SURPRISE!

So I'm getting ready Monday morning and my phone rings and it's my principal.  I honestly couldn't tell you what she said after "Hi Stacy this is Mrs. ______"  because I think I went into some kind of shock. I do know that ten minutes later and ~ ~ I am now a first grade teacher -YIKES!  Oh by the way, did I mention for the past 17 years I have ONLY taught kindergarten?

There are tons of reasons why I am excited to make this change but I'm not gonna lie. . . I'm a little SCARED!  This is soooooooo out of my comfort zone.  Needless to say I have already called / texted all of my first grade friends, called my new grade chair and started a first grade board on pinterest.  If anyone has some first grade links, tips, blogs or ideas please, please, please send them my way.

Well my philosophy is when life gives you lemons ~ join Mrs. Lemons' Linky Party.

So here are some things about me:

1.  I was born in Kingston, Jamaica but I grew up in Miami, Florida.

2.  I started college when I was 16 (I turned 17 two days later).

3.  Speaking of college, I went to the University of Florida GO GATORS. I was actually in school when Emmett Smith was there pre, pre, pre Dancing With The Stars.

4.  I've been to Paris, Italy and England.

5.  I love baking but I HATE cooking.

6.  I was once on stage with Bob Barker and a winner of The Price is Right who I just met that morning.

7.  My sister and I flew to Vegas last year to see a Sting concert.

8.  I am addicted to Micky D's sweet tea.

9.  My mom and I have driven to Miami (4 hour drive one way) several times just for lunch.

10.  I'm a little bit addicted to reality T.V.  Some of my favorites are: Amazing Race, Storage Wars, Project Runway, The Real Housewives of (fill in the blank), Hollywood Exes, Big Brother, Bridezillas, and Teen Mom (don't judge me).
Since I've already answered most of the questions, I'm going to join the Newbie hop hosted by Grade Three Is The Place For Me.  Here are the rest of my answers for the party.

* * I teach in Florida.

* * I started posting at the end of January. 

* * My blogging tip is don't be afraid to ask questions.  I have learned so much by simply asking my fellow bloggers.  
I know, I know three linkys in one post is crazy but joining up with Fierce In Fourth was really a no-brainer. To join this party Ashley would like to know 3 things that I am jittery about for this new year.

1.  We are getting a new assistant principal this year.  My old A.P. was with our school since we opened and she and I had a great working relationship. . . I'm going to miss her.

2.  We are implementing lots of new things this year including: Common Core Standards, On-line Grade Book, and Performance Based Teacher Evaluation System. Just typing the list makes me jittery.

3. Helllllllooooooooo, did I tell you that after teaching kindergarten for 17 years I will be teaching first grade next year????

WOW, I'm starting to freak myself out but like Dory says from Finding Nemo ~ "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming".
SHINE on everyone! 

20 comments

  1. I went through the same thing last year! Only I was told the day before school began, after I had already set up my classroom for kindergarten! I have to say though, it was a good year - they have lots more reading and writing stamina, and it was so fun to be with some of my little friends again!

    Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten

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  2. Yay to first grade!! BOO to the way they told you. If you need ANYTHING please do not hesitate to ask. This will be my 4th year in first and it's my fave. Hugs friend . . . you will be awesome :)

    Kelley Dolling
    Teacher Idea Factory

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  3. Whooooo Hoooo, 1st grade! Congrats and welcome! You're gonna love it! It's amazing the growth firsties experience in just one school year! I moved from PreK to 1st 3 years ago and have LOVED every minute of it! If I can help in any way, just drop me a line! Congrats, again!

    ~Tanya
    Mrs. Dwyer’s A+ Firsties

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  4. Every year at the end of the school year Kindergarten teachers from all over say...."I just got them reading, writing, adding and subtracting and now I have to give them away. They can walk in line, go to the bathroom and pack their own backpacks and now I have to give them away." Now you will get to start a year without having to teach kiddos how to walk in a line and raise their hand. Imagine the fun stuff you will be able to do.
    I can't wait to hear about your new adventure and how it compares to K.
    KindergartenLove.
    Cindy

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  5. Congratulations! I think you'll love first grade! I've taught it for 4 years. I have LOTS of ideas pinned. The link is at my blog. I enjoyed visiting your blog & I'm your newest follower! I've nominated you for a blogging award!
    Please visit my blog to claim your award. Here are the instructions:
    1. Follow the person who gave you the award
    2. Link back to the person that gave you the award
    3. Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers (or whatever amount seems reasonable to you!)
    ~ Melissa
    Teacher Treasure Hunter - Discovering Resources for Teachers
    My Recent Post:
    Thanks and Thanks Again!

