Here's the problem. MY problem. We haven't always started after Labor Day. We used to go back mid-August. Which meant once the calendar flipped over to August 1st my head was thinking "Back to School". Unfortunately, I can't shift my thinking and I'm already chomping at the bit.
Can I share an ugly secret with you?
I've been buying, printing and making things all summer and then I hide them behind a chair. No need to put hubby on high alert. Really, I'm only thinking about him because that's the kinda wife I am.
So, while my days of waking up to an alarm are still in the distance...as are my weekly {that's the plan...ONCE a week people, NOT daily} visits to Starbucks...I recognize a ton of you are hearing that wretched buzz of yours. I thought I would try to make your harried first weeks a little sweeter by giving away two $10 gift eCards to Starbucks!!!!!
I can almost smell the Pumpkin Spice Lattes!!!!!
I'll choose two winners on Wednesday, August 7th, using my boys' as random number generators!
{Giveaway Closed}
{Include your email address}
"Like" me on Facebook
Follow my TpT Store
{Leave three separate comments - for three entries - this girl is "old school" - I'm getting rid of the mall hair next week!}
Winners announced, August 7th...sometime....let's say when it's a freckle past a hair.
Toodles!
Congrats to Barbara {#8 because my "baby" is 8} and Jenalyn {#11 because my oldest is 11}! My boys thought it would be cool to choose based on their ages!
Check your email in a few...
Enjoy!
Relax! We have ALLLLLL been there! Get to know your grade level teachers, they will be your "New" BFF's! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHere is some advice..after a lesson go back and see what you work on to make it better the next time! Not every lesson will be perfect and that is OK!!
ReplyDeleteogulnickc@gmail.com :)
Next week is my last week til school :/
ASK Questions...no matter if you think they are dumb or NOT.. (Yes, we have asked those questions too!) wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNO TEARS! The "angry" parent will GO AWAY, the principal who is "rough around the edges" will move to another school before you do, and feeling overwhelmed goes with the profession. Take deep breaths, vent to a colleague (don't keep it in), and find your "HAPPY PLACE" ( mine is the beach, good book, drink with a little umbrella in it). Sometimes I actually go there...sometimes I just VISUALIZE! Smile (or grit your teeth) & giggle with your kiddos. Teaching is FANTASTIC! :) wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh girl I mind is there but I have not been! HA! I did buy most of my boarders and stuff already online....that is one piece of advice I give new teachers....pick out your color scheme and buy most of your boarders and stuff online. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Sometimes lessons just do not work. Be flexible - sometimes you just have to follow the kiddos lead! Get to know your teammates, and take at least 20 minutes at lunch time for yourself every day!
ReplyDeleteOk advice number two - put up the same color on all the BB in your room. It will help it have a cohesive look, I just use different boarders to add a little color and flavor! It took me years to learns this one....
ReplyDeleteAnd advice number three...label your lib books and baskets, then when it is time to pack up your room put them in baggies. When it is time to set up the next year match up a bag of books to a bin! Major time saver!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you think ... I use my boys as random generators, too!! Ok, my advice for the newbie as I start my 30th year ... take care of yourself. You are not going to be able to nurture, mentor, love, care for, support, teach, facilitate, mediate, love, like, tolerate, accept, respect, be fair with, be open-minded, appreciate, affirm, did I mention love? anyone if you aren't healthy and happy yourself. Learn to relax, savor, play; it'll add years to your life and life to your years.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Oh Holly!
ReplyDeleteStashing stuff behind a chair?! That's exactly the reason my rocking chair doesn't rock!
And, you know, if Starbucks is an option, I'm in...
We don't go back until September, but my mind went back on August 1st (or was it some time in July?)
Sending you B2S hugs and wishes for a wonderful year...
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
joyin6th@gmail.com
OOPS! All that and I forgot to mention my advice!
ReplyDeleteIt's an easy one: LAUGH!
Laugh at your mistakes, laugh when things are funny, laugh because it makes you feel better.
AND: Set time limits for tasks. I've been known to spend an hour just choosing a font. You will be woefully behind by week two if you don't manage your time carefully. I truly believe that attaching time limits to items on your To Do list increases the chance you will get (more) things done.
Happy Teaching!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Aww, the Big Mac bridge...miss that lovely sight!! Advice #1 over plan your first week!! b822b@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAdvice #2 follow some of the amazing blogs out there for awesome advice, ideas, and inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteb822b@yahoo.com (oops!!)
Delete#3 Take care of yourself! You could spend your life in and on your classroom and kids - don't...pick a stopping time and try to stick to it. Do fun things for you that doesn't have to do with teaching-go to dinner, socialize with friends, exercise...
