August 25, 2013

Weekly Greetings!

We had a very full and productive first week of school! The students are quickly settling into our classroom routines, even with a larger class count this year. There are four Kindergarteners, four 1st graders, and five 2nd graders together this year. An additional member of our class is a new pet. We now have a hamster named Frodo!  During our end of the day center time, he can run around the room in a clear plastic ball and the students giggle while they crawl around after him.

As we get to know each other as a classroom group, we have done some "All About Me!" activities. In the photos to follow, the students were making a paper doll representation of themselves to be on one of our display boards. Each one turned out lovely, and should be up for all to see this week.

 On Thursday, I shared a little about my family and past with the students to model for our Show and Tell on Friday. Each student was given a colorful bag with their name on it to keep for Show and Tell days. Unfortunately, only two students remembered to bring something the next day. Our next Show and Tell day will be Sept. 6. Please help your child find their bag before that time and help them be prepared to share with the class on that day. The two students are pictured below as they pulled items out of the "All About Me!" bag.

In addition to the regular math and reading curriculum, last week we also discussed three of the "Six Keys" we need in our classroom for a successful year. Those keys are "Safety", "Love and Belonging", and "Freedom and Independence". This week we will focus on "Fun and Enjoyment", "Valued Purpose" and "Success". When each key is introduced, there is a story and a response activity to help the students remember that key. After the last key is completed, each student will make a "School Promise" as a goal for the school year.

There will not be any homework this week, but I will start sending home a folder nightly starting in September. On Friday, please look for your child's weekly work to review with them. I apologize for forgetting to give the work to the 1st and 2nd graders last Friday. It was already to go in the bin by the door, but I was busy giving out the "Go for the Good" cards and just forgot...Their work will go home on Monday.

Have a wonderful week!