"The best day ever!" - Terrific Tuesday in First Grade

The long weekend had me eager to get back in the classroom today. Especially because Mrs. Hoffman will be out all week, so I was anxious/nervous/panicking for what the day would bring. Mrs. HOffman had a minor surgery last Friday, however the doctor told her she would need to take it easy for the following week.. Luckily she knew in advance enough that she was able to prep me and leave Sub plans for the whole week. I gained some serious experience watching her just prepare for 4 days of school she'll be missing. It literally takes 2+ weeks to plan for 4 days! It is so much work, which is why teachers often come to school sick, because it is just easier to suck it up and deal with it than come in early and plan every minute of the day for a sub who may or may not comprehend and execute your plans the way you intended.

Luckily Mrs. Hoffman didn't have to be as thorough as she normally would be for the sub because I'm in the class, so I know the basics (running the computer, smartboard, classroom management, student's names etc etc etc). The sub we have for the week is fantastic as well so we found out today we make a great team!

We split most of today's lessons and the kids were phenomenal! ONe of the best behaved days we've had all month. I was skeptical because you never know how much sleep they get over the weekend and it's hard taking 4 days off right after getting into the routine of school. But, it went great! So smoothly! I couldn't be happier :)

Also a reason the kids were so ecstatic today is because.........*drumroll please*......

Our playground is FINALLY installed!!!!

Yes, we have been playing on a concrete slab at recess for about 3 weeks now. With all the crazy rain we got over the summer they couldn't install the new playground! We've improvised and a few days walked across to the city park and they make due with basketball hoops and sidewalk chalk. The kids were soooo cooperative and it makes me proud knowing that kids can still BE KIDS and make fun out of just being outside. They really were troopers.

Bless their hearts, they were SO excited when they got to school today and saw that their playground was all ready for them to play on!!! Day by day last week they would peak out the windows and steal glances every chances they got at the progress the guys were making installing the new equipment. I think on the first day they had just laid the dirt and unloaded all of the equipment on crates, all tied together and wrapped up and one of the kids said "oh my gosh it's almost done!" So they were so eager to get out there! Let me tell you....it.is.awesome. Here's a few pictures from our recess today during their first time on the new playground! In the words of a little boy going down the big slide: "This is the best day ever!"