Almost Time!

  Well...it's official...kinda sorta.  The summer vacation is ending.  I went up to the school today to "look at" my classroom.  In "teacher-speak" that means I went to see how much work I have to do in order to get my room student-ready.  The custodial staff cleaned the classrooms over the summer and everything is in the middle of the floor. 

EVERYTHING!!! Did I say everything?  Yep- everything!  So, today I took pictures and labeled different areas of the classroom.  At least now I have an idea of how I want to set up the classroom and I am expecting some help on Wednesday.


This is an exciting time of year-  the anticipation of a new group of students; change of seasons; crisp earth tones; sweaters; and the stark realization of what we as educators are entrusted to do.  It's all good.


I met with one of my mentors today.  When this gentleman joined our school family I mentored him for a couple of years as he was new to 2nd grade.  Now we are operating in the reverse.  He has tons of experience in preschool/kindergarten...soooo.  What I love about my colleagues is that we are about the business of life-long learning and it truly is an each one teach one experience- no big I's little you's!  Since my room is still mushed together, we sat in another kindergarten classroom that is almost completely set up and shared ideas.  Then he sent me off to photograph and label areas in my own room.


It's almost time to meet and greet those brand new eager little learners!  Happy 2011-2012 School Year! 

12 More Days!

Oh dear! In 12 more days I will be setting up a classroom for a new school year! Time to start thinking about classroom theme and routines.  (As quiet as it's kept the majority of my summer has been spent actively thinking about the new school year and KINDERGARTEN!!!!) ;-)

I received great news yesterday...3 proposals were funded by DonorsChoose.org.  If you are an educator and not familiar with this Godsend of an organization...puh-leeze visit the site.  As a result of the funding, my students and I will be receiving over $900.00 worth of materials and supplies.  AND...these are all items I selected based on the needs of my kids.  Please visit the site, it is very user friendly.

Soooooooooo, back to themes and routines.  The themes I am considering are: Helping Hands; .....Oh dear, I cannot remember the others!  Wow that was easy...the theme of our classroom will be Helping Hands!  (If the entire school year runs this smoothly...umph, umph, umph!)

Routines----the first three weeks of school are crucial.  This time is spent establishing and practicing routines- walking in line; quiet signals; transitions; basic classroom routines... any and everything that will support stellar classroom management. 

Am I nervous?  Uh, yeah!  Never taught KINDERGARTEN before.  This is a brand new beginning.  Yeah, I have the curriculum, the teacher's guides, a myriad of other teacher resources directly related to teaching KINDERGARTEN...but heck I'm human!

Yes, teachers are human...so I am experiencing all the feelings that go along with doing something for the first time.  Right now, these feelings are so very magnified.  Do you realize that I have been given the responsibility of laying the academic foundation for these kids?  Biggest nightmare---what if they don't learn how to read, count or learn their colors?  Oh dear God! 

It's going to be ok.  Prayer, meditation, the support of my awesome colleagues, skills that I possess, loving what I do...it's going to be ok.

Soooooooooooo, back to themes and routines...and.....lesson plans!!!!  May the Force be with me!