Here's a quick recap of our last two days together.

We learned about each other, worked with our names, had some jitter juice, and wrote what we worried about after reading Chrysanthemum.

Here are a few pics.

Yes, we painted!  I had a teacher who couldn't believe we did so soon into the year, but hey why not?

Our Special Person was Ryleigh.

And just to share some cuteness I had to take a picture of our pup Ellie wearing a lion hat.

Have a great 3 day weekend.  See you Tuesday!!

A PERFECT Day on the First Day of School

Yes, I said it.  Today was the first day of school and it was PERFECT!

Many were nervous but they were so willing to work and stayed on task.  I thought I'd hear the sounds of grumbling when I asked them to write but that just wasn't the case.  I didn't even have one student ask how to spell a word...at least not yet.

It was simply amazing.  It reminded me of that moment when you finally are midway through the year and realize the room is hushed, kids are settled, everyone is working, and you're actually sitting at your desk for a moment.  Pure bliss!!  I know this is just that first day of school and it could all drastically change next week but I'm going to savor the moment.  I'm still awake and typing a blog post.

Here are first day pics.

So I was lucky enough to go to a Lester Laminack workshop.  Let me tell you, he didn't disappoint and every teacher should go listen to him speak.    He was right on with so many points and all the reasons why I went into this profession.

Here are some Lesterisms I plan on living by this year!

"Childhood is not a preparation for anything; you only get one and teachers must protect it."

"Use striving learners as opposed to struggling learners."

"Stop and ask yourself what it is that the least of them need to be the best of themselves."

"If you are teaching anything for the RIGHT answer then you are teaching WRONG."

"We are in the business of raising HUMANS not SCORES."

And last but not least he asked us why we had kids raise their hands. Of course the answers revolved around having order, structure, making sure kids were taking turns, not having kids talking over others, or having that one that is the only one to answer.

We don't raise our hands when conversing and if someone is we know to use our manners and wait our turn.  He left us with trying to see if we could have a classroom where students could converse without having to raise their hands.  They need this experience.  

Kids experience raising their hands, one student being called on, one correct answer, and then the teacher moving on.  He said they need to experience expanding their conversations, asking questions, and taking in all ideas.  They can learn so much by doing this.  

SOOooo...call me crazy but I said after this workshop I was going to start this day 1, then I questioned it, and thought I'd back out.  As we met on the rug for our first Chit Chat message I had kids blurting out and interrupting others.  I went over the expectations of using manners and being polite.  We discussed trying to have a classroom where we could just talk, not having to hold your hand up, and wait to be called on.

We'll see how it goes but not one student was called on today because they raised their hand and when a student did I just reminded them they could talk to me if they weren't interrupting someone else.

A Quick Look at Our Week

I don't have many pictures to share because it was just too busy to stop and take them.

We worked with our name A LOT  last week!  After reading Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan was Her Name we graphed how many letters were in our names.

Students also practiced Read to Self.  We're building stamina and were able to read for 10 minutes.

We also began learning about students in our classroom.  Each day we have a Special Person.  Students interview him/her and I write the sentences on posters I made for each of them this summer.  We learned more about Austin and Olivia this week!!

First Day Success

EeeKkk!!  We made it through the day.  I must say I didn't look at the clock once until I realized it was almost lunch time.  That's how fast our morning went by.  Even my students couldn't believe how fast the day flew by.

We spent the morning going over expectations (No David books are a MUST to read) and settling into new routines/schedules.

We read First Day Jitters, read our Jitter Juice Poem, and even tried some to settle those nerves.  They couldn't believe I was even nervous on the first day of school!

We also worked with our names and made portraits.  As you can see I have no more photos of the activities we completed because I just couldn't keep up with the day!!

I do have these ADORABLE pics to share of their first day in first grade!!

Rest up and I'll see you tomorrow!!

Friday Update

Here goes...

The kiddos made self-portraits and practiced writing their names.  Just a few examples.

Here's a picture of the poster I made when we counted how many letters in Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan!!  The kids wrote, counted, and graphed how many letters in their names.

We've been building a community in our classroom.  The kiddos did thumbprints on a tree and now it's hanging in our room.

We also read ALL the No David! books and talked about Peacemakers and Peacebreakers.  The kids each picked a card and placed it on the correct poster.  I have these cards on my TpT Store!

Ayla was our Special Person on Thursday and we interviewed Brendan today.  Here they are with their posters!!

Ugh, just noticed it should say, "elephants."  I'll be fixing that Monday!

I also began Writer's Workshop this week and practiced the workshop model.  Most told me they liked to write...which is good!!

With the new Common Core we now have to teach opinion writing.  I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce opinions since we've worked with our names all week.  I had the kids turn and talk about their names.  They had to tell if they liked it or not and give a reason why.

I  had them write in their notebooks too.  I modeled first by stating my opinion, gave one reason, and a closing.  Of course this poster wasn't pre-made so it's not fancy looking.  It was done right along with the lesson.  

I wasn't worried if they could do it all.  I just wanted to see what they could do and get a sample.   Here are a couple of examples.  I added a FREE worksheet to my TpT Store.

Last but not least, we wrote in our Take Home Journals.  We complete these every Friday for writing.  The kids write to a family member letting them know what they did during the week.  Today, I just had them draw a picture and write one sentence.

A New Year

Whoa, what a whirlwind of a week and it's not even Friday!

I have 18 first graders.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot but I had to add more mats to our meeting place so they could all sit comfortably!  Haha.  I always remember what they are like at the end of the year (almost second graders) and when I start all over again I quickly remember they're busy little kids.

Look at these faces.  "ROAR!!"  They didn't even need to practice to make these scary lion faces!  I think they're quite adorable and they bring a smile to my face every time I look at them.

Here's what we've been up to.  We've been working with our names this week.  We've worked with ABC order, syllables, and vowels.  Today I read the book below.  I can admit it...I'm too tired to type the title.  The kids loved it.

We counted how many letters in her name.  Would you believe 56?!!  After counting, the kids graphed how many letters in their names.  Of course I forgot to take a pic of our poster.  Check out my TpT Store to get a copy of a FREE worksheet to go along with this read aloud.

We also started our Special Person of the Day.  Today, we interviewed Jacob!  I made each student a special poster with his/her name on it this summer.

And...last but not least.  We've been practicing Read to Self. Kindergarten began Daily 5 last year and it has made a huge difference.  It's more of a review then teaching new concepts.  They did a FANTASTIC job!

Are you as tired as me?