Yup, I know it doesn't sound like a lot with all these other bloggers who have reached 100, 500 and so on, but hey, I am excited! With that said I want to thank all of you who have been my first followers and thank you for all of your support! What better way to thank you all than to host a giveaway! As I mentioned the other day, it has to do with one of my favorite places...TARGET! Please be honest and only select the options that you have done! If you post about the giveaway on your blog you can use the image from above in your post! Thank you and good luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Yay! Congrats on 25! =) Excited for your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMs. Smith
Adventures of Ms. Smith
And, I just finished my first year of teaching, so I'm still constantly learning! I wish I knew more about parent communication/dealing with parents. I didn't have any bad experiences or anything, but that was one of the scariest parts for me. HAH. =)
DeleteCongrats on 25!
ReplyDeleteFirst Day advice? Keep in mind that you don't have to be perfect.
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
I wish somebody told me about the most effective ways to handle classroom management. It did take me quite a few years to get my management system exactly where I wanted it in order to be effective.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
fsuteach81@yahoo.com
My first day advice would be to plan way more than you will need for the day. Then don't worry if you don't get everything done. Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteHeather
The Busy Busy Hive
Advice for your first day: Like the previous commenter said: Have plenty to do - building classroom community & reviewing expectations will not take all day because most kids know the routine. Also, don't freak out too much because by the end of the day it will all be a blur!
ReplyDeleteYour latest AZ teacher-follower,
Antonia
forkin 4th
I nominated you for an award! Buzz by to pick it up=)
ReplyDeleteHeather
The Busy Busy Hive
I'm not going to get it all right! And its okay to over plan! :)
ReplyDeletefamily74014 at gmail dot com
It's okay not to follow your plan book :) As my mother would say . . . just go with the flow girly-girl. I HOPE I WIN!!!!! Thanks for visiting me today.
ReplyDeleteKelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
kelleydolling@gmail.com
Be flexible. Your plans will change though out the day.
ReplyDeleteLorena
Congrats! You now have 31! :) I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteOn my first day of teaching, I wish I'd known I didn't have to control everything, that not everything is on the lesson plan.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 25! I'm new, too but no where near 25 yet! To help you celebrate, I am sending you the One Lovely Blog Award:) Stop by my blog to pick it up!
~Nikki
Teaching in Progress
I wish someone had told me to stop at the end of the day and write down everything that happened. I realized when I saw your question that I don't remember much about my first day and that makes me a little sad. My first class was so wonderful!
ReplyDelete_Chrissy
First Grade Found Me
chrissyheath@verizon.net
I can remember walking into my first year teaching as a sixth grade teacher. I had to learn this the hard way...
ReplyDeleteNEVER assume that your kids know the basics! You would be surprised!!!
Oh yeah... my e-mail... spthreadgill@gmail.com
DeleteThank you all for the wonderful advice! You have no idea how much it means to me! I am already getting first day jitters from being excited and nervous and all! You're advice it truly helping me clam down...I mean school doesn't start for a month! haha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity. First Day Advice! Overplan and take lots of pictures. You will do great.
ReplyDeleteyvonneeyrg@gmail.com
Something I wish I knew my first day of teaching is that it is okay for a teacher to need a time-out too!
ReplyDeletelittlelori0411@yahoo.com
My advice is don't rush to get into academics. Take your time and make sure that the kids know the rules. Practice your routines a lot! Like how to get in line, how to stay in your seat quietly, how to ask to go to the restroom, stuff like that. I spent my time on that while others were rushing to teach and guess what? My class was wonderful and listening to me while I taught, while I saw other teachers who's kids were driving them crazy. My management is far from perfect and i keep working on it every year, but it's nice and peaceful in my classroom. Also, keep a journal of your first year experiences, you will learn a lot and it will give you a chance to reflect.
ReplyDeletemaribel dot sheehan at gmail dot com
Teach procedures like they are going out of style...and teach them long after you think they know them. And ALWAYS be consistent (I still struggle with this at times but I am getting better!)
ReplyDeleteAllison
www.aworkofheart-blog.blogspot.com
I wish I knew how to manage my time better!! I was really bad about this at the beginning of the year :/ Next year will be my 2nd year teaching... I'm still learning!
