My first week as a first year teacher!

So it has been crazy. I'm sure everyone can relate to that for their first week as a new teacher.
I am one of two 6th grade teachers at my elementary school and I have 30 students. They are great students with their own personalities that have no idea what it means to be quiet but we're working on it. This week has gone by fast and I'm amazed at how easily it went. Here's a day by day breakdown:

Monday:
I met my students and a couple of parents. We talked about expectations and I passed out their binders and agendas that they get in 6th grade. We also attempted the Class Meeting curriculum which is hard with 30 students trying to make a circle but we made it work. I had students tell me that they liked me which made my day! I had yard duty which went well except I think I stood in the wrong area! I'm still working out the kinks! I love my fellow teachers! They are so supportive and I love that they check up on me. I am the only new teacher in 4-6th grade so I am surrounded by teachers who try to take care of me. We had an awesome day of interviews and learning about each other.

Tuesday:
This day went so much easier than Monday! We were rolling and the students had a handle on being quiet but we're still working on it. My students really responded to the clip behavior chart and I am trying to use that in my classroom. I did have a little girl drama today but I managed it with some mediation skills. I forgot how fragile relationships are in elementary school especially for girls. They were mad over something completely minimal but it is what it is. Unfortunately I cannot say that the problem was fixed. I still didn't teach anything except for procedures. I also started BAS fluency testing today so my students have been doing a lot of independent work. (Which is unfortunate but it is what it is) We did play football today which went better than I thought. I also had yard duty but that didn't go over well STILL! Hahahah next week!

Wednesday:
This day went better than Tuesday and Monday but the noise level is still uncontrollable. However, students are doing their homework and in class assignments which makes a new teacher happy! I put the students in new seats but with a large number of boys who make friends easily and quickly I already know I will have to move seats. The highlight of the week is that we had an "I Pledge" assembly where students are pumped up for the idea of being on time and having perfect attendance so that they can graduate on time with their peers in high school (which is 2021 for my students which is crazy to think about). Since I am the only new teacher in 4-6th grade, I was the only new teacher at the assembly and I had to watch a kid perform Gangum Style then had to perform it myself by myself. It was a trip but I definitely gained cool teacher points and now everyone in 4-6th grade knows who I am. I also set up my absence on the sub system. There are so many things I did not realize were part of the job title that I have learned this week. We also had a birthday today and the mom brought in cupcakes!

Thursday:
Today was a bit of a crazy day because I had my students really excited about the football game we were going to play today during PE. They also had a lot of creative free time while I did BAS fluency testing. I taught math today! Which went well, I thought them integers and allowed them to use white boards which they loved. I spent a lot of time today prepping for my sub tomorrow! These are my first official sub plans and I wanted to make sure they are thorough. I also found out I had to do something special with the emergency cards I had been collecting all week so I spent time organizing that which took a lot of time hahahah and then there was a me error with my printer.  I have a CHAMPS training day tomorrow so my first week of teaching is officially OVER! Can't believe I can finally say that!

Congrats to all teachers who have started and will be starting! I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you and reading your journeys as well. Happy Teaching!

Sarah