I wish these “people in charge” who are so knowledgeable, understood how stressful, unrealistic, and ridiculous it is to expect us to crank out quality level curriculum on the first 3-5ish days of school.
For Specials, it's pretty necessary since time is short. My last school did the complete opposite (wanted us to do intros & relationships the first 2 weeks)... so unrealistic for us
If you aren't teaching them quality level curriculum in the first week, what are you doing in all that time? I'd freaking hate not teaching them any curriculum in the first week. Our math is always reviewing basic number curriculum from the previous year, and we unpack the writing task, but our reading activities/phonics based activities start in the first week. Setting those routines and expectations asap. I've seen teachers that do heaps of getting to know you stuff and they end up knowing the kids great but the quality of the students learning and general behaviour is not good when compared to the other classes.
You hit the nail on the head on so many things in this video! No tired like first week of school teacher tired is an understatement! It’s the time of year that you are the most motivated and have the least amount of energy! I seriously love all the things that you do and I’m so excited to spend the year teaching alongside you! I hope you had an amazing first week!
In your last video you mentioned letting students choose a seat on the first day. This will be my 28th year of teaching and I have always done this. I learn a lot about them very quickly. Also, I have used the band aid lesson for several years. It’s very effective. Once, I had a college student working in my room. Her professor was there to observe. A student became disgruntled and I quietly said to her, remember the bandaid. The student’s attitude immediately changed. The professor asked me about it afterwards and now she uses it with preservice teachers in a student teaching seminar.
I'm a former teacher who now homeschools our 4 kids. My videos and business are all homeschool based BUT aside from learning so much from you I find myself wishing my 4th grader had a seat in your class! You're already doing so much good, even if you feel like you're already on the hamster wheel. Cheering for you!❤❤
Thanks so much for documenting and sharing your experience. There's really nothing like the first days of school lol. Your passion and enthusiasm is contagious, and reminds me of all the things I love about teaching. I hope you're having a restorative weekend!
Delegate some of the work out to the kiddos. Find a responsible group to label the journals. Pull the clock down and adjust when time permits. Go over what you need and start curriculum when you can. I know you’re a pro and I’m not suggesting anything you don’t already know…you’ve got this!!! Have a blessed SY!!!
I start back to school this week. Thank you so much for this video! It helped me so much because of your wonderful ideas. I also appreciate how relatable you are and you get all of it!
Michelle, Thank you for bringing back My "Teacher Sundays" on here. I only hope that you will have a more supportive school year and that the school that you are teaching in now acts like they want you there among them. - Dwight
I’ve been so interested in this series !! It’s so refreshing and informative. I’m only 21 years old but I look forward to your new videos all the time !!
I just love your videos! I’ve been watching some of your old videos when you taught in MD. It broke my heart to see you so stressed and devolve into tears as often as you did. It’s clear this move was a great one! It’s really nice to see you so excited about every step in this process. Although I’m a private piano teacher of 30+ years, I always get great ideas from you for my studio. Thank you for all you do!🙏🙏
I had 24 of my 27 students come to Open House PLUS students from the past two years who came to visit. Overwhelming but so much fun to see/meet everyone! Oh, and this year, 17 of my 27 students are new to the school. The fun begins tomorrow (August 19)! 😊
Michelle, happy first day of school! We had our first day of school with students on Monday, August 19. I appreciate the creative ideas you shared. I hope you are getting rest and rejuvenation when you can! 💜
I am so happy for you! You can see the joy radiating off of you 😊 this year is my 6th year as a 6th grade teacher, but our students return after Labor Day, so these vlogs have made me so excited for this year!
I watched your teaching videos throughout the beginning of my college journey imagining what my first year will be like... now I'm just about to begin my first year as a 5th grade teacher! So nice to see you getting back into the classroom!
School districts that jump into curriculum inside the first 3-4 days of a school year I just don’t understand. Those first 3-4 days are for building the classroom community before you jump into curriculum. Your students are so lucky to have you as a teacher! I totally understand the “brain is mush”. I lost count on how many times you have said it in your videos! My brain is mush too and my sleep has been trash because of anxiety in my job (trying all the things and nothing works)!
I’m really glad you found the love of in person teaching again!!! What happened to all your teacher clothes from when you taught before? I remember the last few years of teaching you decided to start dressing up everyday which I loved seeing how you would style yourself!
