I have a crier...

So, after bragging for the first week that I have no criers, I have one that has cried every day since Tuesday. On Tuesday, he cried almost the entire day, and for over two hours straight. So, that was fun. Oh, did I mention it was about nothing? Yea. That was fun. Ever since Tuesday, he's cried at least every day. Usually because he doesn't want to do something that we, as a class, are doing. Sometimes when he doesn't want to do something, he just sits and does nothing. So that's fun too.

But on a happy note, I have an awesome student with some sensory issues, who is doing so well, and I am loving it. He is able to function so well, with the help of some simple tools, like a wiggle seat and some sensory balls to hold. He's even able to self-regulate, and tell me "Mrs. Flynn, I need my wiggle seat." or "I need something to hold." When another child was very anxious and upset about something, he said, "Mrs. Flynn, I think he needs something to hold." And, it worked! So adorable. I love my kiddies. :-) So much love to go around.

We made it through week one!

Week one has ended. And it was great. I love my 20 little babies to pieces. They are so adorable and want to learn and are really catching on to everything in the classroom. I feel so much better today than I did a year ago after week one. I just knew what to expect and I think I took it a little bit slower and really emphasized all of the procedures so much. Next week will be exhausting, I think. We are really starting to get into the content more, beginning Monday. This week was mostly procedural.

We had no bathroom accidents, only one student throwing up, and only one student got lost. Five-year-olds have so much love and are so adorable. Can't wait to dive in more! Yay!!!!

Day Two and Parent Orientation

Okay, well today was the second day of school - still a 1/2 day, followed by parent orientation at night. I didn't get a great turn out from the parents - only about 1/2 showed. Last year, all but 2 showed, so that was a little disappointing. I hope it isn't a reflection on their future involvement! We shall see... But I felt like I was able to answer questions a lot more clearly this year, so that was exciting. But I still got total dry mouth and red faced throughout the orientation. I was just not created to talk to adults. I deal very well with 4-6 year olds, thank you very much.

I am so looking forward to our first full day tomorrow. It will be a whirlwind, I know, but I am looking forward to it, none-the-less. I am anxious to get into the real routines. Today, I am up to 21 students. I got one at about 10am. I didn't know how to spell her name, what her last name was, or how to send her home. My suspicion was that she would ride the bus, but another girl in my class said -"I live in the project. She don't live in our neighborhood. She don't ride the bus." But she told me the neighborhood she lives in, which is the same after all. Low and behold, she did. Hopefully she got home okay. I found out her full name (and spelling) after the day was over.

I hope I don't get up to 22. I lose one one Thursday, who only started because they're moving to Florida and she misses the cut off due to a late birthday, but can start there if she's transferring from somewhere else. So then I'll be back to 2o. Hopefully I will stay there, but I won't hold my breath. Obviously I will love every little baby I get. :-)

Day One

Oh my goodness. I cannot express the feelings of today. Amazing-ness, perhaps. First of all, watching my babies from last year make their way down to first grade made me want to cry, and actually tear up. They are my first loves, and I will always remember each of those kids. I just love them! They all looked so proud and happy and excited, and one even told me when he saw me in the hallway, "I'm in first grade, Mrs. Flynn!" Oh my loves.

And then there are my new babies. Oh I am just so excited for all that this year will have in store. One child asked for a band aid, and another pulled one off her bloody knee and offered it to him. So much kindness and pure, good kids. Can't wait to teach them how to walk in a line, raise their hands, get someone's attention, respect our classroom, love each other, and learn to read and write. I started with 19, and ended the day with 20, and from what we've heard, we can expect to get more. So, I'm going to keep nametags on hand and pray. I think 20 just happens to be the perfect number...... I won't hold my breath though. They are so cute, and I cannot wait to see how far they will go this year. Just cannot wait. I am so excited for next week. And the one after that. And the one after that. And the one after that. And......

I met my kiddies!!!!!!!

Today, at the Kindergarten popsicle party, I met my kiddies!!!!!!! I am so so so excited I cannot even stand it. Last night, while Brenton and I were going to sleep, I was able to recall every one of my kids names, and I hadn't even seen their faces yet. Now, I got to see their faces! So much excitement. I cannot sleep or think about anything else except school on Friday.

I had a slightly hard time watching kids out on the playground, ignoring parents and rules, but am excited to get my chance to teach following directions. So interesting how parents don't seem to teach that anymore......

I got to bring a couple of kids (who struggle with transitions) into my classroom before and after the popsicle party to see it before school starts on Friday. It was fun for them to look around and to show them all of the cool things going on. We have pretty much all day tomorrow to work in our rooms, only problem is, mine is ready. So, I will probably bring my home computer to work on my newsletter for next week and some other things. I'll make sure that I'm all ready for next week as well, since Friday is all ready to go! I know I will not be able to sleep Thursday night. I just cannot stand the excitement. My kindergarten team thinks it's hilarious (and probably slightly annoying) how excited I am, but I think it's contagious, and others are starting to get the bug... :-)