I survived (and so did they)

Our first day couldn't have gone any better! It was over before I knew it. The kids were super shy and quiet but I'm sure that will change rather quickly as they get to know each other. I even got a few "yes ma'ams" from some of them. Mostly we talked about class expectations and I showed them a powerpoint of myself so that they could get to know their teacher better. In the powerpoint was a video of Tana doing her tricks and it really cracked the kids up. I think after lunch the kids started opening up a little more but by the time 8th period rolled around they were ready to go! There are lots of changes from 6th grade to 7th grade and I am going to teach them how to handle all of it and maintain all of the responsibilities thrown their way. Aside from a few students that I could tell will possibly cause a little trouble here and there, I feel like it's going to be a great year. My biggest goal is to connect my lessons to their lives and interests! Tomorrow we are doing consensus maps and the groups will come up with characteristics they would like to see in me as their teacher. Hopefully I can live up to all of them as I expect them to live up to my expectations in the classroom!

Hope all you out there that celebrated your first day back today had a great one!

Keep On Teachin' On,
~Megan

Welcome to room 137

Well, I have hit the ground running since I got back from Nashville a little over a week ago. My official hire date at Hutcheson Jr High was August 20th and we have literally been training every day since then. There is so much to take in and remember and I feel like my head is spinning. But I have enjoyed every minute of it and have already made some pretty awesome new friends at the school. There are a lot of teachers my age and we are all in this together and ready for a wild and very trying first year as teachers!

I have been working on my room in between training and while it is not completely finished, it is ready for students and that's all that matters! Hope you enjoy :)
*Note: I did not paint prior to decorating and had to use previous wall colors for my color scheme. I still think it turned out quite nice for a junior high classroom - not too kiddy, yet just enough time put in to show them that I care about our learning environment.

 This is a short note that the students will see as they enter the room each day. I really hope they appreciate it and are motivated by it.

 Front, left side of the room. Here, the school-wide rules and consequences are posted.

Front, right side of the room. Here I have posted the agenda for each day as well as the learning objectives. 

This is our word wall (with Peanuts bordering in honor of mi Madre).

My desk in the back of the room. 

 This is our book recommendation section of the room. The idea is to have students use post-it notes and recommend books to peers throughout the school year. I might have to include an incentive to get things going on this wall ;)

 Another view of my desk. I really love the built in bookcase. It provides lots of storage below! The green butcher paper on the front of my desk is for an in-class activity we will complete this week. I'll post pictures of that once it is done! Right now it simply asks the question, "What kind of teacher do you want?"

I am excited and nervous about my first day tomorrow! Can't wait to update you on how it went.

Keep On Teachin' On,
~Megan

Keys!

Yesterday I went up to the school to see my classroom. In the process, I got to meet one of the APs, Ms. Holland. She was super nice and gave me a lot to look forward to. She said that Hutch is one of the best schools for a brand new teacher to begin her career. She talked about the teachers and staff that all support one another and get along and how the students love to be loved on by teachers when they know you care about them! It really did give me a relief because I had heard some not so good things about the school and I was excited to hear some positive for a change! I am one of about 4 new teachers on the Language Arts team so there will be many shoulders to lean on this year. I also have a "go-to" 7th grade reading teacher that is a veteran. AND, I'm directly across from the Department Chair so that support will be great to have by my side!

I'm in room 137. Here's my door - haha! I took lots of random pictures so I can think of ways to design it while I'm out shopping. 

This was the first thing I noticed when I walked in - windows - and lots of them! I had seen a classroom once where I student taught that had no windows and I could not work that way! I was thrilled to see a wall of windows. Not only that, but our view is of the courtyard :)

This is the view when you first walk in. The big chalkboard on the back wall will soon be replaced with a dry erase board.

This is the opposite side of the "window wall." A bulletin board and yes, a built in bookcase that I am dying over! Such a space saver!

This is the front of the classroom. The projector screen is coming down and Promethean Boards are replacing them. I have never used a Promethean Board before but apparently they are like the Smart Boards used in elementary classrooms. I'm super excited about getting new technology for the kiddos and hey, me too!

The only things I'm not really diggin' are the paint colors. They aren't soooo bad but just not sure that I want to keep them yet. I will have time to paint before the first day on the 27th so I might see what leftover colors I have at the house from painting bedrooms to save a little money!

Keep On Teachin' On
~Megan