It's All About That Schedule (and Currently too!)

It's all about that schedule, that schedule, that schedule.  I'm always waiting on pins and needles to find out what time enrichment, lunch and recess will be.  It's like I can finally starting planning once I have that schedule.

To give you a background, I'm a first grade teacher at a private Christian school.  This year I have 18 sweet kiddos.  It feels like a wonderful number since I had 21 last year!
I've been lucky that the past two years, my schedule has pretty much stayed the same.  The bonus is that I have a break about every 1 1/2 hours.  I think it works well for the students too.

Students arrive between 8 - 8:25.  As the year trickles on, I don't really have any students until about 8:15.  They unpack their book bag and get started on their morning work.  Let's be honest, it's a bit of a social hour as the year progresses too.

Everyday we have Praise & Worship.  Seriously, I feel so grateful to work at this school!  We head to the worship center, sing songs, and have a short devotional about the word of the month.  It really centers our day and everyone leaves in a good mood!

Readers Workshop - This covers reading groups, centers, and phonics lessons.  Usually I start with the phonics lesson and then have a snack break before starting reading groups.  It's a busy time of the day because I feel pulled in so many directions.

Next up is recess and PE.  They have 20 minutes of PE followed by 20 minutes of recess.  On Tuesdays, they have a full 40 minutes of recess with the other first grade class.

Math is probably my favorite time of day!  We usually start in our math journals using daily editing word problems (my favorite purchase on TpT ever), or interactive notebook activities.  I use Reagan Tunstall's math notebook and Angie's notebooks that I won last month.  I like the variety between both - Regan's allows me to introduce some concepts earlier than I would have (like measurement) so they kids are completely shocked by it when it comes up.  I really like how Angie's notebooks are grouped by category because then I can easily pull up topics we are covering in class.

This usually take about 20 minutes of our math block.  I usually do a whole group lesson (I know, I know, but I don't think I have the time or energy to do small group math), students work independently, and then go to math stations.  

We are excited when math ends because it's lunch time.  We used to have a lunch duty every other week for about two years, but the principal let us give it up a few weeks ago.  All of the teachers rejoiced! :)

Writers Workshop includes a grammar lesson followed by a independent writing time.

We have enrichment everyday - library, computer, music, art, etc.

I end the day with a Bible, Science or Social Studies lesson.  I usually do Bible two to three times per week.  Science and Social Studies alternate depending on our theme.

Be sure to check out all of the other schedules!

I also finished my Currently for the month!  I'm on a roll for the morning!

July Currently

I was thrown for a loop when I saw that Farley posted the July currently right after I did my post yesterday!! Everyone posted theirs so fast!

Listening

I'm staying at my parents' house in NC and that grandfather clock goes off every hour and half hour.  Somehow I manage to sleep through it at night though.

Loving

I love not having to be anywhere at a certain time in the summer.  I had the hardest time getting somewhere on time last week - my appointment was scheduled for 9am and I was rushing!  I don't know how I ever got to work at 7am!

I've enjoyed the pool AND reading for fun!  That's what summer is all about.

Thinking

As much as it is nice to visit my parents and brother, I really miss my husband and my dogs.  My dad's health isn't too great and the visit is a little stressful.  I wish my husband was here to hug on me. Three more days!

Wanting

To me the beginning of July is a little sad.  It marks that there is one month left until school returns.  I hope July goes by slowly, but it's a packed month for me.

Needing
My sister-in-law asked if I wanted to go to the beach today.  Is that even a question?  We are headed to Wilmington, NC - it's about a 2 hour drive from where we are.  (All I think about is Dawson's Creek when I hear Wilmington.)  I used up all of my sunscreen at the pool yesterday, so I need to make sure to stop and get some on the way.

Level 125 on Candy Crush - Help me!  I've only been stuck there for 2 days, so it's not completely awful.

Tips, Tricks and Hints
I love blogs that are authentic.  You can usually tell when someone is trying to act like someone they are not.  Stick with it too!  You should blog when you have something to say and not blog for numbers.  Because that's not fun anyhow!

Today is the last day for the Bloglovin giveaway.  I'll announce a winner (or maybe two) tomorrow morning.
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April Currently

I'm fashionably late to the party!  Here's my Currently for April!

Listening - I just started watching reruns on the Big Bang Theory. Sheldon cracks me up, but he does get annoying real fast!

Loving - Spring has arrived (until tomorrow when it's supposed to be in the 40's). At least it was in the 60's and sunny today!

Thinking - I struggle with getting my centers organized and ready each month.  I'm hoping to organize them as a summer project.  

Wanting - I tried quitting Diet Coke yesterday.  I have failed so far.  One time I gave it up for 6 weeks.  The first week I lost 3 pound alone! I know I need to do this.  For my wallet and my health!

Needing - The class serious must eat glue sticks. I've now taken their glue sticks out of their table bins and they can only use them for our in class craft activities.  I think I'm going to hoard them this summer when they go on sale for 25 cents.

Advice - Think before you speak.  I need this remember this!  I always stick my foot in my mouth and I hate it!! (Ok, so when I went to link up it said give advice for blogging, creating, etc.  Oops....teachers need to read directions! This was meant as general life advice!)

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