Monday 30 January 2017

Day 1 Term 1 2017

First Day...

So I got through the first day with the kiddos without any dramas. Aside from not having a clock or bell to let me know the time, the day went as expected.

I began with a PowerPoint in which I told the students about myself, my pets, hobbies and favourite things. The students enjoyed asking me questions about my interests and if I know any Japanese. So I dazzled them with my basic introduction. In between slides I got them to pair up with different people in the class to talk about themselves. They responded really well to the activity and I feel it helped everyone bond.

Next I discussed our bare classroom and how it is a shared space. We are all here using the space to learn so we are all responsible for it. So then I shared my dilemma of deciding where to put the big bulky bookcase. To make the space the best it can be we need to share our ideas and discuss the best possible options of where things will go. I then gave them each a blank paper and told them to look at the furniture and draw where they think it should go. Design the classroom. The majority of them were pretty good and interesting. I am planning to use elements from their designs in setting up the classroom the rest of this week (mainly just the decorating ideas).

Then it was recess so I hit the library. So many books and a just take what you like system. YAY!!! I didn't want to look like a book hog so I just browsed today. Definitely will borrow books for reading groups during library RFF though 😁

And just like that recess was over and it was RFF time. Showed my supervisor the book study unit I worked on over the weekend. She said she was happy with it. Started plotting my first timetable draft... I am sure the first of many versions as always with timetabling. I searched and asked around for a clock to put in my classroom. Stumbled into the sports storeroom to discover witches hats, balls and hula hoops galore. If it ever cools down we are so doing PE games.

Then RFF was over and my stage had team time. One student in my class received a team token for her excellent behaviour. Woo Hoo we may win that class BBQ! It was hi fives all round once we got back to the classroom.

After that excitement died down the lunch bell rang and a BLACK LUNCH was declared. That meant we stayed indoors. Oh no extra duty! At least we had the air conditioner for comfort. Then I couldn't believe my luck the PEG spelling test arrived.

So the afternoon was spent doing 3 spelling tests in a row. Each 50 words or something like that long. Bribed them with the fact that we would play Murder Winks after we finish and not do another spelling test for the week. Little do they know Spelling starts next week so their are no extra tests to skip for this week 😜

So they packed their bags and after saying good afternoon they shot out the door. I put my jams on youtube and began room prep. Moved the furniture around and even managed to find a space for the book case. Tomorrow I will get them to start my getting to know you activities and introduce the behaviour chart. Hopefully everything runs smoothly and we breeze though the school rules.

Kind Regards,
Mrs V

So here are some shots of my bare room. Began putting up some behaviour management posters. Much more to come

Wet area (prior teachers things on the bench)
Front of the room
Back of the room (blurry due to me dancing to Move It Move It)

Saturday 28 January 2017

The Big Day Starts Tomorrow...

Excitement and nerves are rising in anticipation for tomorrow. Although I have been teaching since 2010 so I am no longer considered a beginning teacher I am looking forward to teaching Year 4 for the first time. I have previously taught Kinder (a year), Year 1 (5 years), Year 2 (a year) and a Year 5 safety net class (1 term).

I met my team on Friday and they all seem super nice and helpful. I have read the school policy document and found out I will be having the class for all of term 1. YAY!!! So to start out this blog I will be sharing my adventures with 4V.

So far I have selected Esio Trot by Roald Dahl for my first book study. I wanted something not too long for the kids to read or listen to in addition to their individual level books they will be reading in Literacy Groups. I found a unit based on a Year 3 class online and have began to combine ideas with my own. Adding cluster markers from the continuum and creating  supporting IWBs, worksheets and posters. I want to incorporate CUPS and ARMS editing as well as the Seven Steps.

I was hoping to have the unit finished by now but unfortunately I think I will have to work on it as I go. Which means I will test it out and add my experiences teaching the unit here as well.

I had a brief look in my room and so far it is clean and practically empty. Just the way I wanted to start. I will definitely be raiding the Maths shed and Sports storeroom first thing tomorrow morning. As well as bringing in my posters, etc. Hopefully the students will enjoy my getting to know you Power Point and activities. I will definitely be posting here about them. Well that's all for today so fingers crossed tomorrow runs smoothly 🤞

Kind Regards,
Mrs V