Monday, August 24, 2009

Back to School

Some people say teachers are lucky because we get the whole summer off from work (summer was only 2 months, not 3 like most non-teachers think). Well having the summers off is a perk, but if I had to spend a entire year around 12 and 13 year old students, then I would have to switch professions. Fortunately, I had a really great summer! I have travled, cooked, rested, shopped, swam, and been lazy. Unfortunately I am now back to school.

My first couple of weeks at school have not been too bad. The first week back to school involved getting my classroom ready, attending meetings, sorting paper work, and figuring out what I am going to do this year. The students' first day was August 10th.

This year is only my second year of teaching. I teach 7th grade math, and I have been reading up on how to make my year better. The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary Wong and Shouting Won't Grow Dendrites by Marcia L. Tate are two books that have really helped me start this year off in the right direction. Things are already easier than last year. My main problem now is how many students I have in my classroom! I'm already 3 weeks in, and I only have about 25% of their names memorized. Last year I had about 115 students total. My biggest class was about 23 students. This year I have close to 160 total, and my biggest class is 35 students. It took me one whole Sunday afternoon to just grade all of my students' papers! However, my students this year are more pleasant than my previous group. . Hopefully this year will be a much happier year in my classroom. One thing that makes me happier in my class already is my Keurig Coffee maker. I can now make a really good cup of coffee at any time during the day, and this always makes me happy! I just hope I will come home before 5:00 every afternoon! Not every teacher leaves at 3:15 (this is another myth believed by non-teachers).

Here are a few pictures of my classroom. I am in the same room as last year, but I made a few changes from last year.

3 comments:

  1. I LOVE seeing your classroom! It will get easier and easier this year. The first year is so tough because everything is new. The second year is a whole lot easier, and by the third year, you'll find that you have quite a good system down.

    I love the lights in your room. Are you able to turn them on and soften the fluorescent bulb glow? And I'm sure the coffeemaker makes a huge difference. I can't live without coffee in the a.m., and I usually have a cup with me all day long.

    Love you.

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  2. I'll be praying that you have a fabulous year! I know you will have an incredible impact in the lives of your students.

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  3. hey Lucy!!
    I'm so glad to have found your blog.
    Your classroom is adorable. I hope you have a great year!
    Back when I taught, I loved that book you mentioned: "The first days of school."
    Good stuff.

    I scrolled down your blog and looked at all of your pics and even got to see the littlest & newest member of your sweet family! What a cutie! You're an aunt!

    Anyway, I hope you've been having a GREAT first few weeks of school.
    I'll bookmark your blog and be back to visit!
    take care,
    abbie

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