Today I Crossed the Threshold

It's July 20, 2016.  School starts in roughly a month and two days, but my brain has been spinning since the moment this spring when I decided to make the leap to third grade.  If I'm being honest, I've spent a whole lot of time thinking about the things that are firmly in my comfort zone:  classroom decor, my classroom library, my literacy studio.  What I haven't thought about?  Math.  Science.  Classroom procedures.  Desk arrangements.

Today I was able to go into my new classroom for the first time.  My boxes had been moved over from the Junior High (huge THANK YOU to the District 28 custodial staff for that), and I had a van full of more that I had at home.  Walking through that door with my name on the sign was a surreal experience.

And this was my first thought:

This is Chicago-in-July hair.  I made three trips out to my van to carry everything in! :-)

This is what I looked at:

Right now I'm a bit overwhelmed at all I have to do in just four short weeks.  But I also know from years of experience that it will get done.  The bulletin boards will get covered and prepped to showcase student work.  The desks will get arranged.  The classroom library will get organized - or not... I'm considering letting the kids organize it.  Maybe.

I also know that I can't do any real planning until that environment is set.  Once I have that, I can begin envisioning the kids who will share my space and consider how we will go from twenty-something strangers to a community of learners who are willing to take risks on a daily basis.  I will be ready to meet with my teammates and begin collaborating on lesson plans and unit plans that will engage and excite our third graders.

It's funny, even just writing all of this down is making me feel better.  It's reminding me that I know what I have to do and that I always manage to get it done before my students arrive.

It's all good.  Right?

Right?