Goodbye Christmas Break :(

So, Christmas break has come and gone and it's back to the trenches tomorrow. I enjoyed the time off and I feel relaxed and ready to go back. Does that mean I'm clicking my heels about going back? Not necessarily. I'm excited to return to preschool. I have missed my students and I'm looking forward to hearing all about their Christmases. I'm just struggling with going back to the elementary school. The little guy I work with (who deeply struggles with ADHD and the effects of poverty) has probably lost a great deal of what we gained before break, and it's going to be tough to teach it all again. I know he can do it; it's just going to be a struggle. I'm also not excited about returning to that classroom...so much negative energy and yelling...it shouldn't be that way.
On the bright side, I have nothing planned for tomorrow - at least nothing on this computer. I left all of my plans at school. Oops! It'll be alright though. My biggest plan for tomorrow and Tuesday is just to review the rules of the classroom and some of the things we learned before break. We're going to start a study on transportation. I'm excited to bring a little science into this study with ramps and cars. My students have shown a pretty big interest in going places, so I think I'll pull in some basic map skills - really put the block center to use.
Also, I had a genius idea over break (meaning I read about a really awesome idea in the manual for my brand new laminator)! I laminated plain sheets of white paper to be used as whiteboards! I have attached them to clipboards, so I have enough for each student. Ahhh! The possibilities! Number and letter practice! Pattern practice! Write around the room! They'll be a great addition to the classroom.
I also received my first issue of The Mailbox. So stinkin' awesome! February and March are going to be pretty sweet thanks to this magazine.
Yet another also - I think I'll be able to get a hold of the credit card to order some supplies for the classroom this week. We're out of paint, and I've gotten the okay to get new dress-up costumes and books for our listening library.