ReplyDeleteKatie
Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans
~Be flexible
ReplyDelete~Make sure you know how all of your students are getting home on the first day- double check
~Put all supplies in a bucket, don't worry about sorting them on the first day
What a fun giveaway! I'd love to win.
missnelsonattpt@yahoo.com
Ha, for my first day and every year since I've learned that whatever you put in your lesson plans for the very first day never gets completely accomplished. I'm lucky if I get half the stuff I planned done on the 1st day.
ReplyDeleteYearn to Learn Blog
taskcard123@yahoo.com
Take the first few days to go over {and over} classroom procedures!
ReplyDeleteacupcakeforthteacher@gmail.com
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
oops--- acupcakefortheteacher@gmail.com
DeleteCongrats on 25 followers! A tidbit that I always try to tell new teachers - don't stay at school all night until the custodians run you out! Take it slow and easy!
ReplyDelete✞Heather
Swinging Through Second Grade
hdawntn@hotmail.com
Congrats on 25 followers!! Just a couple of things, which have probably already been mentioned...
ReplyDeleteOverplan. If you think it's too much, just plan a little bit more :) I went from teaching developmental preschoolers to 2nd graders last year. I had NO idea how quickly 2nd graders complete activities!!
Spend the first week (at least) going over rules and routines. It might seem boring, but it will pay off big time in the end!!
Good luck :)
I wish I knew how to better organize myself. At the end of my first year, I had so much stuff to clear! Didn't know how I accumulated so much in less than a year!
ReplyDeleteFind out how each child gets home, if he has lunch or will buy, and if he has allergies or other special needs. Also, make sure you have a WORKING phone number for each parent!
ReplyDeleteLaura
Peace, Love, and First Grade
To always, always, always find out how the kids get home after school! Whew, that was scary for me my first year of teaching!
ReplyDeletekellybrown28021@gmail.com
The first day was a whirlwind. I agree with the other posts to make sure to know how each child gets home.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
loularkin@comcast.net
Congratulations! :) My first day advice is to have a plan for "little things." Where will they put their school supplies right when they come in? (Because they'll want to start pulling them out right away haha). One thing that really helps me is I take a clipboard out to the busses and as my class lines up with me I write down how they got to school right away (what bus #, walkers, etc.) because chances are some may not remember by the end of the day. :) Good luck and have fun!!
ReplyDeleteSugar and Spice
secondgradesugarandspice@gmail.com
Wow! That was sooo long ago. I think the biggest thing I needed was a good discipline plan and knowing that I needed to explicitly teach & practice the expectations several times the first day & review often.
ReplyDelete:)
Tamera
http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com
I found you from the Follow the Road link on TBA. I love your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice blog. I look forward to many more. I am a new teacher - this will be my first day this year!
ReplyDeletedianebode@mediacombb.net
It's been a while since my first year but I still to this day, over plan the days activities and have clear expectations for myself as well as my students. Days before school starts, I think about what it would be like to enter the room as a student. What do I expect them to know, how do I want them to behave, what routines do I want to use, etc. We practice often those first weeks. I feel if I haven't taught the expectation to my students then I have no right to expect them to know and demonstrate it. Consistence really is the key to this. My favorite thing a parent ever said to me was that their child thought I was fun, fair and he liked all my imaginary friends (I teach Kindergarten). Two last tips, don't be afraid to ask questions of your mentor/lead teacher-they were once new too and take LOTS and LOTS of pictures. I still can't remember what boards my students created or how the room was set those first few years. It goes by fast! Best of Luck
ReplyDeletecatherine
jcrcis @ yahoo dot com
This is such an awesome, generous giveaway! My first day advice is to spend time establishing the classroom rules and procedures. Clearly explain all procedures and have your students practice, practice, and practice them. It will save so much time later!
ReplyDeleteDelighted in Second
My email is delightedinsecond@gmail.com.
DeleteCongrats on getting more followers..I think I make 63! On your first day, never assume that the students know how to do anything. Never assume they know how to line up, use glue, sit at a desk, etc. I don't know what grade you're teaching, but some of the things kids don't know how to do at the beginning of the year are really surprising!
ReplyDeleteLora
Mrs. Webster’s Classroom Connections
Oh, and my email is lorajwebster@gmail.com
DeleteOverplan! You can always move some of your activities to the following days, but it's hard to fill time gaps as a new teacher!