Thank you for sharing this video! I really enjoyed hearing about how you prepared for your first day of school. Be patient with yourself and try not to get overwhelmed with your never ending teacher to do list. Everything really is going to be fine! You’re a fantastic teacher of both, students and teachers! Don’t forget that! 😊
I always over plan for the first week because you never know how long things will be going over procedures and expectations. We do Saving Fred every spring in Science during our testing week. The kids love it especially eating the candy afterwards! Being departmentalized is so great! I think you will love it like I do. Your enthusiasm is wonderful to see and your students will be blessed to have as their teacher.
Since your school theme is gardening, please check out the book, Mrs. Spitzers Garden. It's a great book that goes along with the analogy that your principal used. I read it every year at the beginning and the end of the year. I love it!
Michelle you seem ridiculously happy and I’m here for it! Thank you for bringing us along. I grabbed a cup of coffee and enjoyed your video as part of my Sunday routine.
Remember to breath, Michelle. And I would definitely focus more on procedures than activities this first week. You may have to dive into curriculum, but that doesn't mean you can't incorporate that with your procedures. At least you have kiddos a bit older (I teach 2nd) and will catch on a bit faster. Have a great week!
We are year around so we have been in school for 6 weeks already and will track our in Sept. I love the saving Fred activity and think that would be a great one to do when we track back in to get them started for the new quarter!
Congrats on your first days of school!! Welcome back to the trenches! Thank you for vlogging during the craziest and busiest days of the year, and know that you are a wonderful inspiration!
Thank you for keeping it real! Teaching is challenging, but I wouldn't do anything else for a career. Thank you so much for all of your ideas! My co-worker and I were comparing ideas for new activities. We discovered that we follow you and Bridging Literacy here on RUclips. We have many things that we will both be trying from both you. Thanks again!
You are so awesome and I can relate to you a lot. I am not a teacher yet, but I do like going the extra step even though it makes me an Overthinker.😅❤ also I’m so glad that you’re staying fit. That is something I need to get back into as well. Keep up the great work you’re rocking and rolling!
Happy first day! It's obvious you are happy. I've always enjoyed your videos but this series has been so much fun! Also, I love your Saving Fred slides. You need to share those! Rest and give yourself grace. Remember you can't pour from an empty cup!
Mrs. Emerson, Welcome Back! I am sure you will do phenomenal. You are an amazing teacher and mentor for me. Much blessings and can't wait to learn with you! 🎉😊
I love the two rules!!! Don’t over whelm yourself !!!! I love the band aide idea; running sped and 6-12 grade room I am using it this year. I love have to or wait time., Set up dates on a calendar for you time too!!
Isn’t this a classroom vlog? I obviously won’t be vlogging while teaching or during contract hours so my vlogs will be captured before and after school, just like this one.
I really love your school's theme. My school is actually doing the theme of Lessons from a tree. So every couple of months the term changes. The first theme we going is from tiny seeds grow mighty trees.
My district just did this for the first time this year, welcome wagon. You would not believe that amount of parents complaining saying it was a violation of privacy to come to their house 🥺
Wow! You have to start curriculum on Day 2? I need more time to teach procedures. In my old school district, there was a "First 10 Days of School" mini curriculum for K-8th grades (basically the 2 weeks before Labor Day) . It was very light, so you could focus on routines. ❤❤❤❤This coming year, I convinced my instructional coach to let me start the curriculums on Week 3. Usually it's Week 2. During that time, I've planned routines as well as a lot of diagnostic activities, so I know where the students are. Then I can group them more accurately and be ready on Week 3, Day 1. One thing, that might help is that I'm not in a testing grade this year. Although last year I taught 5th grade, and I started in the middle of Week 2. Godspeed to you. ❤
I loved this vlog. So true. I forgot how tiring it was working at school until I came home after our first day today and I'm like "why is my brain mush?" lol. It's so true. Hope you're doing better! Take all the time you need. I know your students must love you already. I had a few of my old students today and it was fabulous. Rest up!
