First Day

     We did it, we made it through the first day.  I think it was a huge success.  I'm basing that solely on the fact that nobody (including me) cried!

     Our day was jam packed.  As soon as students entered, they chose a desk and completed a coloring page as we all got settled.  Then we unpacked our backpacks.  The kids were so excited for DESKS!!!  Who knew that would be so cool?  I never dreamed desks of your own could be so exciting........they loved them and I LOVED their enthusiasm for them.  We then met on the rug to read First Day Jitters.  It's a story about Sarah's first day of school with a surprise ending.  Ask your child to tell you about it.  We also made a class chart of first graders.

     We then played a game to get to know each other.  It was lots of fun.  That lead us to snack and recess.  After recess, we made a book and practiced reading it to ourselves and a partner.
Be sure to have your child read it to you.

     We then wrote our names and ABC's on a special paper that will go in "their" folder.  I told them this is a special folder for them that I will give them on the last day of school so they can see how much they have grown and learned.

     After that, it was time for lunch.  We practiced a fire drill and emphasized how important it is to be quiet during one to ensure we hear any directions from the firefighters.  To end the day, we completed an apple core project where we wrote our opinions of the first day.

     All in all, it was a super fun day with a terrific group of kids.  I enjoyed every minute of it (although I could have done without the heat).   Ask your child how I helped them cool down.
   
     FYI:  This Friday is gym, dress appropriately.

   

Sweet Dreams

     This is it.  The first day of school is tomorrow.  It's so hard to sleep with all the nerves excitement.  The classroom is ready and first grade is going to be lots of fun.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in the morning.  Be ready to tell me all about your summer and be sure to bring a water bottle to keep at your desk.  It's going to be hot.  SWEET DREAMS.

Summer Fun

     Hi everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your summer.  I am but I don't love how it goes by so quickly.  I've been "busy" reading books, hanging out with friends, going to Red Sox games and just relaxing.   I will tell you that Fenway is a tad more fun when the team is WINNING.

      We took the boys to Myrtle Beach to meet our besties from South Carolina for a week.  It was so much fun.  The ocean water is toasty warm and the waves are super fun.  We had a blast.  We even got to meet this handsome guy on our way to the beach.  

Okay.........so he wasn't very handsome but we were excited to see him.  

      Everyone knows that I am switching to first grade next year.  I'm very excited about that.  This does not mean I'm going to change the name of this blog.  I've decided to keep the Brilliant in 2nd Grade (at least for now) to make things easy on my faithful followers.   Also, please share this blog with any first grade families you may know.   I'd love to have them follow me as well.

     Woburn schools have switched to a new email system.  Staff will now be able to be contacted at username@woburnps.com.  Staff usernames will be the same as they were last year.  Typically first initial and last name.  I'm kpotamis.  Feel free to drop me a line.

       Starting to shop for back to school supplies?  Be sure to check out the Wyman page on EDLINE to find your supply list for each grade.  

     School starts on WEDNESDAY Sept. 9.  I'll see you then.  XOXO

     

Quick Update

     Hi everyone!  It's been so long and I've really missed blogging.  Current teacher contract negotiation actions have made it impossible to find time, within the work day, to blog.  I was determined though and have finally squeezed in this little note.
     There has been so much going on these last few weeks.  All of the city wide mandated testing is complete....phew.  Talk about no fun.  Now we are wrapping up second grade and thinking about SUMMER.  YIPPEE.  I absolutely love my job but, to be honest, I love NOT working even more.  Who wouldn't?
     This Friday is field day!  Super fun.....for the kids. ;)  We will walk to the Kennedy at 9ish and be back before lunch.  Be sure to have your child wear his/her green Wyman shirt, a hat and sunscreen for sun protection.  Hopefully the weather will be perfect.
    In case you haven't heard through the rumor mill.  There will only be one second grade next year.  The current first grade has only enough students for one class therefore only one class will be needed as they move up years.  I have been "demoted" to first grade-haha.  I'm really looking forward to the change. I have taught first grade before so I TOTALLY got this.
     Friday, June 26th is the last day.  Dismissal will be at 12:00.  In case I don't get back here before then, I wish you all a FANTASTIC summer and best of luck in life.  You know where to find me if you ever need me!  xoxo

