Well, I have survived the first 3 days of 1st grade! W00hoooo!!! And I am utterly EXHAUSTED!! I am so thankful to God that I have so far only 20 kiddos. I was told I could have up to 35! I can't even begin to imagine. I am also grateful to have a Para in my classroom helping me for an hour a day. Unfortunately it is is the last hour of the day when the kids are antsy and ready to go home after a long day (they go till 3:45pm!).
My first impressions are that 20 6-year olds for 7 hours a day is a TON of work. I have been working a lot with them on my routines and behavior expectations. It is a lot for them, but I know they can do it with time.
Lesson planning has been the biggest challenge for me, aside from getting their attention throughout the day. I'm constantly saying "eyes on me please" and "mouths shut" and "criss-cross applesauce." :-) Lesson planning for 6 subjects a day seems to be way too much right now. I'm trying to figure out a system as to how to best manage my time so that I'm not lesson planning before school, after school and in the evenings every day and thus getting little sleep.
My kiddos are precious. There really do make it all worth it. There is Brian whose gorgeous brown eyes and sweet smile melt my heart every time. He has a precious voice and is so obedient. Then there is Emily who is an amazing writer and artist. Irving is enraptured by animals. Karla talks a lot and is constantly telling me what everyone else in the class is doing (We're working on worrying about herself, and not the other children). Daniel is really smart and speaks almost perfect English. Anthony is my biggest behavior challenge. He has to constantly be moving and has a hard time focusing. Each one is precious and I can't wait to know them better as the year progresses. And the best part is they understand my Castilian accent (whew!). =)
Here are some pics of my classroom. Thanks to my mom and aunt who were AMAZING at helping me set it up.
Large group instruction area - "the carpet". Some day I'll have a big carpet to put here.
The classroom library (we will soon have the shelves filled with books!)
Supplies area
Guided reading table (once it's cleared off) and some literacy stations
My desk behind those white cubbies.