I loved doing Saving Fred with my 5th graders last year! I tried it with my niece when she in 1st grade last year. It gives me confidence that my 2nd graders this year will be able to do it. I also do an activity I learned from Bridget with puzzles and a blindfold. That was fun. We have a schoolwide team building session every morning first thing called CREW. I will be doing several of those activities at that time. 😊
Came to say the same. Unmanageable with how big our school catchments can be. I also don’t know how comfortable either party would be about their teacher turning up at their door…
thank you for the inspiration :) I'm teaching college but I gained a lot of motivation from you hahah.. kids are so lucky to have you as their teacher ^_^ tomorrow is my first day of school too~
I don’t try to teach for real until the second week. It’s impossible. 😅 procedures and getting to know my students is my priority week one. I do academic things but never make it wild.
Tiredness is real. You've been outta the game for a little while doing other good stuff. So, be kind to yourself. You'll get your teaching groove back like riding a bike. It's always good to be over prepared. As they say, better to have more than less.
how many kids are in each group for saving Fred? Do you have like five Fred stations at once? Because usually if I do things in one group there's always one or two kids giving up or sitting around doing nothing while the others are hogging the activity.
I love your channel! Do you have recommendation for a voice amplifier? I have a student this year who has hearing loss but doesn’t qualify yet for hearing aids. Was thinking this might help🤷♀️
Isn’t this a classroom vlog? I obviously won’t be vlogging while teaching or during contract hours so my vlogs will be captured before and after school, just like this one.
I don't have to start curriculum until the 2nd week. We only have a 3 day week the first week and I want to spend it on team building and routines. So I'm over here like dear lord what do I do for 3 days?!?!
I wish these “people in charge” who are so knowledgeable, understood how stressful, unrealistic, and ridiculous it is to expect us to crank out quality level curriculum on the first 3-5ish days of school.
Amen. I just commented how I convinced my leadership to give us more time.
We were expected to start on day 2. How about getting to know the students? So frustrating!
For Specials, it's pretty necessary since time is short. My last school did the complete opposite (wanted us to do intros & relationships the first 2 weeks)... so unrealistic for us
If you aren't teaching them quality level curriculum in the first week, what are you doing in all that time? I'd freaking hate not teaching them any curriculum in the first week. Our math is always reviewing basic number curriculum from the previous year, and we unpack the writing task, but our reading activities/phonics based activities start in the first week. Setting those routines and expectations asap. I've seen teachers that do heaps of getting to know you stuff and they end up knowing the kids great but the quality of the students learning and general behaviour is not good when compared to the other classes.
@@miss_mishWe’re getting to know them, review previously learned material from the previous school year, and building routines. Simple as that.
A teacher's job is literally never done, that's why we have to set protective boundaries for ourselves. :)
Esp. if you have issues with perfectionism & hypervigilance
The first month of school, and the weeks leading up to it, are crazy. Hopefully she won’t have anymore all nighters. Teachers can only do so much.
My favorite analogy that I relate to students: "When a flower fails to bloom, you adjust the environment, not the flower."🥀
Beautiful analogy! ❤
I love that so much.
It cracks me up how many times you say, “it’s fine…everything will be fine”. 😂😂😂
You made it!! Yes, a weekly, bi weekly or even monthly blog will be fine! BREATHE..you got this!!!
You hit the nail on the head on so many things in this video! No tired like first week of school teacher tired is an understatement! It’s the time of year that you are the most motivated and have the least amount of energy! I seriously love all the things that you do and I’m so excited to spend the year teaching alongside you! I hope you had an amazing first week!
You are doing amazing not only as a teacher but pumping all this content weekly. ❤. Breathe and enjoy your best life yet. 🎉
In your last video you mentioned letting students choose a seat on the first day. This will be my 28th year of teaching and I have always done this. I learn a lot about them very quickly. Also, I have used the band aid lesson for several years. It’s very effective. Once, I had a college student working in my room. Her professor was there to observe. A student became disgruntled and I quietly said to her, remember the bandaid. The student’s attitude immediately changed. The professor asked me about it afterwards and now she uses it with preservice teachers in a student teaching seminar.
