A Day in My Life Teaching 4th Grade! | Falling in Love With Teaching Again VLOG 27

[@lwdfn7479]

Loved your car tire story on the first day of school. On my very first day of teaching ever (age 24), I was in a new city (Manchester, NH), had lived in my apt. less than a week, and knew no one. When I left for school (the Wed. after Labor Day) I got a flat tire and limped to the nearest gas station. There were no cell phones in 1974, but the gas station let me use their phone to call the school (I had to use a phone book to look up the number). The principal answered. I explained what happened and she was so understanding. Said she would cover until I got there. Kudos to the gas station that replaced my tire in record time and I arrived just as the students were coming in. Needless to say, I was a mess, but wouldn’t you know, I met the guy who was to become my husband that Friday and I’ve never had to change a tire in the 49 years we’ve been married. God works in mysterious ways.

[@valoriasmith3057]

What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing and making me smile!

[@lauriewilliams8336]

I love this story. I am so glad you shared!

[@juanafranco298]

Your students are very blessed to have you as their teacher. Your dedication and love of teaching shines through every vlog. Remember to take care of yourself on the weekends. Cheering you on!

[@juliemark5764]

I am always the first one at school. I love it. No lines for the copy machine. No distractions. That being said, I am also one of the first to leave. Balance!

[@charlottep5480]

Have been loving your teaching vlogs. Don’t beat yourself up about balance, back to school time is like no other, it will even itself out once you get through this bit! So nice to see you enjoy teaching again so much! ❤

[@katiemclaneak5182]

You are an education WARRIOR!! Balance will come, eventually. It is a journey…you do you!! I learned 4 new things from this video so you are definitely impacting students far and wide (in Vermont for example). GREAT JOB!!!

[@user-ti2xu3wp5l]

Thank you for continuing to put these videos together even though you have to be absolutely exhausted. They're not just comfort videos but I also almost always take at least one thing away that I want to use in my classrom

[@skyepienaar01]

Michelle, I've been binge watching Pocketful of Primary like it's Netflix. I'll pop it on while I work in my class and when you share a funny story I'm laughing with you, I'm crying with you when you're vulnerable and I'm motivated to stay on top of my to do list when you share you're plans for each day. Now I'm so into my training and I'm searching out all your teacher training content 😂😂 I'd love to see a breakdown of your gym / teaching routine. Give us all the food prep and hacks for staying fit and healthy. Because you know...healthy body, healthy mind = healthy teacher. ❤

[@Jni470]

Unrelated to teaching.....I LOVE the top! :) The beginning of the school year is NO JOKE! Cheering you on!!!!

[@jesaminetehuia9098]

I get it about grading/marking. Jingas, that is something I always put as an annual goal. Cut yourself some slack, too. You're creating a routine for yourself. You'll get there, and you'll get your vibe back. 6AM, you arrive and the first one there - geez!! - and the kids arrive at 7AM?! I am wowed by that. I love your slide templates and tips. I always refer to those vlogs. By the time you read this - you would've had 3 weeks already. I'm not a morning person either, and I look forward to the weekends. Lucky you don't have children yet. Enjoy the rest of your week. I look forward to your next vlog.

[@amandawilkins8403]

Happy Wednesday, Michelle! I understand the overwhelming feeling you have at the start of the school year, but you are doing a great job! I agree that it is so challenging to balance school and home life at the beginning of the year. I can't wait to see your next video and listen to Teaching to the TOP tomorrow! 💜

[@russellpalatiere8852]

Love the reflection!! The beginning of the year is always insane! Balance takes time! I remember an old vlog when you moved to 4th grade originally. Balance is supposed to be off until you get your feet under you!! You definitely are going to be in balance sooner than you think! Love the changes to your classroom!!

[@amyspeers8012]

I am a morning person. I was the school nurse at a high school and I would be at school at 7. Classes started at 7 35. I would wake up at 5 and relax and read in the morning. It was often my only peaceful time and it really helped me mentally prepare for the day.

[@djthereplay]

Michelle, A teacher's work is never done. You're not alone because you are not the only one burning up in this part of the country even with the summer season winding down. By the way, you're looking good. - Dwight

[@kayjay711-g2d]

I love celestial seasoning teas!!