Go Sox

     Today was a very exciting day.  First off, it was Red Sox/hat day.  I love seeing everyone wearing their red, white and blue and of course I was excited to wear my Ted Williams shirt.  Second, the weather is beautiful.  It's hard not to feel great on a day like today.  Third, we had a special presentation on pedestrian safety.  Thank you to the parents who volunteered to teach us how to be safe.  Head over to Edline for some pictures

     Last week we started poetry.  The students did an excellent job sharing poems.  We will continue with that this week.  Be sure your child has a poem to share by Friday.  We have plenty in class that the children know they can use.  We have been writing poems too.  Last week we wrote an acrostic poem of our names.  Today we wrote a poem about our emotions.  They came out GREAT.  I feel like I really got a chance to learn some things that I didn't know about my little lovebugs. 

     We have finished reading Anansi stories.  In some of them, he really was a mean trickster.  I'm glad I don't have any friends like him.  This week we will be reading a few different versions of Stone Soup. 

     On Saturday, I ran a 5k as preparation for the Boys and Girls Club race on May 3rd.  I did great.  I ran the WHOLE thing without stopping.  Whoo hooo. 

     This Friday is hat day again.  The $ collected will go toward fighting MS.  It's also our last day of school before VACATION.  I hope you all enjoy it.  I'm sure I will, especially if the weather is like today. 

 

They Got Me

     I swore they wouldn't trick me.  I thought I had brought my A game to school but I was tricked.  More than once, if you can believe that.  First, I was told by a student that she made me brownies.  Brownies are my very most favorite snack in the world so I was ecstatic!  My mouth instantly started to water.  Guess what?  Much to my dismay, the pan was filled with brown E's.  This was not the delicious baked good I was hoping for.  It was pretty funny though.  We spent the rest of the day tricking anyone and everyone we could with those brown E's.  I wasn't going to be the only one falling for that one.

      After that, there was a very creepy and large spider spotted in class.  To end the day, my sunglasses were held for ransom.  When I got back from lunch there was a note saying that they would not be returned unless there was "NO WORK".  This put me in a tough spot.  Mrs. Maloney would never allow "NO WORK" so I had to compromise.  I gave five minutes of quiet free time, we had to listen for Mrs. Maloney's heels coming down the hall, in return for my sunglasses.  It worked.  Everyone got what they wanted.  Except maybe Mrs. Maloney, so don't squeal on us.

     Great news!  The Walking Wednesday trophy is staying right where it belongs.  In OUR classroom.  We won yet again.  Whoop whoop!!!

April Fools

     Oh no!   Tomorrow is the dreaded April Fools Day.  Kids just LOVE to try to trick their teacher.  Well, it just isn't going to happen.  I'm far to clever to fall for any of their shenanigans.  I wonder if I'll be able to fool them at all?  hmmmmmmm   We will have to wait and see.

     The students have started to present their biographies and boy-oh-boy are they doing a fabulous job.  Be sure to check out Edline this weekend.  I'll have some pictures of our famous second graders posted by then.

     We were super lucky to get a new student this week.  She is a lovely little girl and a fantastic addition to our classroom.

     We are reading all about 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  I think we've gotten to chapter 4.  This book is full of interesting facts about the White House.  Did you know that it wasn't always called that?   It was once burned down, too.  The only thing saved was a painting of George Washington and some walls.  We will keep reading all this week so be sure to ask your child for some more interesting facts.

     Tomorrow is Walking Wednesday.  We've had that trophy in our room all year.  I think everyone would be sad to see it go.

     My training for the Boys Club 5K was going great but has stalled slowed just a bit.  I've got to get right back at it.  Just over a month left.........I think I can, I think I can, I think  know I CAN!!!!