I'm a former teacher who now homeschools our 4 kids. My videos and business are all homeschool based BUT aside from learning so much from you I find myself wishing my 4th grader had a seat in your class! You're already doing so much good, even if you feel like you're already on the hamster wheel. Cheering for you!❤❤
Girl! I’m still on summer break, and watching you is exhausting me! I hope you can slow down a little now that school is started!!! ❤
Thanks so much for documenting and sharing your experience. There's really nothing like the first days of school lol. Your passion and enthusiasm is contagious, and reminds me of all the things I love about teaching. I hope you're having a restorative weekend!
Delegate some of the work out to the kiddos.
Find a responsible group to label the journals. Pull the clock down and adjust when time permits. Go over what you need and start curriculum when you can.
I know you’re a pro and I’m not suggesting anything you don’t already know…you’ve got this!!! Have a blessed SY!!!
I start back to school this week. Thank you so much for this video! It helped me so much because of your wonderful ideas. I also appreciate how relatable you are and you get all of it!
Michelle,
Thank you for bringing back My "Teacher Sundays" on here.
I only hope that you will have a more supportive school year and that the school that you are teaching in now acts like they want you there among them.
- Dwight
I’ve been so interested in this series !! It’s so refreshing and informative. I’m only 21 years old but I look forward to your new videos all the time !!
I just love your videos! I’ve been watching some of your old videos when you taught in MD. It broke my heart to see you so stressed and devolve into tears as often as you did. It’s clear this move was a great one! It’s really nice to see you so excited about every step in this process. Although I’m a private piano teacher of 30+ years, I always get great ideas from you for my studio. Thank you for all you do!🙏🙏
I had 24 of my 27 students come to Open House PLUS students from the past two years who came to visit. Overwhelming but so much fun to see/meet everyone! Oh, and this year, 17 of my 27 students are new to the school. The fun begins tomorrow (August 19)! 😊
Have a great first day 🎉
I love to go to school with my friends! We all learn new things like math and music and science together!!
Michelle, happy first day of school! We had our first day of school with students on Monday, August 19. I appreciate the creative ideas you shared. I hope you are getting rest and rejuvenation when you can! 💜
I am so happy for you! You can see the joy radiating off of you 😊 this year is my 6th year as a 6th grade teacher, but our students return after Labor Day, so these vlogs have made me so excited for this year!
Your room looks amazing, and i know everything else will work itself out. Cant wait to hear how your first week went.
I remember being so tired but not being able to sleep because I kept thinking about what I needed to do.
I watched your teaching videos throughout the beginning of my college journey imagining what my first year will be like... now I'm just about to begin my first year as a 5th grade teacher! So nice to see you getting back into the classroom!
School districts that jump into curriculum inside the first 3-4 days of a school year I just don’t understand. Those first 3-4 days are for building the classroom community before you jump into curriculum. Your students are so lucky to have you as a teacher! I totally understand the “brain is mush”. I lost count on how many times you have said it in your videos! My brain is mush too and my sleep has been trash because of anxiety in my job (trying all the things and nothing works)!
all nighter??! again?! girl!! we r out here worried about the trajectory of this experience! lol too soon for that!
Love your videos but I’m worried at the end of first day of school you’ve already pulled 2 all nighters
I love how you sound so Texan already saying "y'all ", GO TEXAS TEACHERS!!! I teach 8th grade ELAR at Katy ISD (27 years & counting)
I’m really glad you found the love of in person teaching again!!!
What happened to all your teacher clothes from when you taught before? I remember the last few years of teaching you decided to start dressing up everyday which I loved seeing how you would style yourself!
Thank you for sharing this video! I really enjoyed hearing about how you prepared for your first day of school. Be patient with yourself and try not to get overwhelmed with your never ending teacher to do list. Everything really is going to be fine! You’re a fantastic teacher of both, students and teachers! Don’t forget that! 😊
Thanks for all nice ideas. I made the notebook gift to my co-workers inspired by you! I wish I could send you the pics!
I always over plan for the first week because you never know how long things will be going over procedures and expectations. We do Saving Fred every spring in Science during our testing week. The kids love it especially eating the candy afterwards! Being departmentalized is so great! I think you will love it like I do. Your enthusiasm is wonderful to see and your students will be blessed to have as their teacher.
Since your school theme is gardening, please check out the book, Mrs. Spitzers Garden. It's a great book that goes along with the analogy that your principal used. I read it every year at the beginning and the end of the year. I love it!
Hey Michelle could you please do a video with all those fabulous activities you talk about? I love your videos!!