ReplyDeleteb822b@yahoo.com
Delete#1 Build community and positive relationships with your students. They will support you if they feel respected by you.
ReplyDeletejaneleko@aol.com
Sorry if this posts twice! My advice is don't be afraid to ask for help! From my experience, both my principal and grade team members were more than willing to help with advice, resources, and just support! Each year gets a little bit easier so don't stress if that first year doesn't go as planned! It's a learning experience. Work as a team :)
ReplyDeleteahollenbeck@usd261.com
#2 Do not judge. Do not criticize ANYONE! You do not have to agree with everyone but you don't need to make enemies either. Accept people for who they are.
ReplyDeletejaneleko@aol.com
#3 Find an EXCELLENT mentor and use them.
ReplyDeletejaneleko@aol.com
Take the time to teach your procedures and expectations explicitly...model and practice. The time you invest in the beginning will pay HUGE dividends later in the year as you aren't wasting time every time you transition, need to get their attention, etc.
ReplyDeleteTonya
teachertonyak@hotmail.com
My advice: It's okay to make mistakes. Don't worry about being perfect. If you are worrying, you'll get too caught up on doing everything just right and miss the important stuff. Also, since it is never possible to do everything right, you'll end up frustrated. It's freeing and so much less stressful to let go and be okay with not being perfect. Also, it's a great example to your kids to know that no one is perfect and it's okay to make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteandrea . m . lee84 @gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete#1: Befriend your administrative secretary and your building service manager! They will be so helpful in your teaching career!
ReplyDeletetheatrebabe@hotmail.com
#2: Before you leave at the end of the day, try to have everything ready for the next day. That way, when you encounter horrible traffic during your morning commute, or wake up sick as a dog and can't possibly make it into work, or arrive at school at the copier is broken, you will be ok because you had everything ready! If you can get ready for the whole week on Friday before you leave, even better, but contact me if you can figure this one out - in 7 years I haven't accomplished that yet!
ReplyDeletetheatrebabe@hotmail.com
#3: Remember, good or bad, it will only be your first year once! Cherish all the good memories - this class will always be special to you (even if they are the biggest group of trouble-makers in the world!) And when things go wrong, remember you only have to deal with being a new teacher and all that comes with it once!
ReplyDeletetheatrebabe@hotmail.com
I like you on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Teaching in the Valley
teachinginthevalley@gmail.com
And my advice for new teachers (since I was one last year) is don't stay too late - you need some "me" time so you don't get too bogged down or burnt out! Also, happy hour is a must =P
ReplyDeleteLiz
Teaching in the Valley
teachinginthevalley@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway! The best advice I could give is to be good to yourself! Set a time amount for staying after school and pick days where you don't take stuff home- finding that balance!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on facebook
ReplyDeleteemail is Headleyfamily@comcast.net
I also follow you on TpT- which I wouldn't want to teach without it!
ReplyDelete#1 Find a teacher that you can ask for help. When I started, I was the only 4th grade teacher in the hall with 5th grade....Those 5th grade teachers sure were a big help.
ReplyDeletecarrie/sidquince sidquince@aol.com
#2 Don't believe everything a past teacher tells u about a student in in your class. Sometimes they surprise you!!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie/sidquince sidquince@aol.com
#3 I always tell anyone who comes into my classroom to "steal" away. I don't have a problem sharing my ideas....I always tell them to check out TPT!!!
ReplyDeletecarrie/sidquince sidquince@aol.com
My advice is ask for help from your colleagues & don't stay at work too late:).
ReplyDeletePismonlove@yahoo.com
Laughloveteachlearn.blogspot.com
followed on tpt amyseybrown@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteand thanks!
Advice # 1 - Get to know the other teachers on your grade level.
ReplyDeleteRie
hiphophurrayreading@gmail.com
Advice # 2 - Make friends with the ladies in the office, the janitor, and the cafeteria ladies. They will become extremely important to you during the year.
ReplyDeleteRie
hiphophurrayreading@gmail.com
Advice # 3 - Don't take part in the school gossip, it can become consuming.
ReplyDeleteRie
hiphophurrayreading@gmail.com
I liked on Facebook and followed you on TPT.
DeleteI agree with Rie - Do your best not to take part in the school gossip - it'll give you a lot more time to get stuff done so you can leave earlier!
ReplyDeleteKatie
KatieHRhoads@gmail.com
I liked you on Facebook. Glad to be following you!
ReplyDeleteKatieHRhoads@gmail.com
I'm following you on TPT!!
ReplyDeleteKatie Rhoads
KatieHRhoads@gmail.com
Advice #1- Ask for help! Don't isolate yourself. Be willing to learn from others who are more experienced than you.
