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. 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.
Organization - This will be one of the children's most important lessons this year, as they learn to handle books, assignments, directions and materials. Please help with this goal by having your child accept some additional responsibilities at home.
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 a vacation must be scheduled during the school year a note
should be sent in to Sister Margaret before time for her approval.
Web page – Our classroom web
address is
http://themajors.info/class/html 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 your child understands 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 soft, zippered pencil case (Please no boxes.)
Please do not send in markers or pencil sharpeners.
