The One with Accelerated Math

After tomorrow I will have officially completed the first two weeks of school.

I must admit it has not been the easiest two weeks.  

New school.

New grade levels.

New content.

Needless to say I have been feeling completely overwhelmed.  I had a major melt down last night and told my husband I just felt like I was drowning.

Today has been a better day.  I dare say it was the best day yet, despite its rocky start.  

I'm looking forward to next week.  Next week I plan to start my first unit in both 5th grade and 6th grade.  I feel like I will finally be able to really get into a routine.  

There are still some things I need to make a decision about.

Yesterday we spent the morning doing STAR test in both reading and math.  I will get the results of the test next week.  Then I will be able to start Accelerated Math.

Do any of you use this program?  I would love to hear how you incorporate it in the classroom?

I've used Accelerated Math before and thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  But now that it is all online - which is great - it changes my game plan.  

Do you have students complete assignments inside or outside of class?

How often?  

I would appreciate any thoughts.

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?