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  6. Welcome to First Grade!!! The Best Grade Ever!! Can you tell I am a little biased!! I have been teaching 1st for 9 nine years and would not change a thing!! By December you are going o be amazed at the growth that they will experience!! We are here for you if you need us!! : )
    Crystal
    Ms. Jones’ Junction

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  7. McDonald's sweet tea is the best!! Good luck with first grade...can't wait to hear all about it!
    Vickie

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  8. You are going to be an awesome 1st grade teacher! Sorry about the way it was broken to you, but atleast you have some time to prepare.
    Thanks for the tidbits about you, it was fun reading. I especially liked the part about traveling 8 hours just for lunch! :) That is too funny.
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count

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  9. Good luck with first grade! I'm sure you will love it and you will be great! :)

    Sara

    Miss Elementary

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  10. You will LOVE first grade! I do!:)
    I am your newest follower. Stop by sometime!

    Blessings of Teaching

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  11. First grade is the best! My pinterest board has stuff for many grade levels, but naturally includes lots of first grade stuff since that's what I teach. You can find a link to it from my blog.

    Joell
    Totally Terrific Teaching

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  12. I teach first grade and I have many, many pins on Pinterest...
    check them out if you would like.

    Welcome to the best grade to teach!
    Donelle Welch

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  13. Good luck with first grade!

    http://mspasquakinder.blogspot.com

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  14. I love the Dory quote and sometimes mutter it to myself like a crazy person! I look forward to reading more about the change to 1st grade. I'm your newest follower, and I've nominated you for two awards, so hop by!


    Oh, How Pintearesting!

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  15. Stacy, I just found your blog and I feel for you! I had taught kindergarten for about 15 years and was then asked to move down to pre-k. I'm so thankful that this year I'm going back to kindergarten. Some little things that might help you in first grade: I found this phenomenal set of books called the King School Books (http://www.townsendpress.com/our-books/the-king-school-series/). They have a kindergarten set and a first grade set. The characters are multicultural and the books are beautifully illustrated. I actually got one-third of my kindergarten class reading above level 8 with these books. I'm also selling really beautiful sight word board games for first grade kids on TPT for $1.00 (such as http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Board-Game-1st-Grade). These are some first grade blogs that I've come across in my blog-stalking travels. I hope this helps you:

    A Burst Of First http://burstoffirst.blogspot.com/
    A First Grade Fairy Tale http://afirstgradefairytale.blogspot.com/
    Blooming Into First Grade http://bloomingintofirst.blogspot.com/
    Crayon Bits http://crayonbits.blogspot.com/
    Crazy For First Grade http://fun-n-first.blogspot.com/
    Dragonflies In First http://dragonfliesinfirst.blogspot.com/
    F Is For First Grade http://fisforfirstgrade.blogspot.com/
    Fabulous In First http://fabulousinfirst.blogspot.com/
    Far-Out First Graders http://faroutfirstgraders.blogspot.com/
    Rowdy In First Grade http://rowdyinfirstgrade.blogspot.com

    I know that word families are really big in first grade. I gave these to my advanced kindergarten kids and they really helped them:

    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Word-Family-Worksheet-Package

    I'm sorry this comment is long. I just really feel for you. If there's anything else I can do, let me know. I'd love it if you could stop by my blog. Oh, and I'm your latest follower! :)

    Sharon Dudley, NBCT
    http://teachingwithsight.blogspot.com

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  16. I always loop first-second grade and First is MY FAVORITE! You will just go on where you left it with kinders. You can do lots of fun things with firsties. HAVE FUN!

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  17. Oh man. It's hard to lose a good friend and administrator. Here's hoping that your new one will be as good!

    Your newest follower,
    Margaret
    Kinder Journey

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  18. Stacy, you're going to LOVE first grade!! And if you thought kids made a huge change in Kinder, just wait until you see where you take those firsties! You'll be great! Good luck!


    Kate
    Second Grade Sparkle

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  19. A similar situation happened to me at the end of last school year. After teaching only kindergarten for the last 3 years, not 17, I was told I would be teaching 4th grade this year. I was shocked, so I can only imagine how you feel. Good Luck to you! You will have a blast in 1st grade. I'm your newest follower.

    Christine
    Tales From Rm 17!

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  20. Congratulations on becoming a 1st Grade Teacher! I know how you feel about feeling anxious. I transferred to a new school and the only position was in first grade. I took it, but I was so darn scared. I hadn't taught anything besides 3rd grade. It's so much harder to go down than up. After 3 years in first I moved back up to 3rd grade. You'll do well, because you know where the kids are coming from and you probably will know many of the faces. Good luck on the new school year!
    I'm a newbie blogger and I'd love to have you hop on over to check out my blog.
    Your newest follower,
    Tammy
    Groovyin3rd.blogspot.com

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