Schedule
8:00-8:20 Breakfast / Morning Work
8:20-8:30 Rest Room
8:30-9:35 Reading
9:35-9:45 Rest Room
9:45-10:00 Recess
10:00-10:55 Math
10:55-11:05 Rest Room
11:05-11:20 Recess
11:20-11:45 Lunch
11:45-12:00 Phonics
12:00-12:10 Restroom
12:10-1:00 Writing
1:00-1:10 Restroom
1:10-1:25 Social Studies / Science
1:25-1:30 Travel
1:30-2:00 Specials
2:00-2:20 Student of the Week or Social Studies / Science
2:20-2:30 Rest Room
2:30-2:45 Pack & Go
Specials:
Monday - P.E.
Tuesday - Music
Wednesday - Computers
Thursday - Library
Friday - Art
Saturday, September 25, 2010
September 25, 2010
Good Morning,
We have had an interesting week. I know that the review period has been very frustrating for some of our students, but I appreciate the patience that both you and your students have demonstrated. There have been some serious changes in our classroom, the computer lab has been disassembled. As of right now we do not have the space for both the computer lab and our new smart board. There will be no more individual bathroom breaks. While I was gone and upon my return to school several students have had issues maintaining proper behavior in the bathrooms and the halls unsupervised. As a result to this development all bathroom breaks will be supervised my next post will be our daily schedule including bathroom breaks. As you will see there are adequate opportunities for all students throughout the day. This has been an unfortunate development, but as some students continue to abuse their privileges restrictions are required. On a related note, correctly following detailed directions is an important skill for the first grade. Yesterday both our math and Spalding assessments were completed on wide rule lined paper, many students were unable to follow the verbal directions or copy the example from the board. I have given students a pass on those two grades as the majority of my class was unable to complete the assignments with a 70% passing grade for both following directions and correctly writing their numbers and phonograms. As we progress into the more challenging aspects of first grade it is imperative that all students learn the skill of following directions and rules daily.
I have only had three students bring a note or their Spalding cards to class. If you do not have the Spalding phonogram cards and CD they are a required supply as we move forward and students learn phonograms 28-72 studying at home will be the only way students will be able to master their phonograms. I am asking once again that every student bring in their Spalding cards or a note from home. Cards can be purchased from the Spalding website.
Dollar for Duds is every Friday, if students do not have their dollars they are required to sit out during our first recess. In an effort to be fair to all students everyone is required to have their dollar or forfeit their recess. Students are also required to forfeit their recess if they do not return their homework. Many assignments require a parent's signature so I have reminded my students to be respectfully diligent about ensuring you sign and return notes and homework.
I appreciate everyone who generously donated supplies to our classroom many students have already started to see their crayons begin to dwindle. Abuse of classroom supplies is an issue, students will no longer have access to baby wipes for their desks following breakfast. Many students use two and three even though they have been repeatedly reminded that only one is required to adequately clean their work areas. Money is tight for many of us and instead of making requests for additional luxury items I will be limiting requests to only items that are required for students to complete their assignments. Some supplies are for our entire class such as pencils, crayons, glue sticks and paper, other supplies such as scissors and rulers are collected for student safety. I appreciate your continued understanding and support regarding ensuring that our students have the materials required to have an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience.
I am confident that as we move towards the end of the first quarter all students who are having issues will be able to improve their skills in following directions, listening and working independently. I am in the process of refining our reporting process for both weekly and daily homework expectations and behavior. As always it is my goal to recognize and award positive behavior and teach students who are struggling skills to improve.
