Whew!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Well, I survived! I made it through my first three and a half weeks of teaching. Even though I am loving every minute of it, I am enjoying my Christmas break! I am excited to have a few days to make my classroom look the way I want it and not like the way the retiring teacher left it. =) Once I get everything situated I will share some pictures.

I wouldn't have made it through my first few weeks without all of the AMAZING ideas I keep getting off of all the wonderful blogs I frequently visit. So if you have one of those awesome blogs...THANKS! =)

Stay tuned for pictures and classroom ideas!

7 comments

  1. Congratulations! I cannot wait to hear about your adventures! I just graduated, and I'm still waiting for a classroom of my own. You've given me hope!
    Stop by for a visit!
    http://creativeteaching-kimberly.blogspot.com/

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  2. Thanks for following my blog and entering my giveaway. I love your blog and am your newest follower. What happened to the teacher after 4 months that you got the job? Hopefully the class didn't put her over the edge. But good for you.
    2B Honey Bunch

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  3. Ms. Smith,

    Hey there. Thanks for stopping by A Class Act.

    I know EXACTLY how you feel in terms of sensory overload with your new job. I graduated two years ago and got a job 8 days later! I went in there during Christmas break and tried to make it my own classroom. I did to a degree but the previous teacher had SO MUCH STUFF (she was a teacher for 30 years and kept everything!)...I didn't know what to do with it all. I ended up keeping everything until I got a foundation of the curriculum and school. I remember that summer, I went in there and changed EVERYTHING! After half a year of teaching, I knew what I used and didn't use. I had 13 GIANT bags of trash. There was guilt involved in this process. I felt like "this stuff isn't mine..should I be doing this?" The answer is yes! Don't be afraid to do what you want. It's your room! Let me know if you need anything. :)

    Tanya
    A Class Act

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  4. Also, please check out my profile on MimioConnect.com for 3rd grade lessons.

    Where are you located?

    We have standardized testing in Florida which all 3rd graders must pass in order to be promoted, so I have lessons on MimioConnect for our FCAT reading skills (author's purpose, cause and effect, fact and opinion, etc).
    My username is villacist on MimioConnect. :)

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  5. Kimberly, Thanks for checking out my new blog! I know you will get an opportunity soon. You never know when it will happen. I landed a job when I least expected it. =)

    Erika, Thanks so much! =) I replaced a retiring teacher. They passed some new retirement laws in my state so we had a decent number of teachers retire December 1st. =)

    Tanya, Thanks so much for the encouragement. I went in my room today and I have already come up with 5 bags of trash and I haven't even gotten through half the stuff yet. I also replaced a teacher who had been in the same room for 25 years and she had TONS of stuff. Having stuff is a blessing, because most new teachers start with nothing, but its also a lot to go through! My plan is similar to what you did. I am just trying to get the classroom usable and then I will completely re-do this summer. =) I will definitely check out your lessons. Those lessons sound like they would definitely be a great resource. We have standardized testing as well... I wonder if we have the same? Thanks for all of the great information!

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  6. If you read, you are in. I'm not aiming for Oprah's book thingie. Share what you like. I personally like a lot of fluff outside of school!
    2B Honey Bunch

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  7. Thanks for following! I'm your newest follower, too! =)

    I was also hired 2 months into the school year in 2009. It was stressful, awkward, and scary! But I survived [unharmed], and I seriously couldn't be happier!

    I wish I knew about the blog world then. SOOO many useful ideas!

    Good luck!!

    Meg
    Third Grade in the First State

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