Today was the first day of school. Actually, teachers had to be back yesterday, but the kids started back today. Happily, the day went very well. Thank goodness I finished setting up my classroom yesterday mid afternoon after weeks and weeks of unpacking and preparing.
There were, as expected, some nerves about the first day at a new school. They didn’t really have to do with the kids or the parents though. The staff here is great; really low key and welcoming. What I had the most anxiety about was simply…how do they do “it” here. Being fairly procedure oriented at school, not knowing all the school wide procedures caused some anxiety. But the worry was for not, and all in all the day went very smoothly. I’ve got a nice little class who are really as cute as can be. A handful are goofy boys who, because they are still 6, think they are the center of my universe and want my attention all day long – not at all unusual.
The only thing that made this a terrible day was that it was about 108 degrees outside. In my opinion, that’s just too hot for school. I started my day this morning looking quite nice in a cute black dress and having a very good hair day. By recess, the good hair was piled on top of my head and the nice dress was sticking to my glistening skin. Blech! It made the first day of school very hard. Having to teach playground rules and behavior and walk to and from the classroom when it’s that hot outside makes me wish I had a cubicle in a cool office building. Sometimes I’d like to be an office person who doesn’t have to leave that cool office until they go home at the end of the day. I’d be bored out of my mind, but from August to October, at least I’d have some semblance of professionalism and not be a sticky, sweaty mess. The cubicle is also a nice thought during rainy days as well.
One day down, and only 179 more to go until the next summer break!
I really wondered how you'd configure the desks. I think it's the designed training coming out.
ReplyDeleteThat thing with the green colour scheme reminds me of an aunt who had 'strong' opinions about terry nappies. Believing that it was a sin to wrap her little madams tushy in pampers. Since she was a late starter being from NYC an'all, she punched out four in four an'a-bit. So she was up to her ears in baby shit for the better part of six years. Well you can guess what happened to the delusional notion about cloth. I think the under one flash cards went in the same bin.
Best of luck on the new school, new class and new year.
P:S, don't they put A/C into schools then. I'd have thought it was a must.
The desks will be in that configuration for a couple of weeks, but most of the year they are in groups of four to encourage discussion ang cooperative work.
DeleteCloth diapers are supposedly good for the environment, but there is no way I could use them...talk about blech!
Yes, we do have A/C, but temp is set by the district and we have no control over it. Even though it's set for about 76, bringing a class full of little sweaty bodies makes the temp jump every time we come into the room, or even open the door for that matter.
Thanks Vince!
76f is 25c. That's 'with' A/C ?.
DeleteYes, 'with'! I know right?!?! It got up to about 80 (27c?) after bringing the kids in from lunch today. Too hot for learning!
DeleteI must say that your classroom looks smashing with the lime green and blue together. They are great complimentary colors.
ReplyDeleteBut wasn't it just last week when you started to your Summer Vacation? That went fast!
No, you don't have the personality to be stuck behind a desk all day. Leave that to boring folk like me. I am well skilled at the art of doing nothing. And it took years of training to make it all happen.
m.
Thank you!. I like the colors a lot and the room is calming. My worry about it is when I do a project in colors that don't go with the scheme. They are pretty colors, but will probably clash with anything done in reds/oranges etc.
DeleteSummer break did go by so so fast!
Ha! The forecast for the week doesn't show any let up in the high temps...I my be in touch for some office tips. :)
Your classroom looks great! I use cloth diapers for everything but diapers. They are great at absorbing spills--imagine that!
ReplyDeleteHa! That's a good idea.
DeleteAwesome classroom!! How crazy to have school when it is 108! Tell me you have air conditioning in your room!?! We don't have air conditioning and I've barely survived some 100+ days. I agree that it's too hot for school!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, you don't have air? That's terrible. We technically have air. About 9 years ago they took away our control of it, and the temp is now set at the district office. The office where everyone sits in a chair in their nice cool cubicle. :) I really don't mind starting in August because I do like the longer breaks throughout the year, but there is some logic to waiting until fall to start when it's cooler. We've still got 2-3 months of this heat...ugh!
DeleteI love your classroom! I think the colors are great. Did you make the centerpieces. Those families will be so glad to have you!
ReplyDeleteI remember teaching about the first day of Fall and it was 103! Yuck! 108 is unbearable even for me!
I wish you so much happiness at that school!
Thanks Jilly!
DeleteThings have been great! Jason and I keep walking around saying, "it's so dreamy here." No drama!
I did make those silly pom poms. Pinterest is to thank. They took freaking forever, but they're so cute! :)
I'm glad that you had a good first day. Trust me. The cubicle gets old.
ReplyDeleteSome mornings I get up thinking, "I have to do this for 30 more years!" But every day is different which limits the monotony.
DeleteI can't help but feel 10 years should be enough in a State school system like yours. You are expected to treat problems that are societal not educational.
DeleteThe nuns never had to deal with the system fighting against you rubbish when they were performing their educational 'vocation'. But that's exactly what the system expects of you. A dedication that's 24/7 and to very little else.
Answer me this, where do you think you'll fit a man into your current scheduled, never mind a few kids. Have you really got that much time. Or are you getting paid enough to get the snot wiped by professionals or even that 'he' stays home.
Did my mom tell you to ask that?!?! Rather tough questions at 5:30 in the morning (and on the WWW). ;)
DeleteGood questions, but the answers are probably moot at this point anyways.
Hmm I didn't mean you to take it personally. Well I did. Only not that near the bone.
DeleteMy point is a general one. Take it this way. 30/40 years ago a teacher could bread and butter a wife and 3/4 kids. He could send them to university. Not necessarily a very good one. But a useful one.
They would not be seen as poor.
Now, the income going into a home has to be twice or more to get even close to that level of lifestyle.
Frankly Alaska is your only answer :-D. All them oil dividends paying for top class education all over the US. AND they are really short of educators up there, heck you might even see Russia.
Not offended in the least...just too early for deep thought.
DeleteAt least Alaska would be cooler than it is here. :)
Tomorrow is my first day with kids...one building of the school was remodeled and it was mass chaos with all the construction workers trying to wrap up the landscaping and painting for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGlad your new school is working out...I hope you have a great year!
Pencil boxes....I am using the same ones I bought when my son went into second grade...I bought 20 for his class too....they were 19 cents...and only one has broken in all these years. My son is in his 3rd year of college! So green and blue is my color scheme!
About 8 or 9 years ago I bought some pencil boxes from Walmart that were great. The tops were really sturdy and they lasted a long time. A couple of them started to fall apart a few years ago so I sent them home with the kids at the end of the year. Since then, Walmart hasn't carried the same ones. The new ones barely last the year without cracking or falling apart therefore needing to buy new ones each year. I'm sure that is on purpose too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow! I can't wait to hear how 1st grade goes for you. :)