FIRST WEEK FUN + A FREEBIE . . . FIVE FOR FRIDAY STYLE

OH.  MY.  WORD!  Cross surviving the first week back in the saddle off of my list (barely).  My class is full of sweet little loves and in about a month we are going to be absolutely mind-blowing (dare I say it . . . this class has the potential to go down as the best crew yet . . . yup, it's that good).  

With all this said, I am absolutely beat (I know y'all are right there with me). For some cockamamie reason our school alway does a FULL first week back and those poor babes (and their aging teacher) are SO tired by the time Thursday and Friday roll around.  However, we went slower than slow, took extra time to get to know one another, and enjoyed the ride.  Here's a little random look at our wonderful first week together.  

ONE - OUR FIRST DAY TOGETHER
We had a blast getting to know each other that first day.  We ran with a baseball/teamwork theme and the kids ate it up.  Unfortunately, I didn't get my act together and get it into a completed packet (it's about 90% there), but it will be fine tuned and teacher tested by B2S 2014!!!

Our Good Morning Work for the day was Abby's wonderful First Grade Survey.
Look . . . this cutie asked if she could LABEL her picture.  Hehehe!!

The kids completed a name scramble/number line craftivity.
These bats look so cute on our classroom sky wire.   

Our local Dollar Store had ball caps (great find Court)!
We snatched them up for first day "team" fun.
The kids decorated their hats and so many of them wore them proudly all week long.  

TWO - MYSTERY BOX
On that first afternoon, my new "players" hooked up with my teaching bestie's team for a little baseball-themed mystery box fun.  The kids asked questions as to what could be hiding inside that black box sitting under her smile sign.  It was a great way to intro/review those question words.  The kids were delighted to discover that Cracker Jacks were waiting inside.      

Rockin' Coach Haedrich leading our teams!

As soon as she started unwrapping, the kids swarmed her.
They cheered when the goods were revealed.
It was so stinkin' cute!

We had our "teams" find a partner and each pair received a box of treats to share.
It was a great teamwork lesson :)

Since we ran our Mystery Box together and at the end of the day, we didn't use the corresponding writing activity.  However, if you want to roll with this in your class, I am putting the page up as a freebie down below.  I have used it in years past and it's always great fun.

Mystery Box Freebie . . . CLICK HERE!

THREE - RULES RAP

A week or so ago, I blogged about Ron Brown's Rules Rap (click here to read all about it).  Well . . . it was a huge success again this year and my new babes ate it up.  I had lots of kiddos eager to be RULES RAP STARS!!!!  

All smiles . . . makes a teacher oh so happy!

FOUR - CALLIN' IN THE REINFORCEMENTS

Coming from a family of teachers, my parents both love to come in and meet my new crew.  They are also a wonderful help when it comes to keeping the "lid on" those first few days - THANKS GUYS.  I couldn't help but snap these pictures during Free Time Friday . . . Mrs. B had a tea party!!!    

FIVE - BIG BUDDIES

My kiddos met their 7th Grade Big Buddies on Friday.  I absolutely love having the older kids come up the hill (our middle school is just a short walk away)! They always help us complete projects that would add dozens of extra winkles if I attempted them alone.  This week we completed our tear art self-portratis. They turned out darling and they look amazing in our windows.  If you are interested in trying this project with your crew, you are in luck . . . it's a FREEBIE in my TPT Shop.  Click here to check it out!

How can I not smile when I walk up to my door??
These make my heart happy :)

Alright all you alls, I am out.  Gotta plan for next week and work on two packs that have been calling my name for weeks - 2nd Grade GMW (Sept-Read) and Number Sense.  I also have a nap planned . . . sweet Saturday . . . how I've missed you.  Oh . . . and don't forget to check out all the fun Five For Friday posts as well as the Freebies you can snag on TBA.  Hugs y'all!  I'll see you tomorrow with something fun.