Ah, the beginning of school....a time of new beginnings. This year, my team and I decided to shake it up a bit, change our old beginning of school routines. One teammate of mine was scouting some new ideas on Pinterest (you know, the place for EVERYTHING!!), and came across this idea for teaching rules using the lovable and troublemaking "David."
The idea came from Fall Into First. What a cute idea using the book David Goes to School by David Shannon. The kids love David because his extreme rule breaking makes them laugh, yet reinforces the need for rule following. After reading the book, we brainstormed some rules that should be followed at school.
Then the kids chose one or more to write about. Since it was the beginning of the week, I wasn't so picky about true sentence structure. And finally it was time to make our "Davids." I love how unique each "David" came. It was the kids' interpretations of this loveable character.
So we are in the first week of school. A time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and new classrooms.
"Little Ricky" started 2nd grade this week. 2nd grade! My baby is no longer a baby. He was so ready to begin his new year. Ready to show what he knows and prove that he is a big kid. (Not to mention, to prove to his little brother that he knows all about 1st grade...)
"The Nag" was a little more jittery. Even though he knew everyone going in, first grade was a bit more of a challenge for him. He was also very excited, but more nervous of what to expect.
Picking them up after the first day, they were full of stories about what they did and which of their friends showed up in the same class. ("The Nag" was also so wiped out he fell asleep in the car on the way home.)
So, as the new school year started, I too was nervous for my little guys, but I also felt sadness that they are no longer babies, but big kids ready to take on a new school year.
Do you hear that sound? It's the collective groaning of all teachers everywhere. Summer is over. Time to set up the classroom. Time to label desks, cubbies, books, EVERYTHING with the students' names. Time to plan, prepare, and organize. Time to get a Magic Wand...... I have SOOOO much to do. My classroom is FULL of boxes all waiting to be unpacked. I have labels to print, plans to write and a schedule to coordinate.
And it all has to be done before a new flock of first graders come in to meet me for the first time....no pressure.
Oh well, it will get done. It always does. I will just have to set up the air mattress at the back of the room.... WISH ME LUCK!! I will need that and a bit of magic!!
