Rainy Tuesday

I love when it rains ... especially since we hardly ever get rain here in fabulous Las Vegas. I was so ambitious that I even made a trip to the gym. Go me! I can't believe that tomorrow is August 1st. That is when the school panic sets in and I realize that very soon I will be in my classroom preparing for my new third graders. How exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

I found quite a few linkys that I would like to participate in today. I'm starting with Amanda over at Teaching Maddeness for a New School Year Resolutions linky party. This is so perfect because at the beginning of every school year I always say I am going to do things that I never end up doing. Now it will be here on my blog. Here are my new school year resolutions.

1. Just Say No! - When people ask me to do things or help plan things I always say yes. Then I end up stressed out because I have no time to do what I need to do both at work and at home. I vow to not overload my plate with things I can't handle.
2. Maintain a nice, neat desk - My desk always starts out nice and neat but by the end of the day, forget about it. I end up with piles of papers, materials I use to teach that day that I don't put away, etc. Not this year!
3. Do not bring home work with me over the weekend - this is something that happens without fail. I get so behind that I can't keep up and am forced to do work over the weekend. This leads me to my final resolution.
4. Do not get behind - I am not sure how I will manage this yet but I will figure it out.

Next I am linking up with Jodi from Fun in First for a What's Your Favorite Back to School Activity linky party. The beginning of the year is a fun time to get to know students as well as teach rules, routines, and procedures. That very first day of school can be chaotic. Students are coming in and they have supplies they want to give you. They are trying to get settled and you are running around like a mouse. What I did last year was I put a small can of play dough on each student's desk. They were instructed to come in, find their seat, place all supplies under their desk and create something with the play dough.This keeps them occupied while I am trying to get them all settled in. This is also a good time to start collecting supplies. Usually they have them at a decent price at Walmart.

Another thing I do is send home a letter a week or two before school starts to each of my future students. In the letter I ask them to bring in something special that means a lot to them and to bring in a favorite book. Throughout the first week we share our books and treasures.

Thank you to Pam over at Pocketful of Center for giving me the One Lovely Blog Award!

1. Follow the person who gave me the award

2. Link back to the person that gave me the award

3. Pass to 15 new bloggers and let them know they received the award

I am passing the award to the following blogs. Ok so I only did 4.

 

Third Grade Mission to Knowledge

Where Seconds Count

First Grade Found Me

Totally Terrific in Texas