The Fun Begins!

Today I had great intentions of taking pics of my classroom.  Oops, camera is still in my purse and I am now back home.  Three amazing friends showed up this morning to paint my room.  I can't believe it….   Finally I get to put some color on my walls.

The walls are going to be a sunshine yellow and my tables are even going to get a makeover.  The two smaller tables will be green and orange.  My long table will be blue.  I LOVE color!!!   I will try and get some pics tomorrow.

Curriculum

Yesterday I met with our new admin and was able to lock down a curriculum.  We decided to use A Beka!   YAY!  I have most of my teaching experience with A Beka  so I feel like I am returning "home".  All that to say, I will now need to rework my schedule to incorporate the A Beka curriculum into my day.

I spent most of last evening on eBay collecting as many teaching items as I could for a good price.  The school will purchase new consumables but I figured I could save them some money on my materials.

WooHoo, life is good!

Multigrade Schedule

My proposed schedule:

Time	K-4 (Tues. & Thurs.)	K-5	Grade 1
8:15-8:45	Attendance/Calendar/Bible	Attendance/Calendar/Bible	Attendance/Calendar/Bible
8:45-9:00	Read-A-Loud	Read-A-Loud	Read-A-Loud
9:00-9:15	Letters and Sounds	Word Work/IP	Logic of English C-D
9:15-9:30	Word Work	Logic of English A-C	Word Work/IP
9:30-10:00	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess
10:00-10:15	IP	Read to Teacher	Read to Self
10:15-10:30	Sensory Activity	Read to Self	Read to Teacher
10:30-10:45	Read to Teacher	Handwriting	Writing Workshop
10:45-11:00	Story Time	Writing Workshop	Handwriting
11:00-11:15	Free Play	LA Learning Centers	LA Learning Centers
11:15-12:10	Prep/Lunch/Recess	Prep/Lunch/Recess	Prep/Lunch/Recess
12:10-12:30	Rest Time	Math Lesson	Math Learning Center
12:30-12:50	Rest Time	Math Learning Center	Math Lesson
12:50-1:20	Science/Social Studies	Science/Social Studies	Science/Social Studies
1:20-1:40	Free Play	Oral Review	Oral Review
1:40-2:10	Numbers & Colors	Free Play	Free Play
2:10-2:50	Learning Centers	P.E./Music/Home Ec./Art	P.E./Music/Home Ec./Art

Start At The Very Beginning

Here I am preparing for a new school year.  One of the most exciting parts of teaching in a small private school is the opportunity to change grade levels often.   This year it looks as though I will be teaching grades K4, K5, and first grade.

At first the thought of adding first grade was rather scary but then I realized these are the same students I just said goodbye to in the spring.  They are all great kids and I am looking forward to continuing on with them.

The K4 program will only meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  K5 and 1st. will meet five day, all day.  I am really beginning to like this idea!  I am so thankful that my aid from the past two years has agreed to join me again.  Having a second pair of hands is very important at this level!

As I research my upcoming school year and it's challenges, I have found very little support.  Maybe I am just not looking in the right place.  If you have any suggestions PLEASE share in the comment section.  I have been teaching for 33 years and I feel like a first year teacher.

So, please join me as I embark on this new adventure.  If nothing else, I now have a place to document all the great things that will be taking place.