Whirlwind

It's been weeks since I have posted, because time is flying by! The first two weeks of school have been the most exhausting and draining, but exciting, moving, and worthwhile two weeks I've ever experienced. 

I have gone to bed every night BY 9:00. I've spent a lot of 10-, 11-, and 12-hour days planning and prepping for the next days, only to go home and grade and prep some more. It is all worth it. 

I have 20 students: 10 boys and 10 girls, and I know I'm going to be a basketcase on the last day of school, because I love them so much already. 

The one thing for which I was not prepared was the information overload that accompanies new teacher training before school starts. Thank goodness, there were girls from my school there to keep me company. Along with copious snacks, we found some ways to stay sane:

After my classroom was finished being decorated, organized, and ready for 20 little hearts, I started worrying about the day-to-day of the job. Here is my lifeline, my everything: my planner. 

I searched around for ages for the perfect one, thought I might design my own like some of my team mates, and became disappointed when I found perfection at Erin Condren, but that it wouldn't ship until September 4th. YIKES!

Well, I bit the bullet, paid the $30 priority processing fee, and my custom planner arrived 4 days later!

Here's what I love about it:

Dates at a glance -- to keep track of those that I would typically forget!

This is where I put my lessons. I actually ended up loving how the subjects go vertically, because I can easier see math for the week quickly...or phonics, ELA, writing workshop, etc. 

 

In the back are a ton of pages entitled "checklist". I used these to record whether a student has turned in a form, as well as for some particular grades while I am figuring out the online gradebook. 

And last but not least, this is one of my favorite quotes about education and it's in the very front of the planner! 

The Erin Condren website has tons of cute things for everyone, not just teachers. Next on my wishlist is a customized clipboard. I carry around different clipboards throughout the day at all times, so I would love a cute one to match my planner! 

Happy Monday, 

Ms. L