The One with the Questions Posters

Over the first two days of school I asked my students three questions.

A few of their answers were a bit surprising.

1.  Our class should be _____ every day.

I was honestly a little surprised at how many students said quiet.  I was pretty impressed with their self awareness.  Several students put fun which didn't surprise me at all.  Of course with 5th and 6th graders there were a few strange answer.  One student wrote fish.  That one totally baffled me until another student suggested that maybe that one meant decor.  Our classroom should have a fish theme every day?

2.  One of my overall goals for the school year...

Students seem to have two goals...better grade or no pink slips.  I think those are pretty good goals.  A few students said they wanted to be nicer to their classmates.  That's an even better goal.


3. What kind of teacher to do you want?

The answers to this one actually broke my heart.  While several students want a fun teacher, the majority want a kind and helpful teacher.  It broke my heart in that it was a reminder that my students are people and what they need most is love.  I think some times it is easy to forget that.  I felt like this was my yearly reminder that I can't teach my students until I love my students.  Of course I already knew this, but it was nice to have this reminder.




On a separate note...what did teachers do before Pinterest?  I'm sure I don't have to tell you that this idea came from there. 

The One with the First Day: Monday Made It

Today I MADE IT through my first year of the school year.  And I'm exhausted!!

It was a great first day.  

I have 21 students in my homeroom with only 5 of those being girls.  It's going to be a challenging year but I am so excited.  I have pretty high expectations for this group of kiddos and the growth they are going to experience mathematically.  

I did manage to create one little thing... a cute football schedule. 

 Thank you Emily for the inspiration.  She made an adorable schedule - even if it was for Auburn.  :)

The One on the First Day

Today was the first day of school for students.

I have never felt so indifferent about the first day of school in my life.

To be honest I was dreading it.  I may have been a little whiny yesterday about the whole ordeal.

I didn't even have my outfit planned until it was time to get dressed this morning.    So unlike me!

 I still had a few copies to make when I arrived at school this morning.  What a headache.  Our school has the weirdest paper.  It is slightly longer than 8.5 x 11 so you have to select a special thing on the computer before you print.  You also have to select where you want it printed EVERY time.  It only took me around ten attempts to get my papers printed.  

Not how I wanted to start the year.

After that though, things went smoothly.

My homeroom is full of sweethearts.  I have never received so many compliments in one day.

I think I will like teaching 5th and 6th grade.

Biggest highlight of the day?  I get a 40 minute lunch!!  I don't even know what to do with that.  It is twice as long as what I'm accustomed too.

WooHoo!!

All in all it was a great first day.

I'm ready to start problem solving tomorrow.

Have you had your first day yet?  How did it go?