Groovy Educator

This year I decided to do something a little different.  I wanted to have something cute on each student's desk for orientation besides the usual pencil, bookmark, and eraser.  I don't like to give out candy or sweet treats since there is a growing problem of childhood obesity.  What is super healthy?  Water!  I'm going to get the mini water bottles and attach this cute graphic.  I think I will use a hole punch and tie it on with a decorative ribbon.  The other option is to use card stock and make a mini holder for the water bottle to sit in.    Let’s start the year  off with a splash! I made a document with four of these images to a page.  You can download it for free! CLICK HERE .  I found the cute graphic on MyCuteGraphics.com .  There is a link on the right side of the page to free clip art and teacher clip art. I will still have a star pencil and eraser for each child since they will be a first grade star ...

Tomorrow is GO time!  Summer vacation is over.  The next week will be full of meetings, planning, and decorating.  On Friday I get to meet my new class family for the year.  It's an exciting time.  The next few days will be a flurry of activity. At my school, we have a wonderful PTA.  They really spoil the teachers.  It is the first time I have worked in a school where the parents are so involved.  Tomorrow the PTA puts on a welcome back breakfast.  It will be a time when everyone comes together and celebrates the new school year.  We share about our summers and wrap our minds around all the things we have to do. After the PTA breakfast, we will have out first meeting then we work in our rooms.  I'm glad that I came in before school started.  All my furniture is placed and most of my boards are up.  When I get into my room tomorrow, the first thing I am going to do is make a list of what needs to be done.  I will ...

Tomorrow I have a workshop and next week I am back to work.  The students do not begin until the following week.  It is hard to believe that summer is already over. My mind is racing!  If my body moved as fast as my mind I would be paper thin.  There is just so much to do.  Right now I am pondering how I want to make initial contact with my students. This year I think I am going to send a welcome letter inviting them to orientation.  (Orientation is a week from tomorrow!!!)  In the letter I think I will tell them a little about me so they won't be so worried on the first day.  I am going to include details about my new baby girl, my six pets, and how I love cows. I'm debating on whether or not I want to give them their first assignment.  Part of me wants to have them come to school with a picture of someone special in their life (someone that they love).  I want to do this for two reasons.  First they get to be comforted by th...

Orientation and Back to School Night are the two times of year you can count on quite a bit of parent involvement.  Where I live, Orientation is when students and parents meet the teacher and drop off school supplies the Friday before school begins.  Back to School Night takes place about a month to six weeks after the school year begins.  Parents are invited back to see what their child has been learning in school. When planning for these special events, you need to keep in mind that the child is the focal point.  In my mind, Orientation is about alleviating fears about the first day and Back to School night is for the child to share about his/her school experience.  When I plan for these events, I always to remember it is not about me.  With that said, here are some tips to make the experience memorable. Orientation Remember Orientation is when everybody meets the first time so first impressions are important.  This is the first time that the pa...