Okay, I feel like I’ve dipped my toes in the water today. We had our annual Meet the Teacher night. This gives us a chance to meet our students and families the day before school starts. This was probably the first year I’ve met 100% of my students. I don’t know who is more nervous – me or the students.
As teachers we know exactly how much time and effort goes into making our rooms look and feel ready before families see them. My room is not completely camera ready, but I do plan to take some more pictures later this week or early next week when we have some items on the bare walls. So for today I’m only going to share a couple of pictures.
The door is the first thing the families see as they enter the classroom:
After introductions (usually) the students find their desk. On the desk, students will find the following:
Top – nametag with number line (I cut most of it out of the picture because of the student name).
Left – bag of Starbursts. Our mascot is the Star. The label says,
“Welcome 2nd grade STAR. I am BURSTING with excitement that you are in our classroom this year.”
Right – Supply List & Desk Note
The supply list contains a couple of items that are not on our generic grade level list. The desk note serves two purposes. First, it lets me know which desks need to be adjusted for height in the first few days of school. Second, the students write their name on it so I can get a quick sense of their handwriting.
The next two pictures show the easiest way I have found to collect community supplies. I label large grocery sized brown bags with the school supplies. As the kids bring in the supplies, they just dump the community supplies in the bags. I can put them away throughout the day where they really belong.
I have students stack the larger, bulkier items in the windowsill.
The kids have a sharpened pencil, crayons, and colored pencils in their desks for now. I will add supplies throughout the first two weeks, as needed.
Once I have met my students I begin labeling EVERYTHING with the name they will go by for the year (mailboxes, clothespins for the clip chart, book tubs, homework folders, check-in board, etc.). In fact, I just realized that I forgot to label the birthday board. Oops, that’s one more item for the morning to-do list!
Well, it’s time for this little lady to finalize my plans for tomorrow and set the alarm. Routines & Procedures are at the top of the priority list. Fingers crossed that I don’t have tears or a lost student tomorrow!
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