ReplyDeleteBecky
Compassionate Teacher
hoffman.rebecca@att.net
Advice #2- Plan ahead, but do not take on too much. Do not feel like you have to try every new idea while you are still learning the curriculum. You can always add, remove, and tweak things in later years as you become more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteBecky
Compassionate Teacher
Advice #3- Try to find a balance between school and your personal life. You cannot work non-stop. You will burn out. Take time to rest and to spend time with friends and family.
ReplyDeleteBecky
Compassionate Teacher
My advice to a new teacher would be to try not to do it all. Teaching is a learning process and you will not know it all your first year, or your second, or your tenth!
ReplyDeletearcrow@sbcglobal.net
More advice: Be flexible. Your class will be different each year so what works this year might not work next year. Be flexible with lessons and learn when a lesson is a flop so you can more on gracefully to something else.
ReplyDeletearcrow@sbcglobal.net
Even more advice: Exercise, eat right, drink lots of water. Take care of your self. Don't spend every second in your classroom. Take time for yourself.
ReplyDeleteOops, email
Deletearcrow@sbcglobal.net
Advice #1: Assume nothing. Explain EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeletekelly_burnard@hotmail.com
Advice #2: Don't be too hard on yourself. You won't be perfect and things won't go as planned much of the time. :) The good news is that the kids don't know any different! Just go with the flow and cut yourself some slack.
ReplyDeletekelly_burnard@hotmail.com
Advice #3: Take time away from all things school to relax and recharge. Heck, use a sick day once in a while for your mental health! :) You'll be glad you did.
ReplyDeletekelly_burnard@hotmail.com
Well I'm a newbie teacher, so I'm the one that needs advice!!
ReplyDeletetlem22@live.com
But here's some that I learned from my first half year of teaching:
ReplyDeleteBe organized with everything. Thank goodness I am. Or I like to think I am.
tlem22@live.com
Advice #1: Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!! Share your ideas with your grade level team and ask them to share their lessons and activities with you as well!
ReplyDelete-Johanna
jsfica@gmail.com
Third advice.. that I don't tend to follow... is prioritize! I've been printing and laminating cutesy things but I still need to organize my math curriculum and plan for the first week of school!
ReplyDeletetlem22@live.com
Advice #2: Initiate frequent contact between yourself and your students' parents. Establish a positive relationship; parents will be more willing to communicate when a problem arises. This was advice given to me at the beginning of my first year and let me tell you, it is CRUCIAL!
ReplyDelete-Johanna
jsfica@gmail.com
(Followed you on Facebook)
I follow your TPT store. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy advice to new teachers would be to stay away from the negativity or gossip! People will take notice that you are professional and are there to teach. You never know who you are inspiring! :) Bforbes89@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAdvice: Let your curriculum requirements for your state be your guide!!! Get to know those standards and be your driving force for everything you do in your classroom.
ReplyDeleteTracie
tcellis@whitfield.k12.ga.us
Advice #2 would be to stay organized and on top of things! I never left my desk a mess before I went home because I knew there would always be more to do the next day. :) Bforbes89@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAdvice #3 would be to ask for advice and help from others! It is so important to develop relationships with your coworkers. :) Bforbes89@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Facebook and TPT!
Communicate with fellow teachers and staff at your school - you will learn lots
ReplyDeleteMy advice to new teachers is to make sure you get plenty of rest. Wearing yourself out will make for poor decision making.
ReplyDeletebartramsbuccaneers@yahoo.com
I follow on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteOops I forgot my email bartramsbuccaneers @yahoo.com
DeleteI follow on TPT CeciliaB.
ReplyDeletebartramsbuccaneers@yahoo.com
Take care of your students and take care of yourself, communicate ( I said this one above but forgot my email)
ReplyDeleteand enjoy the moment as crazy as they may be
Carole
saysanithc@gmail.com
Kathryn
ReplyDeleteAdvice to new teachers-be ready that first day and plan for more than you think you will need. Also, have a list ready so you can write down all the things that parents tell you when they bring their children in to class. You think you will remember the allergies and how they go home at the end of the day but you will find it is TMI (too much information). Read First Day Jitters to your class. You will identify with this new teacher.
kathrynseals@gmail.com
Befriend the secretary and janitor. They are both huge resources!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog on bloglovin. Thanks for all of the great ideas!
davisk114@yahoo.com
Advice for new teachers: Say what you mean, and mean what you say! Students need to know they can count on what you say. Don't use empty threats or make promises you can't keep.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on tpt. davisk114@yahoo.com
Advice: Be Flexible!!!!
ReplyDeletestacischutte@yahoo.com
I follow FB!!!
ReplyDeletestacischutte@yahoo.com
I follow your store!!!
ReplyDeletestacischutte@yahoo.com
I follow you on FB.
ReplyDeletesn.nguyen19@gmail.com
I follow your store.
