Hi Friends!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to see if any of you in Seattle (I wish I could be everywhere else you all are too) would like any random help in/for your classrooms! I am working at REI part-time and at the learning center after school, but I would still love to help out anyone who needs it! I couldn't really give anyone a specific time/date, but just throwing the idea out there! Even if you just need help cutting things out or putting packets together. Whatever =) I can only imagine how crazy-busy your first year is, so let me know if I can help! (Plus, it would be fun to see you!) Also, I had a random idea for a "reunion party" sometime during Christmas break! What do you think? Well, enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a great start to the week! Miss you all.
Love, Mykell

Over your head, you say?

I feel for what you're going through MB. It sounds like you have your own Sam on your hands. I'd say that the girl must feel like there's a reason for her to work hard or to stay on task. Try to build a relationship and keep at it. It gets so old and so tiring- just know that you can't do it all on your own. Try to get some sort of assistance. It always helped having Darlene or Sue just to sit and provide input... maybe a volunteer (probably not a parent!) that can work with small groups.

I'm sure that Aimee and Jacqueline probably have much better ideas than I do... but in general for those toughies... Remember to start small and give loads of praise for the times they are doing well. I would set up an individual system that helps to keep them each accountable- a one size fits all may not work as well. I'm finding it difficult to come up with specific strategies that aren't so "duh" sounding! It's hard when they're so young! I'm thinking of a tracking type card, but instead of tracking discipline it could be a positive- look what you've accomplished this week... or a list of possible choices of things they could be working on when they're feeling distracted. Having a table or desk apart from others is a way to help those who are just distracted by others or always talking stay on task-- even though it somewhat goes against the philosophy of not trying to humiliate or set apart bad behavior... making it a sort of spectacle. Like I said, my brain can't think. :)

For the books: I suggest that you try to head something up with 1) PTA money- try to get a grant from them... I know it's a long shot, especially depending on your district/school. 2) Try with the parents. Have them send in any books that they can bear parting with or gift cards for book stores-- but money is better because you can shop old-stores and garage sales for lots cheaper than barnes and noble! 3) Hit up those book orders. Fairly new teachers with excellent collections told me that they had inherited some but really built up their library with book-order points. Keep your eye out for those. 4) Couldn't the other teachers spare some- ten here and ten there can really add up! I hope that helps... MB, Email me when you get a chance! I have a lot to talk to you about...

In over my head...

Hey fellow cohort A members!

I hope you all are having a great start to your school year! At one point during the day, I found myself actually wishing that I was back in student teaching, so that I wouldn't have to be the one in charge for a few minutes! It didn't last long, and overall I am sooo happy to have my own classroom. I have found myself missing the resources and supplies (especially manipulatives) that we had in our mentors classrooms, however. I have a great class of first graders! Some really bright ones, and three that are giving me a run for my money! I was wondering if you guys had suggestions on a few things:
1- I have a very very very small classroom library. All the other teachers are doing book bags that they send home with the kids every night. I don't have books to send home...any suggestions?
2- I have two distruptive off task students that I am working with, but another one who is not disruptive, and a really sweet kid, but is off task 90% of the time. I am forced to deal with the disruptive ones, but I am having a hard time with this kid, because it is easy to forget and let him be off task because he is not bothering anyone else. HELP!
3- Also, our team of first grade teachers are doing centers. If you have any math center or writing/ABC/reading center ideas and would be willing to share them let me know!

I hope that your classrooms are going well. I would love to hear about them!

Marybeth

Happy First Week!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to wish everyone a GREAT first week at school (I guess just the ones working in Seattle...) I have been thinking about you all and I know that you are, of course, going to be wonderful =) Thanks for all of the updates! I love hearing about everything that is going on... Enjoy the long weekend, and have fun on Tuesday!!!

DW's class...

This picture doesn't really have some of the cool stuff that I have in my class, but I'm putting it on anyway because you can see the high ceilings, huge windows, and old hardwood from my oh-so-old classroom. The other one is a picture of my door... looks inviting, right?!!

I just finished two days of New Teacher Orientation for all of SPS... I didn't see ONE other SPU Ed student.... Not even that one girl from Hartnett's class! :) Does anyone know of any other SPUers working in Seattle? I was pretty surprised! Enjoying my final weekend of freedom... except for the Welcome Back Picnic that ALL of my parents will be coming to!

school supplies

hey. i am so glad to hear that everyone is getting in to their classrooms, or have already started teaching. weird! in less than two weeks most of us will be teaching full time, if we aren't already.
i guess i have a question too. what are you all doing with school supplies? the teacher i took over for made the list but i am wondering what to do when they get there. are you taking them and making them community or letting them all have their own??
ugh...so much little stuff to plan.
good luck all of you and i am loving that we can keep up this way!

ps. anyone know if eleanor had her baby??

So Much Space...

Here's a picture of all of us at Blakely!

It's been good hearing about all of your experiences so far! I hope that setting up classrooms and starting school has been going well.


