September Newsletter

Full Swing

We have 21 students with 11 boys and 10 girls. We are trying to master our classroom routines and rules.  One part of our routine is learning our schedule, which I have attached for you.  The other part is learning the rules of our classroom.  We are learning how to get the teachers attention, how to sit quietly when I am teaching, and what our room should sound like and look like when we are working at our desks.  This takes a lot of practice and many reminders but we are all hoping that it will become more automatic soon.

Clip chart

First Grade is using a clip chart system to help students check themselves throughout the day.  They each have a clothes pin clipped to a colored chart.  Each child starts on green everyday.   If a child displays good behavior they will be asked to “clip up” (example: following directions consistently).  They will then move their clip up the chart.  In the same aspect, if their behavior isn’t where it needs to be they will be asked to “clip down”.  In which they will move their clip down the chart.  Starting at the top of the chart and moving down is:

Outstanding – pink,

Great Job – purple,

Good Job – blue,

Green – Ready to Learn,

Yellow – Slow Down,

Orange – Think About It,

Red – Parent Contact

This is a great system for students to correct their behavior if needed.  We will also be sending home a nightly record sheet in their Take Home Folder.  Your child will fill in the color they ended the day on.  You will then sign the sheet and they are to return it the next day in their Take Home Folder.  

Good Behavior

We are adding marbles to a jar for our good behavior in our classroom.  When it’s filled in the whole class will receive a special treat.  Hopefully by the time you are reading this we will have it all filled in.  Ask your child how many marbles the class received each day.  They will be excited to share the details with you!

Hard Work 

First Grade is hard work and it shows on the students.  I have been noticing a lot of tired kids in the beginning days of school.  Please make sure your child gets an adequate amount of sleep each night.  This helps keep them focused throughout the day and helps them stay happy.   We also ask that you continue getting your child to school on time so they can start their day nice and relaxed.

Weather Change

It’s hard to believe but there is a chill in the air already.  Please make sure your child has the appropriate attire for the weather.  Jackets are nice because they can be taken off if kids get too hot. 

At Home Work

Please keep working on these skills with your child regularly:

     Number recognition

     Alphabet recognition/sounds

     Counting to 30

     Read to them

     Listen to them read to you

Off and Running

It has been a good start to the year so far.  We are having a great time getting to know each of our first graders.  We are looking forward to a very productive year and are excited to talk with you in a few weeks.  We will continue to send monthly newsletters to keep you posted on news in First Grade!

Donations

We will always be in need of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes if anyone would like to donate items.

~Mrs. Sienknecht, Mrs. Nunn & Mrs. Pepper