New Teacher Orientation Day 1 Finished

Parking lot full...check
Having to walk the full length of the building...check
Learning all about the administration & benefits...check

Day one crossed off my to do list.  The day started off with the mundane and tedious benefits presentation.  I already got my log ons last week, so mine have already been submitted.  So, it seemed a little redundant for me, but it was interesting to hear the nuts and bolt to make sure I was getting the full use of what I needed to sign up for.  The only system I have left to gain access to is Synergy - our online attendance & gradebook program; that will be available when my class list has been finalized & submitted - was advised by the end of this week.

Now for the shocker...my Principal advised me I will be guiding and educating 32 young minds in my classroom...that's right 32!!  Yikes, talk about giving you hurdles right from the start, especially as a new teacher.  But, I am determined to persevere and be successful when it comes to teaching these amazing students.

I finally started getting my classroom organized.  The previous 6th grade teachers at my school have gone onto other positions, so they left me supplies which they felt would be beneficial to me as a new teacher & a 6th grade teacher.  Man is there a lot!!  I got one storage closet cleaned out, onto 2 more.  It will come together within the next 3 weeks...I guarantee it.

I started to get the crafty part of my classroom management started as well.  I found this amazing management tool on Pinterest & decided to make it part of my plan.  I went to Michael's and purchased the letters N O I S E and some adorable owl/glitter scrapbook paper, along with bright washi tape.  Put Aileene's clear tacky glue & mod podge to good use... and here are my results....

I LOVE the paper I used, and I adhered colorful washi tape along the edges to finish it, all that is left is to purchase some magnets for the back of each letter.  When the noise in the classroom gets too loud, I remove a letter.  When all the letters have been removed the remainder of the day will be left to working in silence.  My mentor teacher did approximately the same management technique, but with 3 strikes, and the students towed the line within 1 - 2 strikes, only 3 times in the semester did I witness them receiving all 3 strikes, I am hoping this technique will work for me as well.  But, I do really love the paper, it has iridescent glitter covering the paper as well.  Soooo cute if I do say so myself.

There was one other thing I got for my classroom...since I am doing a minimal owl themed; it is 6th grade after all & I don't want to make it too kitchy.  At my local Safeway grocery store I found the cutest timer and had to have it.  I will find a way to make it useful, if only as an adorable friend for my desk...see my friend Oliver the Ow,l my yellow timer...

I will post more classroom pictures as my work progresses.  I do have a final deadline...Aug. 1st - Meet the Teacher night at my school.  I guess I need to get my rear in gear....LOL!!

Getting things ready....

I will say it many times...I am a Pinterest junkie!!!  Today I found a PowerPoint courtesy of Linda du Plessis on Teachers pay Teachers ( http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-PowerPoint-Freebie-editable-template-722787 ) that helps you plan what to go over on the first day of school.  I have been looking for things to help me on this initial day...and this is the best one I have found yet.  What is even more wonderful is that it is editable.  I used her format but changed the color scheme as well as the clip art including my classroom theme of owls...

I really want to include this little guy in my classroom, especially since I will be teaching Language Arts, its apropos don't you think?  Many of my colleagues I graduated with seem to be getting some headway into getting their classroom ready, but because I am having to work a temporary job I don't have the time I really wish I had to get in my classroom & get it set up.  My last day of working is July 11th, I have to participate in a school retreat on July 12th.  The following week is new teacher orientation, then the week before school is when I can finally focus on my classroom.  I hope this is enough time to get everything I want together, and be organized for the first day of school.  I believe the PowerPoint I edited will help me get on my way.  Here is a couple of examples of the slides I edited to suit my needs; there are a total of 22 slides in all.

I am sooo excited to get in there and get dirty!!!  Onward and upward...nothing but success from here on out (I hope).

Still reeling with glee for my new adventure to begin.

There are only 13 more days left of my student teaching.  I cannot wait, but even better is that I already have my job lined up after graduation.  It is funny, after campaigning to teach 5th grade, I feel delighted that I am going to be beginning my teaching career in the grade I am student teaching - 6th.  The caviat to the whole experience, is when I went to the principal to discuss securing a working SmartBoard for my classroom, she disclosed she was going to rearrange the classroom layout and I got to pick my classroom.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to plan and prepare for the beginning of next year - even though this year isn't over yet.  I look forward to working with the staff I have collaborated with these past 4 months.  I feel the best is yet to come.