Yep, I’m a cowboy today for the first day of school, and I have my back-to-school front porch picture to prove it!

Please remember that 4th Grade’s theme is “Travelin’ Texas”. Just because I teach in Texas does NOT mean I dress like this everyday to school. The only thing missing from this picture is the gigantic belt buckle (like salad plate sized) that my friend lent me, it really completed the outfit.

In my family we always took first day of school pictures on the front steps:

I’ll have to ask my mom what grade this is! First, Second?

Anyway, the first day went well! I’m always a little disillusioned after the first day, all my planning and dreaming about the school year is put in perspective as I have to refocus my plans and dreams to include real live students! I was out of town all weekend at a wedding and flew in late last night. Needless to say, I was a little stressed this morning, but the day went so smoothly. Here is my classroom right before the kiddos came:

I write my kids a letter telling about myself, and then their task is to write a letter back to me.

I’ve done this activity every year, and I think it works really well. It gives the kids something simple to do while I deal with parents, school supplies and any other first day hiccups. The letters are really fun to read, and I save to look at again at the end of the year, it’s amazing to see their growth. (Some of my kids could hardly write a sentence…but I know they will get there!) The rest of the day was filled with get to know you activities and procedures, the day literally flew by! Click here to find a bunch of First Week of School Ideas!

At the end of the day, one of my sweet little girls was walking next to me, and excitedly confided: “I really didn’t want to come to school today, but now I can’t wait to come tomorrow.” That’s all a teacher can ask for!