Seating Arrangement

This small detail is seriously KEY it is really important to create a seating chart that you are happy with and benefits your students best. Be sure to check out the IEPS to see if there are any special needs and if you are able to speak with parents before school begins (like I was lucky enough to get to) be sure to take down some notes about little things that they say. So and so can't sit next to each other, my child needs to be up front. Just try to ensure that those first day go as smooth as possible. For me groups just seemed like too much of a distraction for the first couple of weeks so they were in rows. Once we got started with labs and more group work the tables changed to accommodate that. I also really liked labeling the desks. I had four rows which each had the same color labels and I numbered the desks with that color paper and a number 1-8. It made for a quick calling random calling system and also made it nice to dismiss by which color row was ready. I really liked it and the labels stayed on until I switched into groups and took them off so it totally worked for me!

Classroom Jobs!

All I can say about this is I wish I had done it sooner... Such a time saver and really gives the students a sense of responsibility. I had then fill out applications, make silent appointments to interview one another, and even vote for who would get the job after they explained their qualifications. The eighth graders were not all about the whole activity but they are more than willing to help out with the jobs.

First Day!

Nerves, excitement, stress, fear, more excitement... Pretty much every possible feeling rushed through me as I stayed up all night and then finally entered my classroom for the first day.
Are they going to like me?
Will I be able to get through to them?
Should I be myself or try to be tough?
Did I really prepare enough? HAH never!
All of these questions and emotions, but somehow you make it happen...

I can't believe that I really made it through my first day. I must say it gives me a feeling of accomplishment and excitement that I have never felt before. All this time I have worked so hard, but now it is REAL!

I do not think that you can possibly plan out your first day perfectly but the more you plan, the easier it is to make adjustments. Be prepared and also be flexible and ready to meet your students where they are with the constraints given.

Basically, I had them come in the room and handed them each a pencil with a little tag that I made. Once they came in there was a survey for them to get started on. We went around the room and each student shared one question and answer from their survey. I introduced myself with a small powerpoint that had lots of pictures. They asked me some questions. Then I showed them a funny lab safety video and had them create a do and don't paper for lab rules.


I also got to go out and hang out with the students at lunch while they showed me how to play double-dutch and basically just got to know them a little bit better.

I could probably write an entire blog just covering first days but I will stop here with some pictures and on the TPT site I have uploaded all of the activities that I took them through along with the actual "lesson plans." However, be aware that because the school that I work at is very CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE these documents fit our specific curriculum and as with anything need adjustments depending on your site and your style. I feel that many of the viewpoints and theories that CLAS implements are positive and could be used throughout a variety of educational settings but I will leave a post covering more of that for a day when I am less busy and more knowledgable.

The first day was awesome! I love my students! Can't wait for a great year!

Science Classroom Set Up

Yayyyy! My very own classroom!

As anyone who knows me should know... I tend to go a little overboard on decorations and such for parties and I am also a little "OCD" when it comes to organization.

My classroom was definitely not going to be any exception to these personality traits.

When I first walked in it is safe to say that it was an absolute MESS as far as I was concerned. Not only did it lack that certain amount of BAM that I wanted to bring, it was pretty filthy and unorganized. Trash and old projects lined the rusty dirty countertops, science materials spilled out of the cabinets, desks were all shoved to the back of the classroom, and it looked much more like a junk room than a science classroom.

After a couple of days of scrubbing and organizing I finally felt that I could begin decorating! Luckily, I  decided to have a Mad Scientist graduation party so many of the decorations from there fit perfectly! I set up a few boards to display student work and also created displays featuring the CLAS content that is culturally responsive and necessary in my fabulous school! Anyways, a week and a half later, by the time Open House rolled around, I have to say I am pretty happy with the way that my room turned out! Check it out, give me feedback, and feel free to steal some ideas!

My huge room! Super intimidating!

Some of the mess...

My door! One of the first things I decorated... Thanks to Pinterest!                                   Some more decorations finally feeling like a classroom

Plan, plan, plan, and plan a little more!

Honestly, I kind of wish that I was one of those fly by the seat of your pants kind of people and that I could teach amazing lessons at the drop of a hat... Maybe one day. But if we are being real, I need some serious structure! No I definitely don't want my students sitting silently with their hands crossed on the desks like little robots. However, when they are running around, having intense conversations, and blowing things up (hey it's science) I want to make sure that I have organized it in a way that they will truly benefit from. Oh and yes I realize I just might make mistakes from time to time. But I sure as heck am not going to make those same ones again next year!

Anyways, I created this planner to help with that and keep me organized!

I bought a binder from target and created the pages inside in an excel document. I also bought some really cool tape to put on the edges, I feel like it just gives a nice pop of color and finishes it off. I have not yet put in the cool little tabs that I made and it is not complete but I really like it so far! There is a place for my agenda, a to-do list, a place for notes, "other", and best of all a place to keep track of changes to make for the following years to come. I am sure it isn't perfect but it works well for me.

If you want the editable excel workbook just download it from my TPT Site!