First Week of School

I had a very busy, great first week back to school! I love my second grade class! They are a wonderful bunch of kids and I feel lucky to be their teacher. We learned a lot of rules and continually went over school rules and class rules, We had fun meeting new friends, doing Read to Self and starting Buddy Reading on Friday, taking brain breaks with Go Noodle, playing at recess, and going to specials.

This is from the first day of school. I had my ki

ds all hold up this sign while I took pictures of them. At the end of the day I gave them these goldfish as a special treat.

Here my kids are finding new friends in our class and doing cooperative learning activities.

Here are my kids dancing to a Koo Koo Kangaroo video on Go Noodle. Those guys are hilarious! They will brighten anyone’s mood while getting some energy out.

Here was some morning work we did one day. I displayed in our class so we could read and learn more about each other.

   
Here is our schedule for the day:

7:50-8:35 Planning

8:35-8:45 Announcements

8:45-9;00 Morning Work

9:00-9:45 Specials

9:45-10:15 Whole Group Reading

10:15-11:15 Small Group Reading

11:15-11:45 Writing

11:45-12:15 Enrichment

12:21-1:00 Lunch/Recess

1:00-1:30 Whole Group Math *

1:30-2:00 Small Group Math

2:00-2:30 Science

2:30-3:00 Social Studies

Wednesday Math: 1:00-2:00 Early Dismissal Day

I’m getting used to having specials so early in the morning and lunch so late in the day but we are making the schedule work.

Now I’m getting ready for next week our second week in school! We start curriculum in all subjects and I need to start DRA testing my kids. It will be another great week getting to know my students and teaching second grade.

Classroom Tour 2015

This is probably my favorite time of to be a blogger! I LOVE seeing everyone’s classroom, gathering ideas, and the fresh new feel of the beginning of the school year. I relish in seeing how creative teachers turn a classroom into a beautiful, welcoming environment for learning.

Here is my 2015-2016 2^nd grade classroom:

This is the before picture. I had my work cut out for me this year since I moved classrooms.

I have moved up stairs to second grade! This is my second grade hallway and what I see every morning. I love the message it sends to the students.

This is what you se when entering the room. It is kind of a little hallway before you can see the whole room. My decor is from SchoolGirl Style Frog collection- I just took out the frogs and made it look more like the Paisley Blue collection. Other decor is either from Really Good Stuff or various blogs.

This is a view from the room once you enter.

This is the view when you turn right. From here you can see the word wall, cubbies, book boxes (dark blue bins in left cubbies), writing, word work, (next to the writing table in blue bins), and math games (green bins in the far right cubbies.

This is the view if you turn left. My guided reading table, materials, and computers.

This view is also to the left but in the center of my room, the classroom library.

This is my desk area and calendar area at the front of the room. I had no choice but to keep the desk and it had to go here because of plugs for the phone and computer.

This is a view of the front left part of the room.

This is a view of back of the room from the front.

Well that’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed the tour of my 2^nd grade classroom.

I am back to school ready! I got a haircut, laid out my clothes for tomorrow, and rested up this weekend. I’m ready for my first day of second grade tomorrow! 

Meet the Teacher

I just had my Meet the Teacher day this past Thursday. It is a whole day for our school! We start with Kinder-1st from 9-10 a.m. 2nd-3rd from 11-12 p.m.,4^th-5^th from 1-2 p.m., and then every one can come from 5-6 p.m. The purpose of Meet the Teacher is to bring your supplies, visit your classroom, meet your teacher, and please tell me how you are going home the first day! Around the school they can buy uniforms, sign up for clubs and afterschool, and learn about the bus schedule. In between Meet the Teacher times, I put away supplies and get stuff ready for the first week.

Come meet me! Your 2nd grade teacher! 

We make phone calls two days before to invite parents and students to our classrooms. On the phone call, I tell the parents I’m their students’ teacher and tell them the times to come to Meet the Teacher. Usually I get a voicemail but sometimes I’ll get the parents. This year when I called, two of my students’ parents were extremely excited and said their child had been hoping to get me all summer! That was nice to hear!

A little background information-I’m now teaching second grade and last year I taught first grade. So I know many of the students from enrichment, recess, and just being in the hallway with them. I did not get any of my same students but I still knew about half of my kids by name when they came to the room.

The room is ready! 

Back to Meet the Teacher: I have been using these super helpful signs from Reagan Tunstall for a few years and they make this event flow smoothly. Parents know what to do if I’m busy in a conversation with someone else at the moment. I make it a point to try and greet everyone when they come in and let them know the general information I need from them. The students during this time can sort supplies, find their desk, and wander around our new room. 

  Station 1: Find your folder on your desk and start filling out information! 

 Station 2: Sort all your supplies! 

 

Station 3: Fill out how your child will be going home the first day of school, take car tags or walker tags, sign up for school committees, and grab a wish list item.

I had all 16 of my families come to Meet the Teacher this year! I’m so excited I got to meet all of them. One of my sweeties even brought me a gift! How thoughtful! I know it is going to be a great year in 2nd grade! 

August Already

Wow after a couple of months I’m back and ready for a new school season! In June I went to Hawaii, visited with family, celebrated my 2^nd anniversary, and my birthday. July was full of new surprises, summer celebrations with friends, and relaxing days at the beach and pool.

Now we are already arriving at August! For all teachers we know this means BACK TO SCHOOL! Which is an exciting and overwhelming time. So here is what I am currently up to: 

Right now I’m listening to Lollapalooza live streaming, which is a music festival in Chicago. It’s awesome to hear new bands and old favorites.

I LOVE my family always not just currently but maybe especially right now. My adorable nephew just turned one this past week. I can’t believe how much he has grown this past year. He is a wonderful baby who brings so much joy to our family. My parents are also making a big move to Florida from Georgia! I am thrilled to have my parents so close.

I am thinking all about going back to school. I’m trying to prepare as much as possible at home before I can go into school.

Speaking of school, I really want to get into my classroom! I’m not allowed to go in until August 10^th. Then August 13^th I leave for a family reunion so I won’t be able to work in my room that Thursday or Friday. August 17^th starts pre-planning craziness….full of meetings and limited classroom time. August 24^th is that last day of school. I moved rooms this year so I’m feeling a bit stressed I won’t get it all done in time for Meet the Teacher on August 20^th. I moved upstairs to the second grade hallway!!

I really need my printer to cooperate and stop telling me the ink in empty when I just put a new ink cartridge in the printer. SO frustrating! I really need the printer to continue doing its job so I can get back to preparing! My husband is going to look at it today.  It is also extremely important this printer works since the school district took away our printers in our classrooms this year. I’m not sure how I’ll live without a printer in my room but we shall see.

When I see my new second grade teammates for pre-planning, I will be giving them little goodies. I usually get magnetic paper pads like the ones at Target dollar spot. I also try to write an encouraging e-mail some time during pre-planning or the first week of school to let them know they are doing a great job. Just a little note can go a long way in making someone’s day.

I’ll be posting more now that the school year is approaching. I can’t wait to show you my new room!