ReplyDeleteamynovellino@hotmail.com
Make sure that you go over classroom procedures many many times because if your procedures become routine from the beginning of the school year they will create a much more organized and managed class :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
mynotsoelementarylife@yahoo.com
Procedures, procedures, procedures!! If you don't make sure your procedures are clear for the students, you'll spend the rest of the year fighting for their attention during certain times of your day!!
ReplyDelete-Hilary
hlburton8@aol.com
It' been 35 years since my first day but I have to repeat what I've seen in many of the comments--procedures! Practicing procedures for the first few weeks will make the rest of the year a breeze! Whenever you feel they need to be reminded, go over the procedures again. It is sooooo worth the time invested! Good luck!
ReplyDeletePatti
pattib203@yahoo.com
Primary Pizzazz
Congratulations on your increasing # of followers! I'm your 70th.
ReplyDeleteMy advice is to practice Procedures! Procedures! Procedures!
imgoingfirst@gmail.com
I am following you now, so glad I found your blog! Stop on by for a giveaway just like yours! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://teacherificfun.blogspot.com/
I wish I had been more knowledgeable about Conscious Discipline techniques. I look back on my first job and I see where I could've been much more effective, had I implemented Becky Bailey's techniques for handling problem situations.
ReplyDeleteamelias.schaeffer@gmail.com
Flexibility and overplanning are key to a successful first day!
ReplyDeletekcahcrim@comcast.net
Awesome blog...my first day advice would be to have a list of rules and procedures that you want to cover with your students and have fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by our blog! Good luck in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteProcedures, procedures, procedures. Drink lots of water leading up to the big day because your voice is going to need it!
Crystal
Teaching Little Miracles
kristiandcrystalATgmailDOTcom
I wish I new that it is okay to go off your plans if that is what your students need. Flexibility is key...especially in kindergarten!
ReplyDeleteI'll enjoy learning from another blog! I'm moving from first to second this year and looking for lots of ideas!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 25! I wish I knew about the amount of PAPERWORK you had to do! Plus the many hats you wear each day! Crossing fingers for the gift card! Can't wait to take a trip to Target!
ReplyDeleteDani
Patterson's Porch
I wish I had remembered to just take a deep breath and relax. As long as I looked like I knew what I was doing, the kids had no idea.
ReplyDeleteHeather (heathernnance@yahoo.com)
Congrats and you're almost to 100 now! I wish I had known to fight for what I was due...like a planning period.
ReplyDeleteTammy
First Grade @ Storybook Cafe
dtklinger@gmail.com
Whew! You're up to 81! Congrats on your super cute blog! First day advice...procedures, procedures, procedures!!!! I teach K, and I forget (every year!) that I have to go over how to ask to use the restroom, get a tissue, sharpen a pencil, etc. It's amazing how much time all that procedure takes, but it is worth it in the long run!
ReplyDeleteKim
Carried Away in Kindergarten
I wish I knew that the parents were going to be more difficult than the students!
ReplyDeletepinksmyink@gmail.com
Faithful in First
I wish I would have known that although everyone tells you to stay out of the work room you can't really create relationships if you don't hand around with your co-workers at some point. The break room may be the place your made or broken, at least in my previous school district!!
ReplyDeleteAmy
theresourcefulroom@gmail.com
The Resource(ful) Room
I wish someone would have shared with me their organizational tips of what actual works in a classroom.
ReplyDeleteBrandi
successinsecondgrade@gmail.com
Success in Second Grade
I wish that I had known to just relax and go with it...much easier said than done, but it would have taken so much stress and jitters away from that first day! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great giveaway!
Charlene
kachinan@hotmail.com
I wish I had known Spanish. :) My first year half my class were ESL students.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
liz_lovelace@yahoo.com
The First Grade Jungle Room
Congrats to you! I wish I would have known that it was okay if I didn't get to everything (or anything) on my lesson plan on the first day of school! LOL!
ReplyDeleteѼ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
luvyorkies@gmail.com
I just blogged about your giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteDelighted in Second
I wish I new my day that the back to school dreams happen every year and every year I would still get butteflies waiting for my new students to arrive.
ReplyDeleteLiliris
Fourth Grade Garden
I wish I knew to breathe the first day. You won't be the only teacher with butterflies zooming around your stomach! :o)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
jennkeys @ gmail . com
Wow! Look at you, up to 88 followers! Way to go!! I'm your newest follower. Very cute blog (love the background!!). Good luck with everything! Hope you click on over sometime.
