!

New Things

Meet the Teacher was a HUGE success tonight! I was so happy to see so many familiar faces AND meet the new friends joining our class this year. Overall it seems like most of the kids can't wait to be back and that gives me such a fabulous feeling. I was telling my mom on the way home how excited I am to get back into the swing of things and put all my new ideas into place. One of the challenges of looping up with the same group is trying to make this year a little different from last year. I've been on the hunt for all kinds of new ideas.

One of the ideas I am going to try this year is a monthly Book Swap. I want my students to enjoy reading and why not share that love with their classmates? The students really get to know each other's likes/dislikes and interests throughout the year. With that knowledge, they can suggest books for their classmates to read. Maybe they read a really awesome book about hurricanes and the person who sits at their table loves weather. If they've already read the book and don't plan on reading it again, why not swap it out with another book?

My goal is for this to provide a way for a variety of books to get into the hands of my students. Also, I want my students to gain an appreciation for reading different books their classmates may recommend. PLUS, it's cheap, easy, and something fun to look forward to! (I was always that kid that asked my teacher everyday when the Scholastic Order was going to finally be delivered.)

This is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL and not required. Your child may wish to participate one month, and not the next... that's fine. At the beginning of each month, I will send home a sheet for you to start writing down the books you're child is going to swap. Please return this along with the books to school before Book Swap Day. If they bring in 3 used ones, then they take 3 "new" ones back home. Our Book Swap will take place on the last Friday of every month (except for the month of September).

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me!

First Day Back

First workday back and I feel like I've finally got most of my room ready! I hope everyone is planning on attending Open House tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to seeing all my little friends from last year AND meeting our new ones. Open House is a DROP-IN so feel free to come anytime from 4:30-6pm. Please bring school supplies if you have them -- baskets will be outside the classroom for you to sort and drop them off.

Please go ahead and have your child be thinking of their favorite book to bring to the class to share. We will try to share these the 2nd day of school. All books will be returned.

Here is a sneak peek of our room for this year... I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow!

 View when you walk in!

Part of my classroom library  

The other half of my library! Can you tell I want my students to READ, READ, READ?! 

Listening station... equipped with iPod Shuffles  

 Writing Station

 Look at all those colorful baskets!!

 Calendar and station board

New behavior chart... trying something new this year and can't wait to see how it goes!

Summer, where did you go?!

It's time to say goodbye to summer and hello school year! I'm very excited about starting a blog to keep my parents updated on what's going on in our classroom this year. How many of you ask your child what they did in school that day and their reply is, "I don't know" or "nothing." I promise you we DO work during the day!

I'm lucky enough to have most of my same students from last year, but we will have a few new faces to add into the mix. We have 26 students this year and I'm looking forward to watching them grow and learn this year!

There are a few new things I'm going to try this year including a new behavior system, a monthly Book Swap, and many other ideas! My goal is to make learning fun for my students. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns!