The First 3 Days

It was 4:00 on Friday afternoon as I sat at my desk and reflected on the first 3 days of kindergarten.  The quiet of the classroom that seemed so normal during the summer months now seems almost eerie. After hearing the sounds of voices and laughter from 19 new friends fill the four walls, I just can't wait for Monday to come back around.

I feel so blessed that our district allows us to begin school on a Wednesday.  This may seem strange to most, but getting back into the groove of school is a big transition!  Teachers use the first 3 days to get to know the children and teach procedures for the classroom, hallway and cafeteria. 

We learned so many things about school during our first 3 days together and had some fun along the way!

As we talked about working together and being friends in our classroom, I shared two books: I Call My Hand Gentle and Hands Are Not For Hitting.  After reading, we talked about all the nice ways we could use our hands and what we could "call" them.  Each child gave me a word that I wrote underneath their hand print.  We created a class book with these.

We shared in a reading of the "Weekly Reader" Back to School edition.  The children then drew a picture of what supply they needed to come to school.

On Friday, we  had a "working" snack!  The children had to match their cheez-it to the appropriate letter before they could eat!  I found this idea on Pinterest and the children loved it! 

We learned about all the different cooperative play CENTERS--

The Homeliving/Kitchen Center

I add menus from local restaurants to the bookshelf.  Megan is looking at one of my favorites-- Captain Steve's! 



The Puppet Center

We even got to celebrate our first birthday!  Samuel turned 5 years old!  Helllloooo colored icing!

 Samuel and his Mom!

What a FANTASTIC first 3 days! 

'Twas the First Day of Kindergarten

'Twas the first day of Kindergarten when all through the room
the carpets were vacuumed, the floors swept with a broom.

The name tags were hung by the closet door with care,
in hopes that their owners soon would be there.

The children were walking in a line teacher led,
while visions of crayons danced in their heads.

Mrs. L and Mrs. M patiently stood by the door,
an excitement was growing that they couldn't ignore.

When into the classroom there arose such a clatter,
We all joined in with a contagious laughter.

Away to the carpet we walked just like so,
"Good Morning" we said, "How are you?" and "Hello"

The sun peeking in from each window on the wall,
gave a shimmer and shine to children, one and all.

With what should appear to our eyes that were wondering,
but 19 children growing a love for learning.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Here is some of what we did on our first day in Kindergarten--

You've just got to love reading about Miss Bindergarten and all her students!  Through the alphabet, each student shares what they did to get ready for kindergarten. 

And then, of course, we had to talk and draw and write about what WE did to get ready for kindergarten!

Then in math, we did a little SORTING to get our mathematical thinking all warmed up!



 Here are two other really GREAT stories we read.  The Recess Queen is a must read before heading out to the playground!

All things considered, we had a fantastic first day of Kindergarten.  We all agreed that kindergarten ROCKS!

Meet Mrs. Lochel

Today is an exciting day--it's Meet the Teacher! 

All of my new parents will be coming in today to, well, meet ME!

Here's a little bit about me just to get us started. 

This is me and my husband, Mr. Lochel, on a weekend trip to Asheville, NC this summer.  We have been married for 4 years!  

We have 2 sweet cats at home.

We love to go white water rafting!  We have season passes to the USNWC in Charlotte and took a trip into Tennessee for our anniversary and rafted down the Nolichucky River!

I am from Fort Mill and have lived here my entire life.  My Mom and Dad are both still living here too!

This year marks the start of my 8th year teaching.  I have been at Sugar Creek since it opened 3 years ago.  I have taught 1st grade for 6 years and this is my 2nd year in Kindergarten.

I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember.  See if you can find me in this picture.  This was the end of my pre-school year. I was just months away from becoming a kindergartner myself!



Last year I was honored with the award of Fort Mill School District Teacher of the Year.  I had a fantastic year meeting up with other DTOYs from across our state, attending state forums, and hearing people talk about education.  This year, I will head up the Fort Mill Teacher Forum which brings together teacher leaders from each school.  This is a picture from my day at the State House with my DTOY friends from York and Clover.

And, I won a CAR for a year!  I'll be giving it up soon, but I've enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you again Toyota of Rock Hill!

In my free time I love to read and spend time with my amazing Mom.  This is a picture of us from my wedding day.

Above all, I just love to teach.  I love the children and I love providing them with a solid foundation and a love for learning that will stay with them for many years to come.

I hope that helps you get to know me a little better. 

I couldn't be more thankful or thrilled to be starting a new school year with a group of eager kindergartners. 

Hopefully we'll all be able to Keep Up With The Kindergartners!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Here is what I'm loving today--

I'm loving that I am back to work today at the best elementary school ever!  I'm loving my job and the people that I work with.  I am one lucky gal!  Here is a picture of us 3 years ago when our school was just built. 

I'm loving Cherry Coke Zero and it's help in allowing me to make it through my first day back at work!

I'm loving these NEW ideas that I found on Pinterest and have tried out in my classroom!  You can click here to see my boards.  Here are some of the pictures from what I'm loving in my classroom---



I'm loving  this project that I tried out in effort to create a more numeracy rich environment--

I'm loving this is a wall decal that I found at Hobby Lobby.  I think it really brightens up my cabinet!

I'm loving my new Environmental Print wall.  It's in my snack area so we'll add snack packages after we eat!

I'm loving these boxes that I bought at the Target Dollar Spot.  I plan on letting my students use them to keep leveled books in.



I'm loving that Big Brother comes on tonight!  Go Jeff and Jordan!

And last, but not least, I'M LOVING  my sweet kitties that I missed so much today!  Doesn't look like they caused too much trouble at home! 

Link up with Jamie!

What are YOU loving today?