Back in session!

School with the kids officially started yesterday, though I've already been mandatorily "back" for 2 weeks now.  I had 3 days of textbook/curriculum training, 2 days of new teacher orientation, a day "off" (last Monday, which wasn't really a day off since I worked the whole day), Tuesday through Thursday as pre-planning, and Friday as the first day of school. 

My biggest stress was getting my room set up and ready.  Once that was done, then I realized that I probably should figure out what to do when the kids actually get there.  I definitely could've used more than 3 pre-planning days, but I got it done.  At least, I got the important things done. 

Here are some pictures of my room:

A little sign I made.

I was also interviewed by the local paper as a "new" teacher to the county.

Thursday night, we had open house.  I have to admit I had some difficulty breathing right before it.  I was so nervous.  I've never started the year off with a homeroom, I haven't been in the classroom in 2 years, and I haven't been around 8th graders in 3.  All of that adds up to some nerves for me.  But... it was great!!  I got to meet most of my homeroom, I had to pronounce my last name at least 60 times, I got to meet some nice parents... it was great.  I left feeling good, but anxious about the next morning.

To summarize Friday... It was GREAT!  I couldn't have asked for a better start!  I was mentally prepared, I had enough things for the kiddos to do, I was surprisingly organized.  The kids were good- definitely have some talkers or some who I'll keep my eye on- but, they were awesome for the first day!  Here's a little activity I did:

I had 4 sheets on the board, each with a fill in the blank or question on it.  Each kid got to answer the question/statement on a sticky note.  

Math is important because... (almost everyone said something like "We use it everyday in life".

Our classroom should be ___ everyday.  Most answers were either fun, clean, or quiet.

What will Mrs. K need to do to help you this year?  I got a wide variety of answers- some as simple as "nothing" (those confident kiddos!) and others very detailed.

My goal for math this year is _____.  Most were either to get an A or to pass the CRCT in math. 

I was definitely EXHAUSTED at the end of the day and I went to bed at 8:45.  Today, I am much more energized, feeling good... but now I need to figure out all the plans for next week!  There's no turning back now!