Thoughts on the first days

Those first days of the school year are quickly approaching (much too quickly...didn't we just pack up for the summer?) and the gears are already turning, although I don't think they ever stopped.  I do try to spend a portion of my summer re-organizing my electronic folders as well as my content notebooks.  At the end of each year, I make a list of things that I want to change for the upcoming year and I also ask students for their input on anything that they believe could be done more effectively.  As rising 7th graders, I feel that they are mature enough to do so and have used many of their suggestions in the past.

So, as I work on my files during the summer, relax by the pool (or so it appears), go on my daily run, or work on a crochet project, I am still multi-tasking as I plan new things for the new school year.  Pinterest, I must say, has been a tremendous source of inspiration, fresh ideas, and great connections to other teachers. I guess that you can say, even at 5:00 a.m. on summer break, I am thinking about the new school year which will begin, for me in....two weeks.  Oh my!

I just wanted to quickly share some of the biggest challenges that I anticipate for this coming year and, hopefully, someone out there may have suggestions that will somehow make these challenges a bit easier to face.

First and foremost is the challenge of less classroom space.  Some physical changes have taken place in my classroom over the summer and it appears that I have lost a good bit of wall space as well as storage space.  We have rather large classes here...we average 27 students per classroom and, to add to that, sixth grade classes are in portables.  When I visit my colleagues inside the building, I can't help but to marvel (and feel some jealousy) at their large classrooms and the tremendous amount of storage space that they have.  That goes without saying how much I envy their close proximity to restrooms! :-)

There is always the schedule and time challenge.  How do we get it all done in a day's time and, more importantly, before testing.  I have found that good long and short term planning is the key and, after that, it is so much easier to focus on doing the best that I can...one day at a time!

Even as I am finishing up the organization of files and long range planning for the new year, I am also planning in my head (and on paper) ways that I can maximize my space and make it appealing to the eye as well.  As I work my way through this challenge, I will share my experiences...the roadblocks as well as the revelations!

I must say, however, that I have been truly blessed with hardworking students who have a great attitude toward school and who have been willing to work together in our classroom to make it more like a family atmosphere.  That, alone, makes going to work each day so much easier.  I have also been blessed with great teammates and with very supportive parents.  I guess I can say that I have been truly blessed and I truly look forward to another year of more blessings.