So, I am officially...- Page 3

[Bluemoon]

re: So, I am officially...#50

Posted: 6/13/07 at 12:59pm

Kel- my heartfelt congratulations! Welcome to our noble profession - you're a most welcome and talented member!

I'm glad your school is thriving to the point of expansion. I'm also glad to see that they are keeping the classes small - sometimes it's tempting to add to the enrollment to boost income.

I had to smile when I read all the references to 'we': "we need to have some classes in trailers", "By this time next year we should all have our own permanent classrooms." A sure sign that you've taken to the place!

[RobbO]

re: So, I am officially...#51

Posted: 6/13/07 at 1:00pm

congrats, kel!! give my love to greg.

XING
PED

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

re: So, I am officially...#52

Posted: 6/13/07 at 1:04pm

I just want to know if you'll be wearing the leopard stilleto boots on the first day.

[Bluemoon]

re: So, I am officially...#53

Posted: 6/13/07 at 1:05pm

Why do I think the Fourth Grade musical will be Rent this year?

[RobbO]

re: So, I am officially...#54

Posted: 6/13/07 at 1:08pm

they *might* have to change some of the lyrics in la vie boheme, if that's the case.

XING
PED

[doodlenyc]

re: So, I am officially...#55

Posted: 6/13/07 at 1:11pm

Yes, Curry vindaloo is taboo.


congrats!

"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#56

Posted: 6/13/07 at 5:22pm

I guess I need to add in that this is at a christian school. No Rent references, well overly obvious ones, would be that welcome. Something about heroin addicted strippers that might turn the administration off of the whole idea.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

[2373]

re: So, I am officially...#57

Posted: 6/13/07 at 5:25pm

quick threadjack:

luvtheemcee,

what is this quote from?? It's driving me CRAZY!! I can hear it, I think, but can't place it. Is it from a movie?

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable."

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#58

Posted: 6/13/07 at 5:45pm

2373, that is a quote by L. Frank Baum.

Thank you all again for your sweet thoughts and wishes. For those who are educators you will laugh at this, but I am so excited because I just subscribed to "The Mailbox". I love that thing and I am looking forward to using it in my classroom.

I have most of my curriculum materials here and I am in the process of planning out the general outline of my teaching calendar.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

[singingwendy]

re: So, I am officially...#59

Posted: 6/13/07 at 8:40pm

Kel...are you the only 4th grade teacher, or do you have fellow grade partners? I only ask, because they can be a wonderful resource during your first year. Also, you also might want to wait to do too much planning because they may like to do things as a grade level. Of course, it never hurts to get a head start!

I'm glad you're so excited to get into the classroom. There are many, many, many, teachers who never really had that excitement...even when they were first year teachers!

I'm enjoying my first week off. However, next week I"m back to be the "librarian" at summer school...which really means I'm reading them stories and doing some sort of activity.....so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them!

[cturtle]

re: So, I am officially...#60

Posted: 6/13/07 at 9:10pm

wendy do you have a rainstick? read a picture book that has something to do with rain, and then let the kids hold and listen to the rainstick. they love that

RIP glebby <3

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#61

Posted: 6/14/07 at 4:37am

I am the only 4th grade teacher. The 5th grade teacher used to be the 4th grade teacher so she is going to help me along. I was able to look at the test scores for my students from the previous year and WOW... a lot of these kids are functioning at high school and above levels. That is a tad bit intimidating, but I look forward to working with them.

I wish that the school had a curriculum calendar. I am used to at least a yearly guide, even more so a broken down week to week calendar so that the whole district is on the same schedule. I guess that since we only have to worry about one school building we can go at our own pace. I'll have to talk to the other teachers about that and how they do it.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

[wink]

re: So, I am officially...#62

Posted: 6/14/07 at 5:57am

Congratulations! My youngest will be starting fourth grade in August. I hope her teacher is as enthusiastic as you.

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#63

Posted: 6/14/07 at 1:53pm

So on top of all the fun that has happened this week I just got my initial teaching certificate in the mail today.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

[RobbO]

re: So, I am officially...#64

Posted: 6/14/07 at 1:57pm

best week ever! how's greg?

XING
PED

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#65

Posted: 6/14/07 at 1:58pm

Sexy as ever Robb, thanks for asking. I just got home from having lunch with him at work.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

re: So, I am officially...#66

Posted: 6/14/07 at 2:05pm

is that a euphamism?

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#67

Posted: 6/14/07 at 2:09pm

No, just a simple statement. He only gets 30 minutes for lunch, that's much too short of an amount of time for a euphemism.

Soo...Those of you who are teachers any advice on planning the year when there is no curriculum map or schedule? I have a box full of curriculum materials, but no guidelines for them.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.

[Bluemoon]

re: So, I am officially...#68

Posted: 6/14/07 at 2:52pm

Meet with the Fifth grade teacher who used to teach Fourth. Follow her guideliens for the first year. She knows where your students need to be by the end of the year. As you feel your way through the year, make notes on what you will change, throw out or enhance. You'll have the basic blueprint without having to reinvent the wheel AND the other teacher will be flattered.

[singingwendy]

re: So, I am officially...#69

Posted: 6/14/07 at 3:08pm

Exactly Bluemoon! That's why I suggested she meet with her grade partners...but she doesn't have any...oops!

The elementary music teachers 'sorta" have a curriculum in my district...there are year end goals and we all have the same series, but basically we're all left on our own. The first year I just sort of followed the flow of the textbooks and added in what I thought we needed. Now..nearly 10 years later..I barely touch the music books, and when I do, it's rarely for the objective that the book wants you to get from the song.

This year will be a major challenge, but a good one. Remember, there are other teachers there to help you, and they've often been there, and already solved your problem. Of course, you may have alternate solutions and that's great. Just don't forget you have a lot of experience and knowledge willing to give you a hand.

[picturetaker9211]

re: So, I am officially...#70

Posted: 6/14/07 at 3:36pm

Congrats!!

"Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, take the moment & making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."
-Gilda Radner

[KelRel]

re: So, I am officially...#71

Posted: 6/15/07 at 11:17am

Thanks for the advice guys. I have to run to the store, but when I get back I am planning on calling the 5th grade teacher and getting some advice from her.

"All the while making faces like a baby platypus who forget to take some Beano before eating a chimichanga." FindingNamo in reference to Jessica Simpson's singing.