1. New Principal: Our district did some major reassignments of district supervisors and principals this school year. Many principals were shuffled around, and others altogether left the district, while many district personnel have assumed their very first principalships. Our school is in the lucky position to receive the latter. Let's just say it's going to be an interesting year of change with our new princ.
2. Oh Boy!: We are boy heavy with expanding class sizes in 4th grade this year. At the end of May, before summer enrollment even started, I had 17 boys and 13 girls. I dread to see how much larger my class has grown since then, we'll know for sure on August 7th - students' first day back!
3. Heat Advisory / No Lunch Recess Days: Starting school at the beginning of August means returning to triple digit temperatures during above average humidity. If a Heat Advisory has been called, then we have the privilege of entertaining our students during lunch recess inside the classroom. We've been known to have 2 full weeks of no teacher lunches to ourselves with the assigned lunch recess monitors conveniently M.I.A. during this time - I mean they don't even have the common courtesy to offer us a bathroom break! I guess I was spoiled at my previous school.
AAHHH!!! There's only one week left before teachers have to officially report back to work. For me, it's only 6 days left before the meetings begin!! I am a mentor teacher, so that means I have to go back even earlier to meet up with the newbie teachers I'll be mentoring at their summer orientation. The district is offering to open the schools Friday - Sunday with air conditioning, so I'm probably going to plow through setting up my classroom, that way I can focus on unit planning & preparing lesson materials for the first week of school. Hopefully I can finish in 2 days, that way I can share my photos on my Sunday blog post and relax until Wednesday - fingers crossed :D
30 students!!!!! That is quite large. Last year I started with 23 and this year I have 19. I can't imagine 30. It must be crowded.
ReplyDeleteWOW! 30 students...I guess my 25 won't be too bad. I teach in an old building with a window air conditioner and when bodies come in after noon recess my room never cools down. We've had over 2 months of 95+ (more triple digit days than double), so i'm not too excited about leaving my air conditioned home.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
❤Pat
A Time to Share & Create
♬ MY WEBSITE
Fabulous 4th Grade
The heat!!! AH! I had a boy heavy class last year, and I kinda loved it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLayla
Fancy Free in Fourth
Holy Cow! That's a lot of bodies stuffed into a classroom! I'll have 15 this year in 4th, and I've never had more than 23. I can't imagine 30! Kudos to you!
ReplyDelete:) Kaitlyn
Smiles and Sunshine
The first few years I taught, I had 30+ students. The worst was the year I taught first grade and started with 34. My principal stopped by my room before school started to see how many more desks I needed. I told him that I had all the desks I needed since I was only going to allow the first 25 in the room each day. He looked at me and laughed. I looked back with a straight face and said, "I'm not kidding." He wasn't quite sure what to say at that point. (Of course, I was kidding, and I welcomed each and every one of those 34 six year olds.) Thankfully, the district hired another first grade teacher, so after the first several weeks, I was down to what I thought was a reasonable class size...28. Today, Florida has a class size amendment that requires primary classrooms to cap at 18. Much better. Anyway, I just found your blog and am now a follower. I'd love for you to visit back and check out my blog.
ReplyDeleteAmy
www.adventuresinteaching.net
Hi Antonia, I feel your pain ~ all four years that I taught 4th grade I had anywhere from 33-36 students. I think it is insane when I hear about 4th or 5th grade classes with only 25 or so students- What would that be like??
ReplyDeleteWe also deal with the indoor recess thing, only for us it happens because of weeks of freezing temperatures during the winter months. Indoor recess/lunch is my nemesis! Amber @ The Teacher Life
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Amber, I am a newbie blogger and I was just reading your comment and I wanted to ask you a question. What in the world did you do with 36 fourth graders in one rooom?!? Lots of learning I know! This will be my first year teaching 4th grade and I too will have 35 4th graders this year. I am the most nervous about running small groups and planning/grading for all of these students. I've never had more than 28...Any suggestions???
DeleteMy new blog "Miss Milton's Memoirs" (Tales of a 4th grade teacher) www.missmiltonsmemoirs.blogspot.com
30 students, all I can say is wow! I can't even imagine that many 4th graders in my room. I will be thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a challenge with that many students, for sure!! Glad I just found your blog through the blog hop. :) I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Teaching Maddeness
Wow! 30 students...that's a lot of bodies in a classroom! I am with you on the new principal thing...we have a new principal and I'm a little nervous!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and I'm bookmarking it and joining the fun (I teach 4th grade too!)
Stop by and check out my blog at: uncommontothecore.blogspot.com
Nikki
30 kids???!!!? That should be illegal!!
ReplyDeleteJanaye
Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes
Wow, 30+ kiddos! Ok so I'm not the only one with an insane amount of students. Last time I checked at the front office, I had 35 4th graders enrolled in my class. We'll see what the first day of school brings in a few weeks.
ReplyDeletewww.missmiltonsmemoirs.blogspot.com
(Tales of a 4th grade teacher!) My New Blog!!
Hi! Found you on the blog hop. I can relate to large class size. 30+ is what I've had since class size reduction was taken away. Crowded is an understatement! It becomes classroom management! This year they increased class size again and for the 7th year in a row continue to pink slip teachers. They end up for the most part getting hired back, due to retirements and other circumstances. However, new hires, have been at a standstill for too long. I go back to school in a couple of weeks and am trying to get prepared. Hope you have a great year! Please hop on over to check out my blog when you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteYour newest follower,
Tammy
Groovyin3rd.blogspot.com
So excited!!! I joined your blog and your follower hit "100!" Congratulations
ReplyDeleteTammy
Groovyin3rd
I wish you the best in the new school year. I'm blessed to have a really great principal at my building. I hope the new principal you will be working under is successful.
ReplyDelete~ Michael <><
@mgdobishinsky
http://www.thecolorofsound.edublogs.org