Check out these first graders hard at work...

Miss Woods' class looking at class data on their "here/not here" board

Mrs. Chorvat's class completing a math journal problem together

Mrs. Coleman and her class are using text to answer questions. 

We love Xtramath! Have you signed on at home? 

Read to Self

 We are already going strong! We are improving our ability to read independently for longer periods of time every day. We are building our stamina!

Below you will see the students practicing "Read to Self". Independent reading is crucial part of our reading workshop/center time in our classrooms. Throughout the training process for "read to self" the students learn how to choose "good-fit" books using the "I-PICK" (Purpose, Interest, Comprehend, Know all the words) strategy.   The students are learning that we have different purposes for reading. Sometimes we read to learn and sometimes we read for fun. To keep them motivated we also want the students to choose books based on their interests. This is the I in "I-PICK". Next, is the C for Comprehend. They students are learning to check for understanding as they read. You may have heard them talking about metacognition or thinking about thinking. The students are learning to pay attention to their thoughts as they read. Only then are they truly involved in "real" reading. The K in "I-PICK" means the students should know all (or most) of the words in a book. The students are using their 5-finger rule to help them choose their "good-fit" books. If they miss more then 5 words on a page the book is too difficult for independent reading.

Next, the students help determine the rules for "read to self". For example: no talking, spread out from friends and neighbors, keep our eyes on our books, reading the whole time, etc.

 
Once we have successfully chosen some good fit books and determined the expectations we begin to practice "Read to Self". To build our stamina we start small (with a 3 minute timing) and try to add at least a minute a day. Mrs. Cooper's class reached 8 minutes this week and Mrs. Coleman's class reached 10 minutes!


The purpose of "read to self" and building stamina is to help the students be successful, motivated learners. It also improves their ability to focus on independent tasks for longer periods of time. This will benefit the children in years to come as the content and skills learned become more and more difficult and require more and more of their attention.

Building a Classroom Community

 To create a strong classroom community we like to begin the year discussing and creating a "class promise". Our promise includes how we will treat each other and our materials with kindness and respect. It also includes how we accept others and always try our best. Our promise represents a contract that the students sign and decorate with their faces.

Check out Mrs. Cooper's class collage of self portraits

First Week of School!

We made it through the first week...and what a wonderful week it was!!

We have thoroughly enjoyed meeting our new first graders this week. We are already learning about the children's likes and dislikes. We've even learned some of their hopes for their first grade year. This past week we have been practicing rules and procedures in the classroom and we are steadily working on building our first grade family relationships.

HOMEWORK: 
Next week, we will begin sending homework home with your child. Homework will be sent home on Monday and should be returned with your child on Friday. Homework directions and expectations will be explained on an attached sheet and sent home in the front pocket of your child's folder.

When you are reading with your children this week ask them to identify the characters, setting & events. This will be our comprehension focus for the next two weeks.

Also, while practicing your sight words this week try to identify the consonants and vowels. This should be review from Kindergarten. It is also beneficial to have the children identify their sight words within the context of their books at home.

There are many ways to practice math at home. To reinforce addition and subtraction strategies use food! Practice putting groups together and taking them apart with cheerios, M & M's, skittles or beans.

Thanks so much for all you do! It's going to be an amazing year!

Back to School!!!

Hello parents and students,
We have been busy preparing for the upcoming school year and we are so excited to meet all of you! Some important dates to remember are listed below:

Back to School Bash: August 13 5:00-7:00 located in the cafeteria

Meet the teacher: August 16 12:00-2:00 in your child's new classroom

We hope to see you there! Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Lowry Park Zoo Field Trip