8/28 post

Hello wonderful families!

We completed our first full week of First Grade! We got a lot accomplished again this week.

Here is a general schedule for our day, several families were asking for it!
7:45-8:10 Computer time/ Check in with teacher
8:10-8:30 Leader in Me/ Moral Focus
8:30-9:00 Phonics (Blast)
9:00-9:35 Read aloud (comprehension)/ AM snack
9:35-9:50 AM Recess
9:50-10:10 Shared Reading (practice of Comprehension)/Intervention (additional review of phonics)
10:10-11:00 Reading Centers/ Small skill-based reading groups
11:00-11:05 Clean up
11:05-11:50 Lunch/Recess
11:50-12:20 Writing
12:20-12:50 Math Stories (warm-up)
12:50-1:30 Specials
1:30-2:15 Math Lesson and Math centers
2:15-2:25 PM Snack
2:25-3:15 Science/ Social studies
3:15-3:25 Stack and Pack
3:25 Dismissal

Next week:
Moral Focus: We will be looking at Wisdom. The First Grade definition for Wisdom is know right from wrong. We will explore different problems and discuss what is right vs. wrong.

Phonics: We will be reviewing short a again and reviewing short i as well. Students will continue to learn our Blast routines. We will explore stretching out words.

Comprehension: Students will be able to make predictions, guess to what happens next in text. Students do not have to be correct in their predictions. We will also start looking at sequencing. What happens in the beginning, middle, and end.

Writing: Students will continue to work on their handwriting and we will also look at nouns. Nouns are person, place, animal, or thing. We will organize pictures, and words into the different categories.

Math: We will create Number Racks in Math and explore about how they help us in math. The racks resemble an abacus. Students will use these often in class as a learning tool in Math. We will continue to establish routines and expectations in Math and Math centers.

Science: Next week we will build upon our engineer knowledge. Students will participate in a technologies scavenger hunt. Then we will start planning out our thoughts and ideas on how to develop a better back pack. Students will plan, design, create (color), and label their improved backpacks.

If you have not turned in your Leader In Me check please do this next week. It is 5 dollars made out to Landmark Academy.

End of First Week!

We made it! Wow, that was a great first week! This class is the SWEETEST. Thank you for sharing your student with me. This year is starting off amazing.

Students have transitioned really well back into school even with all the Covid precautions. Your students have done great with their masks and hand washing.

Few things:

• Make sure to pack snacks and water bottles. Our water fountains are out of service. 
• Be sure your students masks cover both their mouth and nostrils. You can use rubber bands to tighten the straps are around the ears.
• The amount of hand sanitizer we use through out the day can start to dry your hands out so be sure to lotion before and after school. 

Next week:

Phonics: We are going to start with a heavy review of short vowel sounds and letter sounds. If you could practice identifying letters and sounds at home, that would be helpful.

Reading Comprehension: We are going to start off reviewing author and illustrator while enforcing speaking and listening skills. We want students to be able to answer questions verbally in complete sentences.

Writing: We are going to focus on handwriting to start. We will be focusing on letter formation of each letter.

Math: We will be starting with counting by 1s, 2s, and 5s. I will introduce the students to our interactive math centers. In the first few centers students will explore how different math manipulatives will help them solve problems in the future.

Science: This year we will be starting off with our engineering unit. The class will look at different types of technologies like inclines, the wheel, hinges, etc. They will explore their purpose and discuss how we use them.

Purple folder: To help eliminate personal papers touching others I have asked your student to put all their completed work in the their Purple Excellence folders. To grade these papers I will collect their folder and grade what I need to. I will sanitize my hands before and after and will also wipe down each folder before I return them to your student. The folders will come home periodically. Please remove all papers from the folder and keep them at home. I will try and write any feedback directly on the worksheets.

I hope everyone has a restful and fun weekend! Stay awesome!

Aug 17th

Hello Families!

Tomorrow is our first day of school! I am so excited to see our students! Please review the arrival time for your student to get their temperature checked. Remember they are entering the north side doors with their masks.
Arrival by Last names
A-M 7:45 am-7:55 am
N-Z 7:55 am-8:10 am

What to Bring to School on the First Day:

• Positive Attitude!
• Full belly
• Masks (Our Nurse Consultant suggested packing 1 extra mask in your student's backpack)
• Backpack
• Full Water bottle (pop-top preferred)
• 2 Healthy Snacks (1 AM/ 1 PM)
• Lunch/Lunch Money ( Lunch money can be added virtually on the Parent Portal, please LABEL any lunchboxes/containers)
• * Optional sweater/jacket... I like to keep the room kind of chilly (LABEL)
• Any/All supplies that did not get dropped off at the Chromebook pickup 

Dismissal:

I have complied a list of how your student is getting home from the survey and/or email communications. If this changes before dismissal please call the front office and email me. Don't forget your Driveline cards if you are going through the serpentine line! Side door walkers will leave from the North doors.

Below is the book The Night Before First Grade! This story would be great right before bed tonight! Please be sure to review mask expectations, arrival and dismissal procedures, and any questions your student may have. This will hopefully help in ensuring a smooth transition into school tomorrow.

I will see everyone bright and early tomorrow morning! 😁😁

Aug 7th Updates / Sign ups!

Hello wonderful families!

I got a few new families, so welcome! This is my blog where I will do most of my communicating. Please feel free to explore any of the last three posts (they contain good info) by scrolling to the bottom of this post and click "older posts" or going to the right side column and clicking on the July posts.

Chromebooks/Supply Drop Off/Dibels Appointments:
 The school should have sent you some info on this via email earlier today (please review). There is a link below for sign ups. Please use your student's name in the slot.

At this time you can drop off any and all supplies! This would be wonderful if you can make this happen! I will carefully organize and set up your student's things before the first day of school. This will be less stress on your student. *******Please LABEL, the supply list tells you what items will need labeled.

Virtual students will be able to do the Dibels assessment, pick up Chromebooks, and pick up any workbooks that they will need for the start of school at home.

All students will be able to check out their own Chromebooks. I suggest that your student brings a sturdy bag to transport the Chromebook home. I will also have your student's login badge ready to send home as well.

If you are unable to schedule an appointment please email me ASAP so I can make other arrangements.
Sign up for Dibels/ Chromebook pick up/ Supply Drop off  Put your student's name in the slot.

What to Bring to School on the First Day:

• Positive Attitude!
• Full belly
• Masks (Our Nurse Consultant suggested packing 1 extra mask in your student's backpack)
• Backpack
• Chromebook/Charging Cord (This will stay at school for a while... I'll be teaching them some computer skills) *optional transportation case for Chromebook
• Full Water bottle (pop-top preferred)
• 2 Healthy Snacks (1 AM/ 1 PM)
• Lunch/Lunch Money ( Lunch money can be added virtually on the Parent Portal, please LABEL any lunchboxes/containers)
• * Optional sweater/jacket... I like to keep the room kind of chilly (LABEL)
• Any/All supplies that did not get dropped off at the Chromebook pickup 

Also be sure to have several conversations about how your student is getting home on the first day. If you have not filled out the Survey Monkey questionnaire from the last post please do! It will help me direct your student! Here is the link again>>>   Survey Monkey Link!