Just wanted to introduce myself. ;)   I've taught first grade for five years now.  I would love to get to know some of you other teachers here.  I'm currently using the ABEKA curriculum but implement alot of my own stuff into it. 

A warm southern hello!!! 

Hey I teach first grade also. I have taught, going on six year now.

Nice to meet you Angela.  Maybe we can exchange ideas sometime. ;)

I also teach 1st grade! I love it! Next year will be my second year teaching first grade. Prior to first grade, I taught second grade. I use the Open Court reading program, but use a lot of my own extentions and supplement it with reading workshop techniques. I also use the Saxon Math and Writing Workshop (Lucy Calkins) pre-made edu. programs. Again, as with many pre-made ed. programs, you supplement a lot and add your own ideas to the programs. I will come back later and list some of the new things I'm using/doing for next year.

Eve

Hi!  I'm a kindergarten teacher.  This year will be my second year and I love it!

Hi!  I have taught Pre-K/K for the last 5 years but will be moving up to a 1st and 2nd mixed class in September.  I look forward to any great ideas for books you guys might have.

Hi Tracey, Eve, Tiffany and Melissa! :)  Nice to meet all of you. 

Eve, I've always heard the Saxon Math is awesome.  Do you like it?  There are a few glitches with Abeka that I don't like, but over-all it's a good curriculum.  One thing with the math is that it never concentrates on one specific objective....the tests cover such a variety of objectives that they might not understand one at all but still pass.  At least it shows me what they don't know and I can reinforce it next time, but it's aggravating for them to still make a good grade and be clueless on one part of it. 

IMO, the science is TOO religious....now I teach in a christian private school and have no problem implementing religion in the curriculum but it could stand to expand some.  For example, the book will say, "Why do we have rain?"  Because "God made it."  End of story.  Of course, I don't think first grade is too young to understand the reasons behind rain, not just because "God made it." so I implement alot.  There are a few other small problems, but otherwise, it's a strong curriculum and at the end of the school year they are COMPLETELY ready for second grade.

I've taught K too.  Don't ya'll just LOVE the little ones?  I wouldnt want to be in any other grade except early childhood.  It can be so challenging sometimes, but as long as you "get in the mindset" to think like a first grader...i.e, understanding that their world will end if they have to use a blue-violet crayon instead of a blue like the worksheet asks for...LOL you are fine. They keep me entertained so much.  While I'm worrying about paying a bill, they are worrying about a crayon.  Ahhhh, the joys of being young. ;)

I teach first grade too! This will be my 10th year in first! So glad to meet some other firsties to bounce ideas off!

Hi. I just wanted to say hello.  I just graduated from college with my teaching degree, in December of 2006.  I am certified Elementary 1-6 and Middle School 5-9 (Social Students and Com. Arts) .  I am collecting young adult books, because I hope to teach middle school students.  If you have any deals, please contact me.  Thanks.

I haven't found a teaching job in my area yet, but hope to soon.

Another First Grade teacher here!  I'm entering my second year in First.  Prior to that, I taught 10 years of Second Grade. 

I'm entering my senior year in college in the field of Special Education.  :) My hopes are to be teaching full time by next August in an early elementary setting! Reading all of these prior posts has me excited and looking forward to my first year as a teacher! :) By the way, my name is Angie...:)