GETTING READY
I hope you and your children have had a wonderful summer and anxious to start a very busy year in first grade.
(This is a graphic provided by illustrator Gary Harbo )
First grade is a very exciting year as we learn to read. The children will also be creating several hallway museums on the different topics we cover throughout the year. This is a very hands-on and project- oriented year, since I have found this is the most effective way for children to learn and become excited enough to want to share what they learned with others. So be prepared!
ABC’S of First
Grade
Absence – Please call the
school before 8:15 if your child will be absent.
If the school does not receive a call, you will be called.
This is for the protection of your child. Students must also have a note the day they return to school
after an absence.
Birthdays – Your
child may send in a small treat to share at snack time on his/ her birthday. Please do not send in drinks.
I strongly discourage cupcakes because of the waste involved.
In all honesty, more of the cupcakes end up in the garbage than are
eaten. The children usually enjoy
cookies or even a small doughnut more than a cupcake.
Contact paper – Please cover
all workbooks and copybooks with clear contact paper. Contact me – If you have any concerns, please
contact me immediately.
Drill - Math facts
(once introduced) should be drilled on a daily basis, until the children have it
memorized for quick recall.
Evaluations - I try to
evaluate all work the children do and send home daily papers on a regular basis
and test folders periodically. Daily
papers need not be returned. If
your child makes corrections on these daily papers with you and you would like
for me to see them, that’s great! Any
test papers that should be signed and returned will be placed in a test folder.
I will let you know on the when test folders will be going home.
Folders – Please check your
child’s folder each day to be certain that nothing needs immediate attention. The “Watch Me Read” books should remain in the folder
labeled “Reading folder.”
Grades – The children do not
receive letter or number grades in first grade.
You will note that papers are corrected with errors marked.
It would be a good idea to review daily papers with the children as they
come home. Report cards for first
grade are not issued until the second marking period in January.
Homework – Please be sure
that your child completes homework routinely.
This is important in establishing good habits for the future.
I feel it is extremely important that they understand that “studying”
is homework.
Independence -
Please allow your child to take responsibility for his/her folder and
backpack. It is hard to teach them
to work independently in class, if this is not also encouraged at home.
Kindness is the main
ingredient in first grade. Our
focus in religion is the two great commandments as we learn to love God and
appreciate his goodness, and to love and respect our neighbor.
Lunch money – Please help
the office by turning this in on Fridays.
Mass - I will be reminding your child of the importance of attending Mass every Sunday. In fact this will consistently be the Friday homework assignment.
Notes -Keep in
mind that I may not be able to respond to a note you send to school the same
day. I am not ignoring you but rather that I find it difficult to
compose a sensible answer to questions when students surround me.
I will respond to your questions and concerns as soon as possible.
My email address is listed on the website and I am always happy to meet
with you if you wish to set up a conference time.
Only saints – For our
Halloween celebration in first grade the children must all dress as saints.
I use this occasion as a religion lesson as the children to learn about
the saint they are portraying and share this information with their classmates
Pencil cases.
Please check your child’s school supplies on a regular basis.
Be sure your child always has sharpened pencils, glue, and crayons.
It might be a good idea to ask them to bring their pencil cases home on
Fridays.
Question your child each day
about what happened in school. Don’t
ask, “How was your day?” or “What did you do?” The answers will probably
be “ok” and “nothing”. Be
specific. “Tell me a new word you learned.” “Show me a problem that you learned in math.” “Tell me
about a story you read or a picture you drew or a sentence you wrote.” This is
the best way for the children to review what they have learned during the day.
Reminder Sheet - I will send
home a reminder sheet on Monday each week.
This will give you a general idea of what we will be covering and any
homework that is due. Please refer
to this throughout the week.
Snacks – Please limit this
to one small nutritious snack each day.
If your child forgets his/her snack don’t panic. I always have
something in the classroom. Please
provide your child with a napkin for the snack.
Transportation home – If
your child is a walker please let me know who will be picking up your child. If
your child normally rides a bus and will be picked up on a certain day, the
child must have a note; otherwise he/she will be placed on the bus.
Once again this is for your child’s protection.
Uniforms – Please be sure
that your child is dressed in the complete school uniform.
Please also be sure his/her name is written in all sweaters, sweatshirts,
sweatpants, etc.
Vacation - Please if at all
possible avoid vacation days during the school year. Keep in mind that it is
very difficult for children to make up all missed work.
Completing worksheets and workbook pages really does not make up the
missed classroom discussion and activities.
If it is not possible a note should be sent in to Sister Margaret before
time for her approval.
Web page – Our classroom web
address is http://home.ptd.net/~mamajor
The reminder sheet will appear on this page.
I will also try to show you through pictures what is happening in our
classroom. I will place links to sites that may be helpful as we cover our
science and social studies projects this year.
You’ll also find links to sites of some of the authors and illustrators
we have contacted in the past two years. Many of these sites have excellent
activities for your children.
X – “eXtra
special”. I hope that everything we do this year in first grade will
make the year an extra special one for your child, so they understand that
learning can be fun!
You
- You are your child’s most important teacher. If your child sees
you pray, your child will pray. If
your child sees you read, your child will read.
If your child sees you volunteer, your child will volunteer. ETC
Z’s – Be sure your child gets to sleep early! First grade is an intensive year, with a long full day of activities. (We do not have rest time.) In order to have your child do his/her best it is extremely important that they come to school well rested.
Additional Reminders
While I realize that illness does occur please do not keep you children home when it is not necessary.
Listed below are the supplies your child will need to have each day:
3 sharpened pencil
2 erasers
a box of
crayons(8, 16, 0r 24 count only)
a glue stick
(Please do not send in liquid glue.)
a small pair
of pointed scissors (Fiskars work best.)
a soft,
zippered pencil case (Please no boxes.)
Please do not send in markers or pencil sharpeners.
