I am so excited to begin this journey of learning with your first grader!What an exciting time for all of us! Our theme is "we are kind to one another" and we will use this theme in everything that we do! Much of our day will be spent in the area of Language Arts.I will place a great deal of emphasis on Reading.We will learn all kinds of strategies to become fluent readers.My goal (with your help) is to encourage your child to fall in love with reading!So, this will mean some reading for homework and lots of practice in the classroom!We have some wonderful resources here at school to help all children learn to read.Some of my students will benefit from one of our Reading Resource teachers and that information will come later.We all work together to help your child not only learn to read, but LOVE to read! First graders also receive formal instruction in Spelling.This will encourage them to become fluent writers as well.Handwriting instruction is also provided daily.In Math, the children will learn about time, money, fractions, measurement place value, addition and subtraction, graphing, geometry, problem solving and two digit addition and subtraction.Most children need lots of help with learning their math facts and support from home in this area will be very important! In science, the children will conduct investigations, study force, motion and energy.We will explore changes in matter and life processes of plants and animals, conservation and the sun and moon.In Social Studies, the children will learn facts about famous Americans, holidays, American symbols, and traditions.We will begin to develop our map skills and learn how location, climate and physical surroundings affect the way people live.We will also explore economics and the importance of saving money and making wise choices.
What a great year of learning!
Important Classroom Information:
PLANNERS/BEHAVIOR SYSTEM:Each day, your child will bring home their planner.This will contain a list of all homework and important messages from our day.There are places for you to write notes to me and for me to write notes to you.Homework needs to be completed and any returned papers are sent back in their daily folder.Please sign or initial the planner everyday so that I know we are communicating to one another.I will also track your child’s behavior through the planner. I have different systems for behavior, but most of all we try to earn "compliment" cookies on a cookie tray. When we fill the cookie tray up, then the whole class earns a treat! I have found this to be very effective as the whole class works together to earn compliments and then we all get to celebrate!
SPECIAL AREAS:We will go to a special area everyday—music, art, P.E., guidance, library.We will also have some type of recess everyday and your child must have tennis shoes on to participate!
COMPUTER- We will use chrome books for ST Math and Lexia (reading program). Students are always supervised while working with computers.
SNACK-We will have a small snack break each day. Please send a snack with your child each day such as fruit, granola bars, crackers, etc.
LUNCH-Our lunch time will be 10:41-11:12If you wish to eat lunch with your child, please send me a note in his/her folder so that I can order you a lunch that day.
CHANGE IN ROUTINE-If your child is to go to a different place in the afternoon or is to be picked up by someone else, please notify the school IN WRITING.Please DO NOT send the note in the planner as I need to turn your note into the office that morning!
TAKE HOME FOLDER-Whenever possible, I will try to check papers and send them home the same day in your child’s take home folder (daily folder).Please always check the folder and return it with the planner.Your child will get very use to this routine of me asking for their “folder and planner”.
TUESDAY FOLDER-Each Tuesday, your child will bring home a folder containing important information and test papers.Labels on the folder will indicate which papers are to be kept at home and ones that are to be returned.Please look through the folder and return the folder with any important papers the NEXT DAY.
Please feel free to contact me with any question or concern.You can email me (probably can not respond until my students are in special area), call the school after 2:30, or send me a note in your child’s daily folder.I will contact you as soon as I can!
I can’t wait to get to know you and work with you as a team to make this First Grade experience a truly wonderful one for your child!