I admit it. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.
Not necessarily in a bad way… just in an overwhelmed kind of overwhelmed way. (I’m also really excited, fulfilled, and happy, so it is balanced out!)
After spending the first two days of the week in my room (and making some decent progress), I’ve spent the last two days in training and my brain is a bit fried. It is a lot of information to take in all at once, especially as my brain is already preoccupied with the “I’m never going to finish my room!” and “I really have a class?!” jitters.
So I do have a small request: the biggest piece to me feeling overwhelmed right now is the practical parts of the first few days of school — establishing procedures and routines. If you could be so kind as to leave one piece of advice to that end, I would very much appreciate it, and will share it with my friends that are also embarking on their first first day of school!
I’ll leave you with a sneak peek of my word wall, which my husband graciously helped me put up. I’m so excited to get some “starter” words up there, and to put my mobile word wall on the shelving below it!
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| Excuse the bad photo — the alarm was about to be put on and we were rushing out! |
I will be back this weekend with several freebies and a new TPT product (hopefully… if I can keep my eyes open) that I’ve been meaning to upload for two weeks!
My advice would be to plan a complete day, but mentally prepare yourself for only doing a small portion of it- and the fact that you only do a little bit of it is OK. Amazingly, the first day REALLY is unpacking, and talking about how to sit together on the carpet, and then how to line up to go to lunch, and then they eat, and you spend the rest of the time talking about how to go to encore, and then they go and come back, and you finish with teaching them how to pack up. Yes, indeed, plan that magnificent craft that showcases their talents- who knows, maybe you're kids will be super gifted at procedures and there will be time, but as for the rest of us….. 😉
~Heather
My advice is to be prepared to practice, practice, practice those procedures until they get them exactly the way you want them. If you hold them accountable now and continue to have them practice correctly, it will become second nature. Don't be afraid to review those procedures in a month and each time you have a new student. I remember the feeling of standing in my first classroom (almost empty with nothing on the walls) and thinking…now what? You will do great!
Storie
Stories by Storie
My advice is to make a game out of all that practice…after I went over the procedures a few times I would ask the kids if my behavior – which would be the total opposite of what's expected – was the right kind. They would laugh and laugh and then get up and show me how to do things the right way. I think it kind of ingrained the procedures in their heads a little better.
Also, go home!! Don't stay at school all hours of the night…you need your rest too! Good luck!!
Cheryl
Spotted Around the School
So cute! I echo the GO HOME part! You need rest, and the classroom will be there when you return!
And we need to see more pictures now that it is complete! And Mr. Plum's room, too!
We hope things are slowing down and becoming more routine for you! Just wanted to drop by and let you know we featured you (and your lightbulb moment freebie) on our blog today. We'd love for you to drop by and check it out.
Enjoy your weekend and get some rest!
Creation Castle