TEACHER SWAP

Yesterday was the day for the 4th installment of Jen's Back to School Teacher Swap at Following the Footsteps. Her blog is listed over on my list of other Teacher Blogs.The Teacher Swap is still open for the weekend, so please go over to get more ideas and to link up with your great ideas.

These are two of my favorite read aloud books.

A Froggy Fable was great to read on the first day of school, because it's about adapting to change. I also have the Kid's version of Who Moved My Cheese, and like it a lot, too.

The author's website for A Froggy Fable is http://www.johnlechner.com/

The author's website for Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen is

http://www.wedolisten.com/

This site has free color, printable posters to go with this and other books, by Howard Binkow.

Something that I am able to do this year, that I haven't done before is have a

"Morning Meeting" with my class. I have all of my 2nd and 3rd graders and one of my 1st graders together to begin the day. We go over the calendar, listen to a book, share, and get instructions, before going to the tables to work. We meet back there on the rugs after lunch to go over the calendar again and get instructions for math, and then I also meet my kindergarteners there. I have had students tell me that they are enjoying this, and I am, too.

BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYERS

Today, has definitely been a Mama Moments Monday, and I was so glad to see the title on the LPM blog, "Back to School Prayers". http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/
Josh began his second year as a teacher in the classroom today. He is at the same disrict, but in a different position, so in a way, it will be a first year again. I am praying for him. I trust that he is going to have a great year.
Kalyn left for college last Thursday. We went to take her a few things this weekend, and to be with my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, after they moved my niece into the same college with Kalyn. We only got to see Kalyn for a few minutes on Saturday, and a few minutes on Sunday. She was stressed with a busy schedule. I am praying for her. I also trust that she is going to have a great year.
Jase has completed 8 days as a sophomore in high school. It is so different from this time last year. Instead of being in turmoil over the move, he is a Christian leader at his school.
Our nephew Caden, had his first day in middle school, in a new town, today. I am praying for him.
Our nephew Zachary,will have his first day of high school on Wednesday.
Melanie will have her first day of college classes on Wednesday.
Our nephew, Camden is in 1st grade.
I am so thankful for my new job, my students, and all of the staff that I work with. I am in contact with so very many students and families with special needs that I am praying for.
I may add more to this post later.
PLEASE, comment to let me pray for you and your children.

TEACHER SWAP @ FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS & TEACHER GIVE-AWAY @ CLASSROOM CONFESSIONS

Yesterday was the day for the 3rd installment of Jen's Back to School Teacher Swap at Following the Footsteps. Her blog is listed over on my list of other Teacher Blogs.
The Teacher Swap is still open for the weekend, so please go over to get more ideas and to link up with your great ideas. This week, she is asking for pictures of your classroom, or even a classroom you have had in the past.

Also, Camille at http://classroomconfessions.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/back-to-school-musings-and-a-teacher-themed-giveaway/ has a great giveaway.

TEACHER SWAP

Yesterday was the day for the 2nd installment of Jen's Back to School Teacher Swap at Following the Footsteps. Her blog is listed over on my list of other Teacher Blogs.

The Teacher Swap is still open for the weekend, so please go over to get more ideas and to link up with your great ideas.

From the others who have already posted, I guess that yesterday was also Jen's birthday. I hope it was very happy, that you have a great weekend, and a great year, Jen.

Someone else posted a great idea for sending forms home that the parents can use when they need to write a note.

I'm going to share something that a lot of teachers do in some form, but if you haven't seen it, you need to.

The link is http://www.teachingheart.net/moosebooks.html

When I taught at a school with Bulldogs as the mascot, I made Bulldog Binders.

I was debating whether I was going to use this with my students this year, and have decided that I am. My students are going to have their

Leopard Folders or Binders.

I have not decided yet, if I am going to use folders or binders. I have to decide today for my students to get them on Monday. Binders last longer, of course, but can be a little bulky for some of the students I am going to have. The students do love having them. The parents don't always continue to look at them every night like we ask, but I do still want to use them.