Michelle you seem ridiculously happy and I’m here for it! Thank you for bringing us along. I grabbed a cup of coffee and enjoyed your video as part of my Sunday routine.
Oh, beginning of the year overwhelm is so real! I have kids showing up first thing tomorrow morning! Take care!
Remember to breath, Michelle. And I would definitely focus more on procedures than activities this first week. You may have to dive into curriculum, but that doesn't mean you can't incorporate that with your procedures. At least you have kiddos a bit older (I teach 2nd) and will catch on a bit faster. Have a great week!
We are year around so we have been in school for 6 weeks already and will track our in Sept. I love the saving Fred activity and think that would be a great one to do when we track back in to get them started for the new quarter!
Congrats on your first days of school!! Welcome back to the trenches! Thank you for vlogging during the craziest and busiest days of the year, and know that you are a wonderful inspiration!
Thank you for keeping it real! Teaching is challenging, but I wouldn't do anything else for a career. Thank you so much for all of your ideas! My co-worker and I were comparing ideas for new activities. We discovered that we follow you and Bridging Literacy here on RUclips. We have many things that we will both be trying from both you. Thanks again!
I’m 25 years in and the first week frazzle is REAL! 😊
I'm so happy for you Michelle! Your school sounds AMAZING!!! So excited to go with you along the journey! 🖤🖤🖤
Seeing your teacher vlogs is so refreshing! Thanks for sharing this journey with us! I remember seeing your videos when I was in college
You are so awesome and I can relate to you a lot. I am not a teacher yet, but I do like going the extra step even though it makes me an Overthinker.😅❤ also I’m so glad that you’re staying fit. That is something I need to get back into as well. Keep up the great work you’re rocking and rolling!
Happy first day! It's obvious you are happy. I've always enjoyed your videos but this series has been so much fun! Also, I love your Saving Fred slides. You need to share those! Rest and give yourself grace. Remember you can't pour from an empty cup!
Mrs. Emerson,
Welcome Back! I am sure you will do phenomenal. You are an amazing teacher and mentor for me. Much blessings and can't wait to learn with you! 🎉😊
Yes, prioritise ! Your delicious lunch is prepared for the rest of the week.
One day at a time.
Love your videos!❤💯%
I love the two rules!!! Don’t over whelm yourself !!!! I love the band aide idea; running sped and 6-12 grade room I am using it this year. I love have to or wait time., Set up dates on a calendar for you time too!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience❤ I relate to you a 100%. I can't wait to follow and learn from your experience❤ you got this!
How about a magnetic shelf for your clock? Like the ones people use for displaying books on their whiteboards.
I miss your classroom, Vlogs and hope you will be doing them again this year.
Isn’t this a classroom vlog? I obviously won’t be vlogging while teaching or during contract hours so my vlogs will be captured before and after school, just like this one.
@@PocketfulofPrimary Yes it is, but I miss your old style of vlogging.
I recently heard another teacher here on RUclips say that their school focus message is “grow where you are planted”.
I love it! 🪴🌱💚
I really love your school's theme. My school is actually doing the theme of Lessons from a tree. So every couple of months the term changes. The first theme we going is from tiny seeds grow mighty trees.
My district just did this for the first time this year, welcome wagon. You would not believe that amount of parents complaining saying it was a violation of privacy to come to their house 🥺
Wow! You have to start curriculum on Day 2? I need more time to teach procedures. In my old school district, there was a "First 10 Days of School" mini curriculum for K-8th grades (basically the 2 weeks before Labor Day) .
It was very light, so you could focus on routines.
❤❤❤❤This coming year, I convinced my instructional coach to let me start the curriculums on Week 3. Usually it's Week 2. During that time, I've planned routines as well as a lot of diagnostic activities, so I know where the students are. Then I can group them more accurately and be ready on Week 3, Day 1.
One thing, that might help is that I'm not in a testing grade this year. Although last year I taught 5th grade, and I started in the middle of Week 2. Godspeed to you. ❤
I loved this vlog. So true. I forgot how tiring it was working at school until I came home after our first day today and I'm like "why is my brain mush?" lol. It's so true. Hope you're doing better! Take all the time you need. I know your students must love you already. I had a few of my old students today and it was fabulous. Rest up!