We have had an interesting week. I know that the review period has been very frustrating for some of our students, but I appreciate the patience that both you and your students have demonstrated. There have been some serious changes in our classroom, the computer lab has been disassembled. As of right now we do not have the space for both the computer lab and our new smart board. There will be no more individual bathroom breaks. While I was gone and upon my return to school several students have had issues maintaining proper behavior in the bathrooms and the halls unsupervised. As a result to this development all bathroom breaks will be supervised my next post will be our daily schedule including bathroom breaks. As you will see there are adequate opportunities for all students throughout the day. This has been an unfortunate development, but as some students continue to abuse their privileges restrictions are required. On a related note, correctly following detailed directions is an important skill for the first grade. Yesterday both our math and Spalding assessments were completed on wide rule lined paper, many students were unable to follow the verbal directions or copy the example from the board. I have given students a pass on those two grades as the majority of my class was unable to complete the assignments with a 70% passing grade for both following directions and correctly writing their numbers and phonograms. As we progress into the more challenging aspects of first grade it is imperative that all students learn the skill of following directions and rules daily.
I have only had three students bring a note or their Spalding cards to class. If you do not have the Spalding phonogram cards and CD they are a required supply as we move forward and students learn phonograms 28-72 studying at home will be the only way students will be able to master their phonograms. I am asking once again that every student bring in their Spalding cards or a note from home. Cards can be purchased from the Spalding website.
Dollar for Duds is every Friday, if students do not have their dollars they are required to sit out during our first recess. In an effort to be fair to all students everyone is required to have their dollar or forfeit their recess. Students are also required to forfeit their recess if they do not return their homework. Many assignments require a parent's signature so I have reminded my students to be respectfully diligent about ensuring you sign and return notes and homework.
I appreciate everyone who generously donated supplies to our classroom many students have already started to see their crayons begin to dwindle. Abuse of classroom supplies is an issue, students will no longer have access to baby wipes for their desks following breakfast. Many students use two and three even though they have been repeatedly reminded that only one is required to adequately clean their work areas. Money is tight for many of us and instead of making requests for additional luxury items I will be limiting requests to only items that are required for students to complete their assignments. Some supplies are for our entire class such as pencils, crayons, glue sticks and paper, other supplies such as scissors and rulers are collected for student safety. I appreciate your continued understanding and support regarding ensuring that our students have the materials required to have an enjoyable and meaningful learning experience.
I am confident that as we move towards the end of the first quarter all students who are having issues will be able to improve their skills in following directions, listening and working independently. I am in the process of refining our reporting process for both weekly and daily homework expectations and behavior. As always it is my goal to recognize and award positive behavior and teach students who are struggling skills to improve.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday 9/17/2010
Good Morning busy bee parents. As many of you have probably figured out from my frequent absences I have been fighting the same cold bug as many of our students. Although my husband assures me I still sound more like Barry than Vanna White I am finally starting to feel much better and I'm looking forward to getting all school business caught up and on track.
Progress reports went home for most students on Wednesday, I have a few stragglers that the Sub was unable to get out, but I anticipate that all reports will be out today and hope to have them returned on Monday. Many of the grades were lower than parents had anticipated and I'd like to take a moment to clarify my grading procedures and classroom requirements. If an assignment is missing a name I am unable to identify whom the work belongs to therefore I am not able to issue grades for missing work or assignments that do not have names on them. If a student is receiving a D or F in any subject I request that they submit a new or another assignment to improve their grade. Grades can only be improved to a C. I do not check their desks, buzz books, or back packs for assignments it is each student's responsibility to ensure that their name is on each paper and that they turn in all assignments. I assure you that all grades can and will improve before the end of the quarter.
Grading, while I was ill and highly contagious I attempted to handle student work as little as possible and therefore I have quite a bit of grading to catch up on this weekend. I anticipate sending home a sizable stack of graded papers on Monday as well as an update regarding any grades that have fallen below a C.
I hope that everyone has a beautiful weekend and I'm looking forward to an exciting week ahead of us and we begin the second half of our first quarter.