Today was my first day in the classroom... it was a little overwhelming, but I'm feeling relatively calm about the whole experience. The teacher who was in my room before me is just taking the year off and asked if it would be ok if she could leave all of her stuff in the room for me to use! It's been such a blessing because I have tons of books and supplies! There's no way I would have been able to purchase all of it on my own. She has been helping me set up the classroom and giving me helpful hints on how to teach kindergarten (which will be a lot different than what I'm used to - 4th grade).

I'm most nervous about dealing with the parents (one already asked if she could meet with me!). For those of you who have started: How are you dealing with parents?

A World of Difference...

Wow, so many things have been changing on a daily basis recently. It's amazing to me how I am about to be the teacher that I've been dreaming about since I was literally in 5th grade... Before it was a distant dreaming, more like a future goal. Now I am actually having dreams (if not NIGHTMARES) about the start of school. I've been going into my class as often as I can, and am just now starting to feel at home in my room. My mom and I painted the walls and trim in the room and let me tell you- it makes a world of difference! The room seemed run-down and old before, but I feel like I'm getting a completely fresh start now- which is how I think I deserve to feel! I had to send home my letter to the parents to announce their child's assignment into my class. It went out on Friday, which probably means that no one got it until today... I've already had three parents respond (I asked for email contact info.) and they've each given me four contact numbers and told me some about their kids!! Oh, bright-kids' parents!! I should come to expect it I guess... For those of you who know her, I've been living off of Julie's (my principal) long handouts with the FYIs and the School Calendar on them. I'm going to post some pictures of my classroom but my mom has them in her camera right now. I'll see if I can get them and put them up for everyone. I hope that all is well with everyone, I'm glad we're able to stay up-to-date at least, even when we're unable to catch up more personally.

Hello!

Hi Cohort A!
I've never done this (i'm like a non-tech grandma or something), I think everyone else in the world has. So just want to see if I can do it correct :). I hope you are all enjoying the last weeks of summer. I've heard it has been pretty rainy in WA. When I take the dog out at 11pm, it will still be 87 degrees, so Virginia is a really big change for me~but no complaints about amazing weather from me. I miss you guys and can't wait to hear about your classes and classrooms, and I would love if you would post pictures for us to see!

what in the world have we gotten into?

So I have spent this entire week trying to figure out how to set up a classroom. mary, mary, dustin, casey, I know you are all doing the same thing. is it as stressful for you?? I just walk into there and it is instantly overwhelming. annie came to save the day today and has way better spacial reasoning so helped me figure some things out. but really what are you all doing?? how are you setting up your desks? in table groups? e's? or rows? i can't decide. plus really, i feel overwhelmed by like 5 sets of curriculum. i just need some help i guess or better how you are all dealing with this same story.
let me know.
hope all is well!

Hey! =)

Congratulations Jacqueline, that's exciting! Dustin, how did your interview go? Anyone else have any news?? =)
I have a job at least until next June (I might have already told you though...) I am working at a Learning Center over by U. Village. It has been amazing so far, I love it! I have three students that I work with one-on-one for an hour three days a week (and I'm getting a fourth). Two of the students are 7th graders that were reading at a 2nd grade level when I first met them. They are brilliant kids but the connection between their ears and brain was very weak (couldn't hear the differences in sounds, aka phonemic awareness... Dr. Beers would be proud, haha). So we are going back to the basics and building a strong foundation and working up from there. The kids are incredibly motivated and it's exciting to see them progress and get more confident. Yeah, it's pretty much perfect for me! Now I just have to find a job that will give me benefits starting in September... hmmm...
Hope you are all having a GREAT summer!!! Miss you all...
Love, Mykell

Seattle's Best

I will be hearing tomorrow (but I've already been told I WILL be getting a call) about an interview with my most positive prospective. My former principal is going back to her school as she was just an interim, and mentioned this open position to me. I feel really confident about her and think that she wants me to have the job, but I don't want to get my hopes up for something that might not actually happen. The school is called Lowell and I would be teaching 3rd graders. BUT... The school is the gifted school (it has Seattle's students with the most severe disabilities as WELL as what I would be teaching: APP). The Accelerated Progress Program includes students that are TWO grade levels ahead. That means (theoretically, if we were in the same district) I'll be working with the same curriculum that Jacqueline will be teaching! It seems so strange that I might have a job lined up with that sort of groupings of children. I never really pictured myself working with "the best of the best!" But, it won't have to be a permanent thing (if I get it in the first place!!)... Thanks for thinking of me Monday when I should be having an interview.... :)

Good luck to all of you who are also still searching and congrats to those who have found something!!

yeah!

I am so glad everyone is getting on. So as most of you know I got a contract with the highline school district, where I was interning. My principal called me yesterday and got me the 5th grade position at my school. So I am going to be teaching at Parkside and will get some of my 4th graders again, I am so excited!
Also this is a little random, but my classroom will be the one that Suzannah student taught in.
So just thought I would let you know.
Anybody else here anything yet?

Yay! =)

Hi Everyone! Yeah, I'm on now too... GREAT idea! Hope you are enjoying summer. Miss you all

Just checking...

Hey, just making a post to see if I set everything up correctly... I'm glad we can stay in touch... good idea girls!

Dust

Hey Everyone.

So I thought this would be an easier way for all of us to keep up with each other. Does everyone know how it works? If not email me and I can help you figure it out.