Meet the Teacher! Success!

Our school does Meet the Teacher the Friday before school starts from 9-11. Sometimes we get loads of parents coming to check you out and sometimes you don't.

This year a rumor must have gotten out about my classroom pet because I have 13 out of 16 parents show up! Woot! Woot! To be really honest, I haven't had much interactions with kids over the summer as most of our friends have babies or toddlers. So I felt rusty. Right before parents would come skipping (ha) into my room, I was NERVOUS. I was like, "How do I act, what should I say?" Blank. That is what I went. Scared. That is how I felt. And I was suppose to put these kids to ease? Not gonna happen!

Then that door opened and I saw that nervous, scared face and CLICK! It all came back. "I can totally do this!" I told myself. I smoothly walked over greeting my new student, shook hands, introduced my self to the family and said something witty (who knows what it was) everybody laughed, smiled and relaxed and I guided them to the sign in station, while asking my new student if they would like to meet my special class pet. This is how it went all morning. I also do this thing where I try to guess each students name as they come in....it is like my super power. I am not joking. I look at my roster and see who they look like. Totally fun way to start the day. It never fails to see the look of surprise on everyone's face when I guess right and compliment the parents on naming their kid correctly.

Here where some interesting things that were said to me at MtheT:

1. Hey Mrs. Forsyth, look at my muscles...(takes shirt off) now feel my back muscles!

2. Ummm. Rusty pooped. That is so gross. He is adorable.

3. I left you a pencil, sharpened under Rusty's cage for you Mrs. Forsyth

4. I like to pretend fight a lot. That is why my muscles are so big.

Some previous years quotes:

1. My name is Timothy and I like dirt bikes do you?

2. I am part wolf. I was raised by them when I was a baby and then my parents found me when I was two.

3. I don't like school but mom says that's ok because I am pretty.

4. My mom said my dad is Sting.

Seriously. I couldn't make these up.

Monday is the big day and I already feel good about the year!

So what about you? What was your favorite Meet the Teacher quote?

Tiffany

So 'tweet' of you to stop by!

There are so many different ways to do Meet the Teacher. I have compressed them down into 3 categories:

1. Choose a candy/cereal/food to go with your witty welcome note wrapping it up in some adorable baggie, buying an outfit to match your theme for the year, and having a plate of brownies or doughnuts to hype everyone up on sugar,  all to show them how glad that they came to meet you.

2. Do something half way cute but not too cute because your husband will kill you if you spend anymore money...this week.

3. Don't do much of anything besides writing Welcome to Third Grade on your really old easel that has stains on it because some kid couldn't tell the difference between a sharpie and an Expo marker.

So which one will I be....Teacher number.....2. Yep. I did do something absolutely adorable but it was quick and not too expensive. My co-teacher actually bought everything so I just need to pay her back! As you know we are doing bird theme this year and I am really excited about how my room is coming together. Meet the Teacher is Friday morning and I hope to finish everything tomorrow! My laminating came back today and I sat and cut with the Hubby for about 30 minutes while dinner was simmer away. Side note - Rachel Ray's magazine is so good. Look what I cooked tonight!

White Ragu Sauce with Pici

Back to Meet the Teacher. So you never know how many parents will actually show up and then you have all the kids from last year who want to stop by and hug you. It always does my heart good to see their familiar smiles and firm hugs as they go see their new teacher and I meet my new kiddos. I am hoping for a packed room and lots of hugs/handshakes/high fives. We made these ridiculously cute "nests" for our welcome note. I hope we have 100% turnout!

That is my coveted Kagan Timer in the background too! Love that thing. We put mints and rolos in the "nests". Thanks Noris!

I also key ringed my favorite Kagan strategies and have them loaded and ready on my white board. Whew. That's another thing to cross off the list. If you are wondering about my yellow and blue poster next to it - they are my 3 essentials for the first week of school from The Essential 55 by Ron Clark. He is the reason I went into teaching. If you haven't read his book and you are a teacher...seriously get on it!

Which teacher are you this year? I have been them all at one time or another!!! Leave me a comment and let me know!

Tiff