Day 1 in Review

I think I will forever be nervous on the "first day of school" for as long as I am a teacher. Maybe it actually gets easier.. but at least on "first day number two" I was still nervous!

I know I'm nervous when I can pop right out of bed without hitting snooze! Today was my first day at FA. I arrived to school dressed in my black capri dress pants and a new "grownup" black and white top from NY&C. I felt very adult... and was feeling pretty prepared for the day.

As soon as I arrived I went to make a few simple copies as I had received a new student and I didn't have enough. No big deal right? Wrong... The printer was off because B and I were literally some of the first people there and no one had used it yet. So I waited for forever for it to come on, and then the paper was getting jammed. I could feel my anxiety rising as I was no where near done with my morning to-do list and we were continually getting closer to 7:15 when the students could enter. Finally got the printer worked out and before I knew it the kids were arriving. Students began coming in and placing their materials in various places around the room. A MUCH better plan than my "dump everything in the back plan" I used last year.

After everyone got settled we read a book called First Day Jitters to try to rid ourselves of our nerves! Between my nerves.. the nerves of 9 new students to the school.. and the general nerves of the rest... there was definitely some anxiety in the room! I really think the book helped calm everyone down some. Throughout the day we did multiple activities like this one including playing the infamous connection... playing a get to know you bingo... and reading wartville wizard.

Overall I was beyond pleased with the kids behavior and the overall feel of the classroom. The kids were respectful, but we had fun too! Currently there are 28 enrolled in my homeroom!! This is only 3 more than I started with last year.. but it just feels big!

I truly felt great about the day until we came to carpool. I was placed on carpool duty... despite the fact that I really had no idea what I was doing! I did my best and was lucky to be working with some people who did know what they were doing. There were some major carpool issues, and traffic was so backed up that we made the news! wahoo. haha Probably not the press we are looking for. However I hear that it will all clear up within the next 4 days. Fingers Crossed!

So tomorrow is day 2 and I'm excited to go back. More fun get to know you activities are coming our way. After tomorrow we start instruction, at that point we will be switching classes! I have a reading and language arts class, a math class, and two science classes. I'm a little antsy about the science, but my team teacher K and I will figure it out! Thinking about all the academics makes my head spin a little bit because it is very different than what I'm used to... but I think I am really going to enjoy it!

The layout of the day is perfect too.
Reading. Specials.
Science. Recess.
Math. Lunch.
Science. Study Hall

See how there is some sort of break or relief after every major class!? Wahoo! This is amazing for a teacher and for the kids honestly.

With all this being said I will leave you with two things from today that made me smile:

"Ms. Funk I was born in China... oh and I speak French too." <- Really kid? Really?
"Ms. Funk you are the greatest teacher ever!" (note from child found on my desk <3)