First Day Jitters

So you all know that I just moved (again), which means locating both my camera and my camera cord in order to upload pics of my classroom is proving to be way too challenging at the moment. I will be happy if I can keep my head on straight tomorrow. I will try to post pics soon, but I still feel like my room isn't totally ready since my awesome new carpet is not arriving in time for school....BUMMER!

For some reason, I always have extreme anxiety and worry about the start of a new school year. Perhaps it is the result of having two entirely new classes full of kids I don't know yet, but for some reason, I tend to assume to worst and worry that it will be a really hard year. Most of the kiddos I did get the chance to meet last week were very sweet and many seemed really shy, but of course there were a few--those charming few--who can totally make or break your entire year. I am trying to be rational and think about the fact that they simply are über excited to start school and don't know (yet) what is expected of them. When I clearly explain the rules and procedures, most of them should settle in and settle down just fine.

Here's hoping.

I still have really good numbers (18 in the AM and 19 in the PM), but as I said before, I don't anticipate those numbers staying the same despite my continuous finger crossing, praying, hoping, wishing, and begging. I know we'll get more kiddos registering tomorrow and as of now, our numbers are pretty even which means for every new kiddo that Mrs. Bee gets, I will get 2 (1 in the AM and 1 in the PM). I kind of wish I could just have everyone on the first day, but then again, I will be happy with these smaller numbers for as long as they last. And I will reteach routines and procedures over and over and over in these next few weeks, so any newbies won't miss out.

What's on tap for tomorrow...

• a little morning work followed by an explanation of my quiet signal (red bell who I am naming Buddy Bell this year).

• explanation and practice of transition to the morning meeting carpet with the good morning song as a cue.

• more practice cleaning up morning work and transitioning to carpet.

• morning greeting circle with some name games so I can get to know the kids. I am being brave this year and not putting name tags on them because I hate how they start peeling off after 5 minutes. 

• visit to the bathroom to teach bathroom expectations and etiquette along with a chance for a potty break.

• story time with The Kissing Hand followed by a project based on the book.

• explanation of behavior management system (which I will be altering for the first month so I can be more on top of calling out the unwanted behaviors and kids can get used to it). I will transition to the actual system in October.

• review of bell, morning routine, and sticks.

• maybe another story if there's time. 
• practice lining up (with a cute song I have) and then buses. 

Hopefully all the kiddos get on the right bus so I can relax in between sessions before I do it all over again with 20 fewer minutes.

If you are starting tomorrow I hope you have a great first day. Many of you have already been back for what seems like weeks, but I hope you have a great day/week as well!