First Day and Classroom Photos

Oh-my-word.  This week has been a whirlwind!  Thank goodness tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Yesterday was the first day with the kids and I had great intentions of posting my final classroom pics... and of course I didn't take into account the exhaustion that comes at the end of the first day of first grade.  Oh well, better late than never!

I am happy to report that I have a fantastic new bunch of 23 firsties!  They came in all smiles yesterday morning and NO TEARS!!  Not ONE parent came into the classroom.  My kids came straight off the bus or their parents dropped them quickly at the door.  Hooray for their families for building that independence right from the start!  They will be making my job much easier this year.

The day went by in a flash!  My first grade frame was a hit and I can't wait for their parents to see their adorable lil faces in the pictures at Curriculum Night next week.  Play dough on the desks as an opening activity when the kids arrive is GENIUS.  They were engaged and the kinesthetic aspect helped to channel any first day jitters.  Thanks Clutter-Free Classroom for the idea!  {Click HERE for the original post on CFC's blog}

Below are the final pics of my classroom set-up.  I've very pleased at how the room turned out this year.  It's very open and spacious, and there is A LOT of blank bulletin/wall space to hang our anchor charts and amazing first grade work.