[@pamsteckman698]

I find that I front load my work the first month and then the rest of the year goes smoothly! ❤ looks great and your so sons happy!

[@matthewluck9077]

freedom is realizing your to-do list will never shrink, and the healthiest way to make progress in your to-do list is to give yourself a time limit and to keep working on it the next day. you will feel more bogged down by having to face your to-do list everyday from 6am to 8pm (or even 5pm) than from 7am to 4pm. you need you time ❤

[@ciaraplans]

Hey girl hey! I would love to see some nostalgic moments in one of your videos. Walking to your car, good morning message in your car, walking in your classroom, turning things on and all that good stuff! I know your schedule and hours are so different than before so only if you can! 🖤🖤🖤

[@melissap.9548]

For some reason I loved when she recorded herself ordering Dunkin in the morning 😂 I copied her drink order and now it’s my go to!

[@carolbuzby9942]

Your organization is amazing. You created a beautiful backdrop for the video and children to experience while you teach.

[@cheyennemoore8380]

Thank you for sharing this! This is why I've followed you since college. You've always been really good at showing the reality of teaching, and I feel like that's helped a lot of people not feel blindsided by it when they start out. Thank you for doing this, hope you rest well this weekend and enjoy your taco salad (sounds ymmy lol. You've gotten me into them recently).

[@maryanndavis1815]

I am LOVING having all of these vlogs and seeing how much joy you have being back in the classroom. I was a preschool teacher many years ago and watching you and seeing all of the fun activities you make for your students really makes me miss it all!

[@sherylhuffman774]

2 things. None of my schools have ever started as late as 9:15! You were lucky! I teach in the south, too. We had to look at the heat index before taking the students out. No go if it was over 100

[@fiona.clare.w]

You staying until 7:45, you’re right may not appear as balancing home life and work life, but it is. You are staying to get ahead for next week to take something off your plate. If you go home and then come back, you are wasting time you could plan to make next week easier for you. Nothing wrong with that. From your old vlogs, you used to say you felt like you couldn’t say no to people, remember that as people ask you to do other things outside the classroom. Getting your planning done ahead of time is going to benefit you in the long run so you can achieve a work life balance.

[@mariebarker1797]

Bless you. This is exactly what a real day in the life of a teacher is like. This should be required viewing for teachers in training.

[@yasnaborne3702]

Thank you for showing us your amazing organization. I would love to see how the star jar works.😊

[@Stitchin_is_the_Besst]

Gosh! Even though I retired in Dec ‘22, I still have flashbacks of all the stress (the prep, the schedules, the organization, grading, things you can only do at school & working until midnight on things at home. The 14 hr days…etc.) I’m glad you’re enjoying it and have definite plans for “work-life balance”. I was never too successful with “balance” especially when the babies came along. I always felt like I didn’t do my job NOR being a mommy well-enough. I was so tired all the time & felt like no matter how much time I put in after hours to “get ahead”, it was never enough. Never enough for the district, and never enough to feel some respite. Since retiring, I’m thankful that I do not have to work to supplement my pension bc I’m still not over the feelings of always being in survival mode ☹️ So glad to hear you’re weight-training & hydrating. Love your room! Love your videos. 🥰

[@Thealaskanteacher]

Beginning of the year is a doggy paddle for sure. You will find balance! It’s those plastic and glass ball juggling. I also bought the clock by your door for my classroom and I love it!

[@tatluv09]

Yay!!!! I'm so glad you've made your teacher heart happy by stepping back into the classroom. I missed these videos. I would love to see a future video on how you organize and do small groups/intervention time. Keep these videos coming. I love to watch these videos as I'm planning or on lunch at school. It keeps me motivated to do better in my classroom. Ok byeeee!!!!!!

[@Ladyterra19]

😮😮that's MY FAVE tea for the fall! MY students love the aroma in the room😮😮

[@crittermomof2]

I understand your frustration with making the Eureka copies. I have used that curriculum and one year we were into the second module when the books finally arrived. Such a pain. But, I did enjoy using that curriculum once I knew what I was doing.