ReplyDelete~Jillian
Just Tinkerin’ Around
Be real. Don't try to be someone your not. The kids will spot a pretender. They will be more likely to appreciate the real you in spite of your mistakes. You will make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteLearning in Bliss
Lots of good advice given up above! As someone who just finished my first year, I'd have to second those that said classroom management is huge. I'd always heard and "knew" to be consistent, establish routines, etc. but as a new teacher, I felt a lot of pressure to really get going on the academics too. I wish I would've spent more time reallllly practicing thing- I think it would've made my first year a lot smoother! That's one of my goals for this upcoming year!
ReplyDeletePS- So excited for the giveaway...I <3 Target!
Oh and PS, my email is firstgradekate@gmail.com
ReplyDeletethis will be my first year of teaching, but i've had fun looking at the comments! i'm having a giveaway as well for 50 followers! come on over and check it out!
ReplyDeleteallie
The Gypsy Teacher
Great give away, Target is a teacher's best friend!
ReplyDeleteKeep good documentation w/o it you don't have a leg to stand on, with it your principal can back you up. Have a great first year! :)
Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
I just discovered your blog...:) I am new to the blogging world (I have been a stalker for a long time) and just trying to learn how to navigate my way through everything! Nice job on your blog....and feel free to stop by mine! www.keepcalmandimagine.blogspot.com Thanks, Vicky
ReplyDeleteNew follower! You're going to have to have another give away for 100 followers before long :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had known to go over procedures FOREVER (few weeks), not just my first day of school. I quickly learned though :)
Fourth Grade Fanatics
Things will go more quickly than you planned - so OVER plan! You can always use it the next day if you didn't use it that first day! :o)
ReplyDeleteCindy
ccfirstteacher@gmail.com
I'm a new follower. Excited to check out your blog.
ReplyDeleteMArybeth
Cialini Chat
My advice would be to establish your rules and routines as quickly as possible and don't drink too much coffee on the first day because you will quickly find out you can't use the restroom when you want to.
ReplyDeletelraines78@gmail.com
Go slow. Take your time over several days to go through classroom procedures and plan for more than you think you will need.
ReplyDeleteOops, my email is eileengriffin14@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 25 followers! I am also fairly new to blogging so please come by and check out my blog! www.happyliteracy.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI've been teaching for 5 years and one thing I wish I knew on my first day was how to best control noise level. I quickly learned that a quiet teacher voice means quiet student voices.
Jenny
jenblair06@gmail.com
I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteAnn @
http://mrsgreeneskindergartenkorner.blogspot.com
I think I needed more balance in my first year of teaching - I tried to do it all and stayed late every night, came in every weekend. I wish I had been more relaxed about it all - probably wouldn't have caught that bronchitis I got!
ReplyDeleteJennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
ingen77@yahoo.com
First day advice?? Stay calm and don't overstress!
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Fabulous and Fun Fourth Graders
jlynns26@yahoo.com
Hi what a great idea for 25 followers! I love it. As for the first day advice - don't try to organize the school supplies with the kids in the room. Just wait til they leave then sort them. It's extra work I know, but you gotta do it. Happy to be your newest follower:)
ReplyDeleteLeslie
I wish I was more organized what I was a new teacher. I'm now a new follower.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
dopey0222@gmail.com
Ooops forgot - thegroovyteacher@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a first day of teaching yet. This will be my first year! Right now, I'm anxious about parents, so I wish I knew the best way to communicate with parents.
ReplyDeleteAshley
arclark2012@gmail.com
Hi! Great idea to have a Target give-away. I hope to have 25 followers someday and may use your celebration idea.
ReplyDeleteFor the first day play a school trivia game - split the class into 2 teams and ask basic questions about the school, your schedule, and where things are. Very fun!
Hope you'll check out my blog too!
Learning in the Little Apple
I'm a new follower! (Just checked out your TPT store... your stuff is so cute!) This will *hopefully* be my first year of teaching. Still waiting to get a call. I loved reading everyone's comments though - great idea!
ReplyDeleteHeather
heatherschmidt411@gmail.com
I dropped by to check out your blog and I am nominating you for the Versatile Blogger award! I love your blog….thanks for sharing it with us! Drop by my blog www.keepcalmandimagine.blogspot.com to pick up your award and get the rules….:) ~Vicky
ReplyDelete