First Days 2009-2010

Today was my first real day!

I did @paulbogush's Million Words for Students and @ddmeyer's Who I Am ( I created one just like it in Microsoft Word for us non-Mac people.)


At the end of Million Words, the kids get to ask me 3 questions about anything that I will answer tomorrow in class. I was surprised at how many kids couldn't think of anything to say. Seriously?


I had the expected questions about what is my phone number, when can we go on a date, do I have a boyfriend, etc but nothing inappropriate.


I wanted to share some of my favorite questions with you!

• Would you date the principal for a million dollars?
• Would you host a tv show if you had to wear a sombrero?
• Who is the governor of Florida?
• What is the fastest roller coaster in the world?
• What is your biggest fear and why?
• If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?
• Can you cut a straight line with scissors?
• What is the meaning of life?
• If the USA were struck by a nuclear missile and only you survived, would you be able to live and support yourself? And why?
• If Barack Obama called you to tutor his child, how much would you charge?
• Can you tell if someone is crying underwater?
• Why does a dog get angry when you blow in it's face, but when you're driving it sticks it's head out the window?
• Do you like eggplant?
• Do you know how to fly a kite?
• Do you like cheesecake with strawberries?
• Were your parents strict on you having a boyfriend?
• Do you talk about students behind their back?
• Why did you want to be a teacher if you knew it would be crazy as all get out?

Creative. I like it.

The most common questions were, what is your favorite subject, what made you want to be a teacher, do you give a lot of homework, how old are you, and do you like teaching.

It was pretty interesting. Some kids said they had homework already while other kids said my assignment was the first thing they had actually done all day.

I let students pick where to sit and had them fill in the seating chart with the names they wanted me to call them. Most students went right for the back row but I made them scoot up. I already know all their names so it's really just for a substitute.

I did stand at the door and greet as they come in. I had instructions on what to do on the SMART board but a lot of them either didn't notice, didn't read it, or didn't believe me. I can see this will be an important routine to start.

The day went well, I had no problems. But on the inside I was feeling so retarded and like all my ideas were silly. I kept having urges to throw everything out and start over. But, by the end of the day I just tried to plan for tomorrow and not go crazy thinking ahead.

I can't wait to read all the words my students wrote to me so I'm sure there will be something interesting to post tomorrow!