[@frenchwithmadameg1116]

So many ideas that I want to steal! I love this! I’d love to see an updated lunch ideas for teachers! I know you have done it in the past but some new ideas would be amazing! I’m so happy I get to teach alongside you this year!

[@jilloverton3630]

Michelle, I really appreciate you being so honest about how much work you do at school. There are many teacher videos that I have watched, where the teacher arrives right as her students arrives and leaves right when her students leave. I know that doing this is possible some days; however, I find that for me, it is highly unlikely. I need to prepare and clean up my classroom when my kindergarten students are now present.

[@Brandi-z5p]

Thank you for your videos! I’d love to see more about how you engage your students using activities other than worksheets. I also love your tech videos like how to create slides, tips and shortcuts, etc 😊

[@jenniferwolskee3468]

You are doing great Michelle! Your students are lucky to have such a dedicated teacher. You remind me why I left teaching and became a sub. I couldn’t keep the pace any longer. Too exhausted all the time!!!

[@janeb2958]

When I lived in Canada over three decades ago I LOVED that tea! Lovely memory... (and you now have me wondering if I can get it in the UK...). Small treats are SO important in setting the tone for a day.

[@CanMoten]

YAY! I'm excited that you are using the same curriculum as my children! I will definitely be using your TPT this year

[@oophelia46]

I just bought that tea yesterday! I've been looking forward to it. Yummy!

[@natyellevidiz2486]

I really like your videos, and I am from Brazil, our educational system is so different!! We do not have classrooms and I wish we had to decorate it and make them comfy as yours look! Also, we are in the middle of school year here, getting to the end so it is a different busy time but similar all the same, and been working on extra hours just to get groove lol love your videos, wish you could do more on a day in the life, our routines

[@savannahwatson1037]

If staying late or getting there early helps you feel better, that is balance!

[@chloeisbored]

idk if u remember me but u taught me in 4th grade at crofton elementary

[@owenapgar-ei9wi]

did you like her as a teacher Spill the tea

[@Talinin23]

@@owenapgar-ei9wi😂😂😂😂

[@LoveShineTeach]

Michelle absolutely remembers!!!

[@LoveShineTeach]

I mean, Mrs. Emerson.

[@chloeisbored]

@@owenapgar-ei9wi yes she was the teacher everyone would recommend. i am in ninth grade now and i had her for forth so i dont completely remember everything but she was an amazing teacher and everyone would recommend her

[@audrag77]

Balance is different for everyone! You keep doing what works for you 😉 Love watching these videos even though I left teaching to be a stay at home mom and not sure if I’m returning when my son goes to kindergarten in two years. ❤

[@wendlit]

Students arriving at 7:15am 😮 I have just started a full time job and wake up at 5am (or try to) . I go to bed around 10pm. I’d rather be early in the quietness before the day starts proper. Did I miss you telling us what time students go home? Your Science wall looks interactive and fantastic ! 👏 ❤your dress! 💃

[@LauraSims-t2d]

I’d love to know more about your lunch bunch!

[@maryelizabeth1443]

I love you and your videos, but I sense regret. I bet the year will go great and I always send positive thoughts! 😊

[@PocketfulofPrimary]

Regret? In what way? I have ZERO regrets currently!

[@Bjhoop08]

I would love to know all the ways you implement Eureka and your slides for it. I’m on year 3 with Eureka TEKS edition and I’m wanting to change up the problem set practice! Love the escape room idea.

[@jessicatowneart]

Have a great day! How is Ember doing with the change in schedule?

[@gailrothermund9209]

Good morning! Have a wonderful day!

[@LL-wg3ge]

Thanks for being so positive; it really is inspiring!

[@golliemily]

Love that you have a kettle in your classroom! Get a Brita pitcher that was a game changer for me. I would leave a Yeti cup in my classroom and wash/rinse it daily.

[@nicholasknowles7036]

My school starts at 7:05 kids enter at 6:45 on top of that I live two hours away. I feel your pain. I am a walking zombie on Friday LOL.

[@tisa3843]

I would love to see how you plan and how you set up a lesson!

[@daynalawson9817]

I ended up getting those number clips for my computer charging area that you showed in a previous video. So helpful and I even got a shout out from my administration.