Ours will include

our class handbook with the student's schedule, our class rules, rewards, consequences, a note about homework/reading, and my contact information;

a reading log;

a parent/teacher communication section with blank paper;

a pocket for papers to take home and to return papers;

maybe a zipper pocket for supplies

I know other teachers who have already begun school came home tired like me last night. I hope that you will find the time and energy to join us and share some ideas!

IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS/COMMENTS AND ANTICIPATION OF TOMORROW. . .

Thank you Patty, Rebecca Jo and Jen for your comments and encouragement.

The students begin tomorrow. I won't have a full schedule, to let them get settled in their regular classes, but I will see all of my students tomorrow.

I was planning to write more, but now I don't know what I want to say.

This is the verse that I shared on my other blog this morning, so I will share it here, too.

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Verses for Tomorrow:
Proverbs 13:3 and 10
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Colossians 3:12, 15 and 23
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

First. . .and second "official"days of work. . .

I wanted to post last night, but was too tired. I am too tired today, too, but took in a lot that I want to share with you.

First, "the bulletin board" was finished last week, and I will get a picture posted tonight or sometime, soon. Not that it's anything that you really want to see, but I like seeing other teacher's bulletin boards.

Now, to yesterday, my first "official" day. It was a great day, even with the surprise of finding out in the AFTERnoon that Meet the Teacher night was last night. It was okay, because I did have my room ready enough to greet parents and students, and only 2 of my 30 students stopped in. I was very glad to meet those two boys and their parents. One very adorable boy with Down Syndrome didn't want to leave my room.

The workshops that our school is offering this week are:
Crisis Response Team,
the computer program that we are using for Lesson Plans, Grade Book and other record keeping,
School Health Issues
Students in Poverty,
Autism Early Signs,
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting,
Crystal Darkness (drug abuse awareness),
"Mrs. Martha Washington" historical presentation,
Understanding Tax Free Annuities


My Prayer today:

"O Lord, how majestic is Your name,
when I, in awesome wonder, consider all of heaven and earth, all of your wonderful creation, I just want to praise You!

Dear Lord, I repent of my sins and thank You for Your forgiveness.

I acknowledge that You are with me today, and will be with me in everything I do.

I pray for all of my new co-workers. I know that some of them have very personal things that they are going through. I just lift them up to You.

I pray for my students and their families, that You will relieve any apprehensions they have about school.

Dear Lord, I pray for myself that You will continue to help me in every thing that I do.
Please equip me to do this job You have called me to do.

In Your Name I Pray

LETTER FROM MR. DOBBS, SUPERINTENDENT AND MY PRAYER FOR A POSITIVE YEAR!

Quotes from the beginning of the school year letter from my Superintendent:
"The best way for us to accomplish this (have an even better year than last of shaping young minds) is to work as a team and support one another. One thing I am asking my principals to do is support everyone being positive and to discourage people from talking negative about other people. I do not want or expect our staff to say negative things about other staff, if you cannot be positive, silence is golden.
Remember the Old Chinese Proverb:
'A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.'
We need to be sure our mark is a plus, not a negative."

Dear Heavenly Father,
My soul praises You.
I repent of my negative thoughts, that come out in my facial expresions and words.
I acknowledge that You are here to help me.
Dear Lord, I am so blessed. There are ones that I know and so many more that You know, that are in hospitals today going through very difficult times. I lift up Carla and Rick Clement and Keith and Judy Beasley to you.
Dear Lord, my heart is praying to you to help me fill it with praise and positive attitude that will come out in my words, smile and attitude.
Dear Lord, help me to always be kind, not rude.
Dear Lord, please equip me to teach the young minds that will be entrusted to me this year. Help me to guide them. Help me to love on them, and to reinforce appropriate behavior.
Thank you God for how you are blessing me!