So excited for you, Michelle! Can't wait to see all the fun things you do this year.
Love your ideas. Just ordered the birthday items. Love that idea. This is my 44th year teaching and I still get nervous not he first day.
I wish I could give all of your videos more than one like! You are an amazing inspiration for many of us! Lots of love, from South Africa 💜
Saving Fred is such a fun activity! We used it many years in 7th grade Science. Wishing you a great year!
Do you think you will film a what I eat in a day as a teacher ?
I loved doing Saving Fred with my 5th graders last year! I tried it with my niece when she in 1st grade last year. It gives me confidence that my 2nd graders this year will be able to do it. I also do an activity I learned from Bridget with puzzles and a blindfold. That was fun.
We have a schoolwide team building session every morning first thing called CREW. I will be doing several of those activities at that time. 😊
If you like Red Bull after you've tried the green one, you've got to try the watermelon (red one). That's my favorite!
Please just get some sleep! Teacher in-service week starts in MD's Wash. Cty tomorrow. Glad you are happy!
This will be me tomorrow. First day of school, Year 25 and I’m literally finishing up my slides presentation and double checking everything..
'Welcome Walk' sounds great but in the UK we would never ever do that lol... we don't even want to be seen in public outside of the classroom!
Came to say the same. Unmanageable with how big our school catchments can be. I also don’t know how comfortable either party would be about their teacher turning up at their door…
@@clairey31207 Agreed
I wonder how chuckles and knuckles are doing!
thank you for the inspiration :) I'm teaching college but I gained a lot of motivation from you hahah.. kids are so lucky to have you as their teacher ^_^ tomorrow is my first day of school too~
Thank you for your vlogs! Hope you have a great school year!
Wow!
Only 1 day for procedures 😅
actually, an activity video for children would be great ( you can do it with your husband as the kid to demonstrate some activities lol)
You seem so happy to be teaching again.
Best of luck! I started with students on the 12th. Teachers’ PD was the 8th and 9th!!
I don’t try to teach for real until the second week. It’s impossible. 😅 procedures and getting to know my students is my priority week one. I do academic things but never make it wild.
I did saving Fred with my first graders on Friday. I received a message and video of father and son saving Fred. Confirmed my why.
Question on your meet Mrs Emerson slide is there supposed to be 2 are in the mistakes bullet point?
I don't really understand why people stress over first day, thats when I stop stressing and just do what I do.
Tiredness is real. You've been outta the game for a little while doing other good stuff. So, be kind to yourself. You'll get your teaching groove back like riding a bike. It's always good to be over prepared. As they say, better to have more than less.
I love the name word search idea 👍🏻
I am an over thinker 😢 Your students are lucky to have you.
I wish you the best. year🎉🎉🎉
I start with students tomorrow! I hope I can only be 1/2 as organized as you.
how many kids are in each group for saving Fred?
Do you have like five Fred stations at once? Because usually if I do things in one group there's always one or two kids giving up or sitting around doing nothing while the others are hogging the activity.
Wonderful and congratulations on making it through your first day! Do you have a “Saving Fred” slide show on TPT?
What is your phone case?? I like the case with the pop socket.
Can you put your “Save Fred” slides on TPT?
Hi Michelle can you tell me where I can purchase or find your Save Fred powerpoint? Thank you so much :)
Cool
I love your channel! Do you have recommendation for a voice amplifier? I have a student this year who has hearing loss but doesn’t qualify yet for hearing aids. Was thinking this might help🤷♀️
My school has a half day of school on my first day
You do a slide show every day? Can you do a video about that?
❤❤❤❤
❤
😎
yeah, girl your back to teaching?
Yes
Girly maybe you should get melatonin to help on those trouble sleeping night.
LOL if only you knew how much melatonin I’ve taken…
Magnesium help right before bed. Glycinate form
How does your school work with Special Needs kids?
Any classroom vlogs this year?
Isn’t this a classroom vlog? I obviously won’t be vlogging while teaching or during contract hours so my vlogs will be captured before and after school, just like this one.
@@PocketfulofPrimary ok
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I don't have to start curriculum until the 2nd week. We only have a 3 day week the first week and I want to spend it on team building and routines. So I'm over here like dear lord what do I do for 3 days?!?!