[@natashachesney178]

I thought I was only elementary teacher that got there at 6:00 am! 😂. I am a morning person and do not like staying late, so I get a lot done that early. Love your positive attitude!

[@emielifre]

I’m so excited to watch this !!❤❤

[@SweetlyHome]

I love that your dress matches your bulletin boards. :)

[@Kaybee91]

Was searching for this comment! lol I like that too!

[@Just_Kristal]

Now I see how yall get to class so early before school 9:15 is a dream!

[@jackalex]

Loved this vlog! Thank you for these vlogs!🤍

[@taylorhorrelldavis496]

Wow that’s wild, I’ve never heard of a school starting past 8:30

[@mrs.martinez9638]

Welcome to teaching in TX 😢 it’s a different world. I would do the same thing - stay at school to catch up before an after school event like that. ❤ wishing you the best! (16yr teacher veteran from TX)

[@Flemingoriginals007]

I totally understand. I am not a morning person either…it is real!!

[@dawnrensel9087]

I look forward to your vlogs! Fourth grade teacher here as well! Would love your template for the recording sheet!! You're amazingly surviving beautifully!!

[@ClaudiaSanchez-1991]

I have Back to School on 8/29!! I’m also working on having my emergency sub copies set up because now I have 4 classes for which I need copies as opposed to six from last year!!

[@bonzimmer]

I'm a 1st year teacher with a few "true" teaching experiences and mostly being a para for multiple years ... thank you so much for this video as I feel like as many years as I worked with kids I should be doing so much better and yet feel like I'm surviving and that you've been a teacher for multiple years and feel like you're surinving helps (special ed here)

[@sydneyhanna5289]

7:15 is so early for 4th grade. what time do they leave school?

[@OGSTransition]

Unrelated to this video but I will miss seeing you press 1&3 on the light switch and getting a iced beverage fron Dunkin every day 🤣

[@immastar312]

It was funny: At my previous school, we used Eureka and switched over to Eureka Squared, and when you were talking about rounding and your anchor chart, I was like, "They use Eureka." They are copy-heavy.

[@ashleystarns1949]

I'm not a new teacher but started at a new school this year. We're a month in and the first few weeks, I worked crazy hours. But with each week, I am finding less on my to-do list and better balance. Teaching has seasons and the beginning of the year is a rough one.

[@swimrock9410]

I agree , I've been told you can skip some slides on Eureka if that helps. This my first year too for Eureka but 3 year of teaching Does your district makes the slides?

[@c.willie]

The beginning of the school year is always busy. It will balance out eventually 😂😂 I’ve been spending my entire planning period with grades. So now I’m working on getting a more efficient grading routine ❤❤

[@christinafrazita4027]

Michelle! Have you ever used Quizizz? You can upload a pdf worksheet and it will make it into a quiz (or just digital assignment) for you! I do this with my Eureka worksheets!

[@krystalbolden79]

For me the first month of school is overtime. Don’t feel bad. I am now able to not do work at home because I put 12-14 hours in getting ahead.

[@roche320]

When I taught in South Africa school started at 7h25 and kids would start arriving up to an hour before that. Now I'm in Australia and school starts at 9h00.

[@foxhaironfire]

I think your science wall looks great!! What science curriculum do y'all use?

[@kelliwolfel9741]

Sometimes you need one of those late night sessions to get caught up and a little ahead, then you can breathe and enjoy your home time.

[@nadiamajors390]

yes there are different virgins of Eureka. My school district just started it so it’s a lot for us as well I teach in Texas as well. But I’m a special education teacher and love your videos.

[@jeri3794]

Omg tell me about it!!! Today was Day 10, and we just got our new Social Studies Books delivered. I'm over this consumable book era, we need to go back to hardcover textbooks!

[@missthomas4892]

Is there any workaround in terms of printing posters on a chromebook? Or should I just get another laptop?

