Introduction

First grade is truly fabulous! I began teaching first grade in October and I am so in love with it. This age group is extremely challenging, but when my students call me "Mom" or sometimes even "Dad", to me, that is one of the biggest rewards of teaching. This tells me that my students find comfort in me and that I am doing my job as being a nurturing and relatable role model. I was once introduced to who is now my favorite poet, Taylor Mali. The first time I heard his poem "What Teachers Make" the hairs on my arms and back of my neck stood straight up. It reminded me of why I chose the career path that I did.

"You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder,

I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful
over and over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math
and hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them understand that if you’ve got this,
then you follow this,
and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this.

Here, let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
Teachers make a god**** difference! Now what about you?" 

For all of my teacher friends, I encourage you to watch the full skit of this poem. It will forever change your life. 

Most, if not all of my students spend more time with me in the classroom than they do with their own parents. Unfortunately that is just the world we live in these days. But for me, it is my job to not only teach to the Common Core Standards, but to also instill the values of life, the self-help skills my students need to succeed, and I choose provide my students with the hugs and smiles they may need on a bad day. 

I believe in having fun, dancing and creating. I am super excited to document my journey through my first year (technically second year if you count 1998) in first grade!


PS. As I document my journey through first grade, check out Angela's blog about her first year of teaching in fifth grade Live From Grade Five . And check out Jocelyn's blog for some fun and creative DIY craft projects, great for your home or for your classroom! DIY Home Decor