Day one - and there's already glitter in the lunch bucket.

Wow - I can't believe today went so quickly.  In all my years of teaching, I've never sat down at lunchtime and thought, "Goodness, we didn't even get to my reading lesson today."  (On a side note, my colleagues were surprised I was going to try to fit reading into everything else we're supposed to do on the first two days!)


First day of school, and we've already had a real lockdown.  Mrs. Drummond was as surprised as I was when the announcement came over the loudspeaker and we just happened to be outside her room.  So, we filed in.  We then realized that Mr. Reid's class was right behind us - and quickly escorted them in as well.  Yes, folks, you're reading it correctly - 80 SECOND AND THIRD GRADERS WERE NOW IN ONE CLASSROOM.  I'm sure you are as surprised as I was that we all fit.  


I'm SO, SO, SO impressed with these kiddos.  All 80+ were whisper-quiet and calm the whole time.  Having a lockdown is a scary thing, even for adults.  For about 45 minutes, lunch was delayed (and boy were we starving!), the lights were all off, and nobody could talk.  Mrs. Drummond came to the rescue and read us a spectacular book called "The Yes Day."  It was so cute, I came home and told Jaely about it.


After lunch, I decided that although reading just didn't happen today (we were too busy learning about Metacognition!), I was going to attempt math.  The kiddos just loved it!  We learned how to create our secret number, and manipulated it numerous ways.  There are so many skills integrated in our math journals:  place value, algebra, numeric sense, arrays, logic... just to name a few!  Ask your student to show you how to do this at home.  They just loved it.  


In fact - we were so "into" math, we forgot about recess!  (Apparently, for second graders, this recess concept is a big deal!!)  We caught the last ten minutes and they ran their little hearts out.  We learned a math game "Top It" when we returned, and then it was time to do our planners and pack up for home.


Seriously - I could have used another two hours of school today to fit everything in.


The best part about my day?  I loved being there so much, with those kiddos, in my "element".... I came home energized and excited to return to school tomorrow.  I'm such a lucky woman.


And yes, as the title says, there was glitter in the lunch bucket.  I don't dare ask the students tomorrow where it came from.