[@Emily-Porras]

Thanks for the Slides present mode link tip! 🎉🙌

[@mlmj1994]

I’m a Saxon Math gal, so I have a love/hate relationship with Eureka Math. I do like the adjustments they made with EM2

[@Oliveyourmoney]

What time does your school start and end? I teach middle school and we for from 7:50-2:50. 7:15 seems super early

[@SectionHikingTheAT]

Don’t sweat the “balance” too much. As an a-type teacher, to-do lists, planning, and creativity are just a part of our personality. It’s an on-going process, but it’s what we love and what we thrive on. I think you are an outstanding teacher and I am hoping your admin is appreciating all the care and detail you put into teaching the students in the best way possible. Bravo, girl!

[@cathyfields7653]

Where do you get the square mic you are using? Is it an amplifier? Also, what is your moving cart you have with the notebooks at the bottom?

[@valeriebabbe7681]

I love to see how you prevent teacher burn out? 😊

[@livelife6329]

You're dope!! I hope you have an amazing year.

[@jasm9381]

You be killing trees with Eureka 😅

[@dammiq6960]

Do you have a link for the kettle?

[@Cameronjankowski18]

10:15 Wdym, your handwritting on the board looks great. Btw Its nice to watch your videos. I'm in college myself now.

[@christineayers5998]

Does your district not provide plans for you? I am in Central Florida and our district provides full plans with slideshows for elementary. When I was in south Florida, the district I was in had lessons made for teachers, but they were terrible.

[@teresafavors9148]

Don’t burn out!! Take it easy.. ❤️❤️🤣

[@Kevinps41]

can you do an updated lesson plan template review? It's been a couple of years since I've done one and I have to make a couple this semester for a few things in one of my classes and I am stuck on the wording of it because it'll be done online rather in person

[@jesaminetehuia9098]

How do you feel about mote? I used to differentiate, but the free version only allows 20 recordings per month. It has to be justified to be able to purchase, i.e.. number of users = 1, me. There is no buy in from colleagues because they are not full digital. However, they can't see the benefits because of that reason. What about Screenpal. I use this to record instructional tutorials for students who need extra support. Forgot to mention - I am a secondary teacher (specialised subjects) and teach 3 different subjects to 6 different classes = 4 junior classes and 2 senior classes. My planning is pretty much back to back. Have you heard of slidesmania? Great tool to help take away the brain work when needing ideas of how to create slide templates. I love your templates, too, but sometimes I don't have time capacity (it is currently a luxury to have right now) to do from scratch. So, slidesmania is handy this way. Could you show how to set an activity to the background of 1 slide without it adding to all slides again?

[@donnadeutsch7125]

Could you do a video on how to do a Back-to-School slide show using Canva?I teach first and would love to switch it up this year. You are the BEST!!!!

[@cynthiapanah3978]

OMG! Why in the world do your kids start so early?? I would never make it! We start at 8;06 and I''m running in at 8:01. We're on the same lesson in Eureka. You are moving! It's our 14th day of school and we're only on Lesson 9!. BTW, I'm so glad you are back in the classroom! I love all your creative ideas and I've used many. Thank you!

[@rebekahduncan8403]

I know Eureka is copy heavy, but I love how it teaches so much math sense!

[@nicoleereeve]

Students at school for 0715 is absolutely wild!! What time are they finishing for the day? With love from a teacher from New Zealand who can't comprehend this timing craziness 😳😂

[@lagemgem2001]

I’m a teacher in Europe (British overseas territory) & I also can’t comprehend how early they start!! At our schools, kids can start arriving as from 8:30 but don’t have to be in until 9!

[@sharacrosby4747]

Why? Why get to school that early? 😂 We start at 7:45 and I get there between 7:20-7:30. I do also have everything ready the day before though! 👍

[@karenkollmer]

Feel that time! Temple is the same way! But home earlier

[@claudiatrejo1406]

I also cannot stand writing on white boards! It drives me crazy that my hand writing is crooked and it also looks odd when I try to write in big letters.

[@wendyhoward2699]

Love your videos! Blessings.

[@lilmarsh1]

Do you have anchor charts for ela too?

[@icecansing]

Kinda laughing because we use eureka and never have books. The other teachers hate us if we are at the copy machine. Love your vlogs!! We have the same job right now which made me super excited to see what you’re up to all year 😌😌😌 I’d love to see your routine for keeping track of everyone with absences and make up work. I’ve always struggled with this. Also… will you by chance be sharing or selling your science/math slides?? 😇