HAPPY SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Happy Joy Joy!
SLEEP!!!! That’s what I did to kick off the weekend.
This pic was taken on Monday in my teammate’s classroom. It was the day before school started and it was a teacher prep day.
BJ’s provided pizza, pasta, and salad for our lunch that day and then later that afternoon, our principal went from classroom to classroom pulling an ice chest on a cart, delivering ice cream drumsticks!
I’m telling you, the day before school starts can be so stressful, but lunch from BJ’s and ice cream drumsticks can sure make it bearable!
I whipped up this sign for my kids to hold while I took their first day of school pictures. I kept it simple this year. And I made extras for parents who wanted to use them as the kids settled in on day one.
For the first time ever, I just relaxed and a had a really low key day with my new first graders. Most often, I’m trying to cram all the new rules and routines and this is how we this and this is how we that into their little heads that I can’t stand myself by lunch time.
So for the first time ever, I just took it easy. We read a ton of books, talked about gold tags (in a simple all you have to do is make good choices and I will give you one kind of way) sang songs, danced, and made a craft.
When I asked if they would all come back the next day, they all said they would. 😉
My class is sweet, sweet, sweet!!!! And our kinder teachers did an AMAZING job because they just get it.
And here’s how I know my class is sweet.
Teammate 1: a student wouldn’t follow the directions of wait on the playground before school starts and, instead, followed her to the teacher’s lounge where he said he wanted to hold the door open for her.
Hmmm. A gentleman or a stinker?
Teammate 2: a student poured her entire water bottle into her pencil box so that she wouldn’t have to work. Picture floating crayons, pencils, scissors, glue, and gold tags . . .
Hmmm. A thinker or a stinker?
Teammate 3: a student wouldn’t come in the classroom after lunch and, instead, sat in the shade of a tree by her classroom. When she told him to please come inside, he said, “I QUIT.”
Hmmm. I think we have all wanted to say that at one time or another . . .
But I have not had any of that! So that’s how I know. You generally know on day one, don’t you think?
Our Parent Information Night was the third day of school (nothing like extra stress the first week) and my teammates and I kept this simple, too.
I always do some sort of a treat for the parents as a thank you for attending, but it usually involves me buying cellophane treat bags, putting things into it, tying a ribbon, etc. This was WAY easier. I used hot glue to adhere the label.
I had some extra bags of popcorn left over so when I got home from Parent Info Night, I had wine and popcorn for dinner. Which is one of my favorite kinds of dinner.
I had sign ups for volunteers at Parent Info Night and I plan on using these fun bags for the parents who can’t help in the classroom, but want to help at home.
My teammate came up with this idea and I ran with it. I “designed” the bags on Vista Print and used Command Hooks to hang them on the back of my desk. As you can see, the back of my desk is not super pretty and I’d like to fix it somehow and/or buy a brand new white desk, but whatever. It’s the back of the desk. It will live. I will live.
I have a Homework Helper, Book Doctor, and two Help at Home bags. My teammate already put a pencil box inside each one with tape, scissors, stapler, staples, paper clips, etc. I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I plan on it! 🙂
We are dying where I live.
We even had to miss recess the last couple of days. Which is really sad for first graders when you’re trying to get them into the routine of we stay all day, but we get lots of recesses—it will be fun, don’t worry!
We started Go Noodle RIGHT AWAY.
Because it’s so hot, and because I made it to the weekend, and because I just finished the first week of school, I am giving myself the day off.
I have a ton of shows to catch up on and I plan on staying inside, in pajamas, doing NOTHING.
If you knock on my door, I’m not answering. Just saying.
🙂
Those bags are GENIUS!! Glad you survived your first week and SUPER glad you have sweet first graders!!! <3 HUGS!
You must live near me….our forecast is 106 here, but thankfully we haven't started school yet since our ac units are older than dirt. Love that your year started off so smoothly! Wishing you a fabulous year!
Melissa
http://www.theglitterclip.blogspot.com
You must live near me….our forecast is 106 here, but thankfully we haven't started school yet since our ac units are older than dirt. Love that your year started off so smoothly! Wishing you a fabulous year!
Melissa
http://www.theglitterclip.blogspot.com
I LOVE the bags!! The book doctor is my favorite. I have lots of well loved books that could use some help!! Plus this kids will now have a place to put it when it is "sick"!
I LOVE the bags!! The book doctor is my favorite. I have lots of well loved books that could use some help!! Plus this kids will now have a place to put it when it is "sick"!
We don't start for a bit but I am dreading 90 degree days with no AC…sigh….(I hope it gets cooler quick!)
Love the bags too! What does the Homework Helper do?
It was 117 degrees for us yesterday…yes, we melted
I can't imagine having BTS night during the first week, WOW! Glad you are doing the sensible thing and having a pajama day today. Have a great second week. I LOVE your blog.
Katie
Mrs. Byrd's Learning Tree
Yay! Nothing like discovering you've got a good class!! 🙂
Boo on the temps, though. Let's hope it cools down for you next week. We've had a cool August here in Maryland – like, mid 80's when it's usually 90's – and I just know that all that heat is being saved up for the first week of school . . . . 🙁
Enjoy your weekend!
🙂 Amanda
http://secondgradesuccess.blogspot.com/
I think relaxed is wonderful for the teachers and the students!
Looove the pop corn idea!!! Simple and sweet! First week was a success for you!! Yay! 🙂
Magically in First
Always enjoy your posts. How about decorative contact paper for the back of your desk?
Love love love your First Day of School Sign …. is it in your shop at TPT? If not, is there a way to get a copy so I can change date/name? So cute! My Firsties come this Thursday! ;0)
Tanya
maddent@usd367.org
It was a crazy week… we also started on Tuesday, BTSN on Thursday night, and lost my voice by Friday… AND didn't get out of my PJs until 4pm today when I needed to go to the grocery store. Very cute idea about the home bags! Glad you have a sweet class.
Love this, love you and congrats for making it through the first week! Wine and popcorn for everyone!
Yes…wine and popcorn. It is a staple in my husbands and my relationship. And I am jealous of your 100ish weather…117 the other day here.
Debbie's idea of contact paper is good, or you could just take a brown sharpie marker and "fill in" the light spots (that's what I do with dings in my flooring at home, and it's totally invisible. Wish us luck in Nor Cal; it's hot here, too.