I sound like a 70+ year old dock worker and I fell asleep on the couch as soon as I finished my dinner last night, but I am all smiles. We are officially five days into the 2014-2015 school year and I couldn’t be happier. What amazing adventures await us . . . yes, it’s going to be one of those years.
My teaching partner (Court) and I taught together during this initial run so the new crew could get to know both of us. It was so nice having another adult in the room . . . someone who is a seasoned teacher and your good buddy (now that’s a #winwin). As we navigated our first week together, the two of us had countless moments where we would look up at each other in absolute disbelief. This crew listens. This crew is kind. This crew does it THE FIRST TIME. Um, someone pinch me . . . I must be dreaming. We were able to do so many fun things this week because they are so amazing. Here is a peek at our week. Five for Friday style (a bit tardy on this Saturday afternoon).
ONE – ROCK STAR STUDENT FUN
We turned our new crew into a team of Rock Star Students this week. The kids were all about this theme. It proved to be a super easy way to sell high-level behavior expectations and various activities throughout the week. Here are a few highlights . . .
TWO – THEMED GRAPHING
We continued our Rock Star fun with a little graphing action. Court came up with this one and it played out brilliantly. We graphed our favorite instruments. However, there was a super fun catch . . . they got to play them first. Our room was SO loud – we were banging drums, tappin’ rhythm sticks, shaking the crud out of maracas, and slamming cymbals together. There wasn’t a kid who wasn’t grinning from ear to ear. The best part for us . . . when we gave the signal, they all stopped without slippin’ in one more tap, bang, shake, or slam. They did this EVERY TIME. Can you believe it?? I sure couldn’t! This activity and all of the other Rock Star themed goodies are part of my Rockin’ Back To School Pack.
THREE – LUNCHROOM MANNERS
Last year our school switched recess and lunch. In other words, our babies eat after they play . . . while we {the teachers} are on our “shove food in your mouth and stuff reading folders” break. With this said, we walk our kiddos to recess instead of the lunchroom. This means we no longer get to teach manners and overall cafeteria expectations as we help them get through the line — aides do this now. I think our presence during the beginning part of lunch is missed and problems in the cafeteria seem to be on the rise. Well, I wanted to nip this in the bud this year. SO . . . we explicitly taught lunchroom behavior this year with a few fun activities. We reviewed expectations shared-writing style and completed a little lunchroom manners pledge write. Then, the kids made a darling little craft to house it! These look so cute on our skywire! Ron Brown from Intelli-Tunes even wrote me a little song to help reinforce these expectations . . . thanks dad 🙂 This (and more) is all part of my Boxin’ Up Lunchroom Manners Packet.
FOUR – PE IS AWESOME
Our kids absolutely ate up PE time this week. My students last year could give or take it. However, by in large, this is one of the things that our sweeties liked best this week. I’ll be honest . . . I am HORRIBLE at PE and it always seems to get edged out of my plans although it was scheduled in (unless it is a standard-based active ditty). I am thrilled that this is Court’s fave . . . she will help me get back on track with teaching structured physical education games 🙂
FIVE – TEAR ART
I always like to run with a tear art self portrait craft the first Friday of school. These are a great way to teach kiddos that mistakes are just “happy accidents” and that art never turns out how you think. The darlin’ faces always get hung in the window with a little speech bubble write explaining what each child’s favorite thing was about the first week of school. Our windows make me smile now! This activity is a FREEBIE in my shop. CLICK HERE to check it out 🙂
Alright, so there you be — the first week in a nutshell. OMGOODNESS, my friends . . . I am still so tired today, but I don’t know if I have ever been more in love. What a ride this is going to be 🙂 #bringitonroom13
What a FUN week! I love that they listened the first time…even with the instruments. Usually there's always one, but the ENTIRE CLASS? AMAZING!!! Have a wonderful school year! <3
Mmmmuuuuuaaaahhh . . . thank you friend. It's gonna be one for the record books. Huge hugs!
Looks like a great week! I used your lunchroom pack, too!!
Thanks for poppin' in my dear!!! SO excited that you used it too . . . hope it went well. Here's to a killer second week for both of us 🙂
I'm sitting here wishing 1) we taught together 2) my class would do the music thing without getting in one more pop, bang, tweet and 3) will your teammate teach PE to my kids? LOVE THIS ENTIRE POST!
Thanks Teeny! Boy, would I love to teach with you. We would cause SO much trouble together 🙂 Miss you TONS.
This post makes me miss job sharing so much. I was lucky enough to do it for 7 years. Your littles are so stinkin lucky to have you as their teacher! Xoxo, vicky
Your first week makes me smile and makes me pray REALLY hard to that mine is the same!
Hugs to you – and I'm in love with tear art in general, but have never done it with their sweet little faces!
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
Um… just went on a little pinning frenzy because everything is so stinkin' adorable! It looks like you had such a great week! I'm so happy you have a wonderful class. Sounds like this will be a great year for you! I loved reading about your week. Thanks for sharing!