Progress reports went home for most students on Wednesday, I have a few stragglers that the Sub was unable to get out, but I anticipate that all reports will be out today and hope to have them returned on Monday. Many of the grades were lower than parents had anticipated and I'd like to take a moment to clarify my grading procedures and classroom requirements. If an assignment is missing a name I am unable to identify whom the work belongs to therefore I am not able to issue grades for missing work or assignments that do not have names on them. If a student is receiving a D or F in any subject I request that they submit a new or another assignment to improve their grade. Grades can only be improved to a C. I do not check their desks, buzz books, or back packs for assignments it is each student's responsibility to ensure that their name is on each paper and that they turn in all assignments. I assure you that all grades can and will improve before the end of the quarter.
Grading, while I was ill and highly contagious I attempted to handle student work as little as possible and therefore I have quite a bit of grading to catch up on this weekend. I anticipate sending home a sizable stack of graded papers on Monday as well as an update regarding any grades that have fallen below a C.
I hope that everyone has a beautiful weekend and I'm looking forward to an exciting week ahead of us and we begin the second half of our first quarter.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday September 13, 2010
Good Afternoon. We have had a busy day, if you could please remind your students that it is important that they follow directions at all times I would appreciate it. We seem to be having some problems working and lining up quietly. Starting tomorrow students will be maintaining their own agenda in their Buzz Books as well as a daily behavior journal. As much as I would like to avoid using the traditional card system until all students are able to maintain a green card for 30 consecutive days we will be implementing behavior logs and colored cards on our desks. Green as usual is good and you should be very proud, yellow at the end of the day means that they were unable to return their card to green with positive behavior by the end of the day and will not receive recess the next day, orange at the end of the day will result in calls home and a missed recess the following day and red will require a parent conference. This week in math we are writing our numbers 1-80 neatly and accurately, all students will be tested on Friday. In social studies we are finishing our unit on national and state symbols. Students are expected to know Phonograms 1-24 this week and will be tested on Friday. I would like to see every student’s copy of the Spalding CD and cards they can be purchased from the Spalding website. In writing we are continuing sentences, verbs and nouns.
Tonight there is math and reading homework. Students need to complete both the front and back of the reading homework as it is review and should be easily completed.
Tonight there is math and reading homework. Students need to complete both the front and back of the reading homework as it is review and should be easily completed.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9/11/2010
Good morning busy bee parents. This week has been unique and quite a challenge, but as always your students were outstanding. I was out for two days due to a serious cold proving that even those of us who attempt to be the most diligent in our hand washing and sanitizing can still get sick. Our smart board was delivered on Wednesday afternoon, and we will begin using it Monday morning. I'm very excited about the new addition to our classroom and can't wait to begin using it in our daily lessons. We did the impossible and finished 27 DIBLES assessments in one day, Friday, so that our class didn't miss the school deadline. Our first King Bee has been crowned and he will have an entire week to share some of his favorite items from home with the class while we get to know him better.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Shooting Stars 9/2
We had a five way tie for our Shooting Star today Ms. A.K., Ms. A.J., Ms. M.A., Mr. A.J. and Mr. J.V. all had sixteen stars. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication today.
Homework 9/2
Homework for tonight is to deliver the fallen heroes letter to parents, discuss the importance of Labor Day and draw a picture of what you would like to do for work when you grow up.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Spalding Phonograms
All of our students are required to have a set of Individual Spalding Cards and the Phonogram Sounds CD these items can be purchased directly from Spalding as the "Parent's Set, Phonogram Cards & CD" for $24.05. The Spalding store website is in our web links. I will be asking that all students demonstrate that they have acquired the cards prior to September 24, 2010.
Big Changes
We are making big changes in our beehive! In anticipation of our first science unit on recycling and the environment I will be attempting to limit our use of paper. What does that mean for you? Weekly agenda, newsletters and other updates will all be electronic, please check on our blog often. I hope to make time for daily updates. Caught 'beeing' good! Starting today every student will have a piece of paper on their desk, at different times during the day I am going to walk around the room and catch my students who are being good. Each student will get a sticker on their desk note when they are following directions. At the end of each day they will bring home their notes for you to review.
Homework for 9/1
How to 'bee' a good friend worksheet.
Homework for 9/1
How to 'bee' a good friend worksheet.
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