ReplyDeletesn.nguyen19@gmail.com
Advice: It is okay to ask help.
ReplyDeletesn.nguyen19@gmail.com
Advice: Just keep smiling even when you don't feel like it.
ReplyDeleteecoan88@gmail.com
I follow you on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteecoan88@gmail.com
I follow your tpt store.
ReplyDeleteecoan88@gmail.com
Be sure to over plan the first 2 weeks. It's better to plan too much so you don't panic. This time of year is stressful enough, so plan and organize.
ReplyDeletejenniferjenkins7777@gmail.com
I 'like' you on Facebook! :)
ReplyDeleterlelr@verizon.net
Following on tpt.
ReplyDeleterlelr@verizon.net
Advice for new teachers: be prepared and although it's hard - don't worry about curriculum as much in the beginning as setting up the students for success by teaching them expectations.
ReplyDeleterlelr@verizon.net
My advice is to take a deep breath and remember why you are there.
ReplyDeleteI "like" you on FB.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on TPT.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to enter the contest (I live in France... the nearest starbucks is in Paris , which is an hour and a half train ride from where I live), but I just wanted to say, that as a brand new teacher, I really appreciate the advice. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteBecome best friends with the secretary and the custodian. They are always the person who will save you in a pinch.
ReplyDeleteFYI: I love your hidden stash bag, I also hide my school supplies from my husband. I think after the one time he saw how much I buy out of pocket I learned my lesson, hide!!
KelseyTeacher@yahoo.com
DeleteIt's OK to feel overwhelmed and even like you might want to cry at the end of some days. Every year of teaching you'll have less and less of those days. :)
ReplyDeleteKatie
I Want to be a Super Teacher
I'm following your FB :)
ReplyDeleteKatie
I Want to be a Super Teacher
I'm a TpT follower too (but not a new one) :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I can't wait until pumpkin spice lattes are back in full force!
Katie
I Want to be a Super Teacher
I know you are busy but in the future I would tell you to read professional books by other teachers, if you haven't tried Debbie Miller, Debbie, Diller, and Sharon Taberski are all great.
ReplyDeleteCarriemcintyre40@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI follow your store!
ReplyDeleteCrystal Shepherd
lucytumnus@gmail.com
Lamppost in a STEM classroom
I follow you on facebook.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Shepherd
lucytumnus@gmail.com
Lamppost in a STEM classroom
My advice is to always ask questions!
ReplyDeleteCrystal Shepherd
lucytumnus@gmail.com
Lamppost in a STEM classroom
Make the custodians your best friends!
ReplyDeleteMarybeth
Gcialini@comcast.net
I follow your TPT store!
ReplyDeleteMarybeth
Gcialini@comcast.net
I follow you on TPT! ctillack@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteBe consistent! Say what you mean and mean what you say! The kids will learn really fast that you follow through with what you say! ctillack@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteMy advice is to stay organized. At the end of the day make sure you have filed any papers that you can, that you've responded to emails/notes, etc...in other words, "try to touch each paper only one time. It will save you so much time! I like to color code things too...reading is green, math is red, science is purple and social studies is blue which makes sorting and filing things so much easier (you can use colored bins, binders or file folders).
ReplyDeleteKaryn
A is for Apple B is for Blog
Kideducator@comcast.net
I follow your TpT store.
ReplyDeleteKaryn
A is for Apple B is for Blog
Kideducator@comcast.net
You will be overwhelmed. It's ok. You'll get through it and be stronger.
ReplyDelete#1 Advice:
ReplyDeleteNot everyday is easy but if you were you probably wouldn't enjoy it! Cherish the students and do the best you can! Ask for help if you need it!
Danielle
dnll.brown@gmail.com
#2:
ReplyDeleteI "liked" you on Facebook!!
Danielle
dnll.brown@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI followed you on TPT!!
ReplyDeleteDanielle
dnll.brown@gmail.com
I'm hoping to cut back on my Starbucks visits this year too. But, since I'm switching from hot chocolate to iced tea, I'm cutting $ and calories, right? That should allow me at least 2-3 visits a week!
ReplyDeleteAdvice for new teacher....smile, even when it kills you! Then, hide in your room, or a good friend's room, and let it all out.
kenney.anne@oakwoodschools.org
Sweet! Thank you SO much for the deliciousness. When you come to TX, our coffee chat is on me.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2013-2014 school year.
Barbara
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI am a former 1st grade teacher and am selling tons of teaching resources and books on my amazon store suitable for K-2! Check it out if you are interested!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main/ref=olp_merch_name_6?ie=UTF8&asin=0590643762&isAmazonFulfilled=0&seller=A1WU61CGOMI6CP
Thanks,
Julie :)