It's a new year, new students, fresh minds, and lots to learn and do. In addition to Twitter, check back here to see what's happening. I can see who's accessing the blog, and it appears that several of you are looking. Please let me know which you use, Twitter or this blog, by commenting below. I don't want to scatter information around too much.
Thanks!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Hello!
I know it has been two weeks since I have sent home a newsletter. With progress reports to prepare, and having sick kids at home, AND with Halloween and birthday festivities, it has been a busy two weeks! My apologies for not sending anything home. I hope you understand.[Symbol]
What's Going On?
We have been learning about weather, fall and fall weather. Next week, we will go more in depth into learning about fall, and the kids will be writing about fall at the end of the week. The kids have had trouble separating seasons from weather. For example, when asked what kind of weather they like, I have gotten responses such as, "I like fall." So, I am trying to help them understand that all kinds of weather happen throughout the year, but some seasons have more prevalent types of weather. For instance, fall has wind and rain, winter has snow and ice, etc. Any support you can provide, mostly through conversations about it, will help. :)
In Reading, the kids have been reading stories with common themes. This week, they have read Henny Penny, Chicken Little, Interrupting Chicken and Three Hens and a Peacock. They are focusing on details from the beginning, middle and end. In our conversations, we focus on the characters, and what happens in each part of the book. I am working with them on avoiding general terms such as "stuff," (they do stuff), and trying to be more specific. This allows me to know what they truly understand. If I ask what kind of "stuff" the characters did, and they cannot tell me, then I know that attending to specific events is an area to work on. Yes, they are still little, but I am trying to build a solid foundation for comprehension that will benefit them as they progress through school.
In Math, we have been studying geometry. The kids have learned what a vertex and right angle are. (I know! First grade!?!) Despite the difficulty of the concept, they have done very well. I am very proud of them for trying so hard! They are also learning how to construct new shapes out of existing shapes, and to recognize that shapes are everywhere. After that study is finished, they will be moving into patterns. We will be studying repeating and growing patterns. This is a very creative and artistic group, so I do not anticipate any problems with this.
Writing is an integrated subject that is used throughout all areas of learning. They are learning how to add ideas to a bubble map, which will help them know what they can write about when it comes time to write. This is the same as brainstorming. The kids are continuing to work on forming their letters and numbers correctly.
Reading groups are in full swing. I have five reading groups. Three groups meet with me every day, and two groups meet every other day.
Progress Reports, Conferences and Report Cards
Progress reports were e-mailed out to students who had a DP in one area. Most of the students had at least one DP, as they are truly developing in at least one area. If you did not receive a progress report, but would like to know how your child is doing (I do send home all graded work), please check Parent Portal. Conferences will be on November 4th. I would like to know who can come in on the 4th, and who would like to meet on another day. I will be able to meet for 15 minutes.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Quick Thoughts After a Long Day
You hear it in the news all the time. Teachers are quitting. They are overworked, underpaid, and just plain burnt out. I was discussing teaching with a colleague, and I reflected on the fact that I have made it to ten years! On average, teachers stay in the profession for 5 years before exiting the career. There were times when I have wondered just how much longer I can do it. Here's why I keep going:
1. This morning, a former student came to my room as the day began. He told me of his recent trip to the Outer Banks, and a trip to Duck Donuts. Then, he gave me a pink rubber duck with "I LOVE YOU" painted on its front. I gave him a big hug, and he went on his way.
2. A student of mine kissed me on the cheek when he was dismissed for his bus.
3. Today, another former student told her mom that instead of going to skating lessons, she wanted to write instead.
4. Yesterday, a student hugged me and said, "I love you," as she left for her bus.
Does it get any better than that? Really! I sometimes feel like I couldn't be any luckier.
And that is why I am still here. And yes, I love my job. I love my kids.
1. This morning, a former student came to my room as the day began. He told me of his recent trip to the Outer Banks, and a trip to Duck Donuts. Then, he gave me a pink rubber duck with "I LOVE YOU" painted on its front. I gave him a big hug, and he went on his way.
2. A student of mine kissed me on the cheek when he was dismissed for his bus.
3. Today, another former student told her mom that instead of going to skating lessons, she wanted to write instead.
4. Yesterday, a student hugged me and said, "I love you," as she left for her bus.
Does it get any better than that? Really! I sometimes feel like I couldn't be any luckier.
And that is why I am still here. And yes, I love my job. I love my kids.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Great Start!
Hello everyone!
I hope you found the newsletter enclosed in your child's Friday Folder. There are a couple of items I would like to note here, and I will send this home in your child's homework folder on Monday.
1. Homework folders: this week, your child will come home with a math contract sheet, and a reading log. The activities on the math contract are meant to cover 3 weeks. Your child DOES NOT need to do more than one activity per night. For the reading log, simply record the book(s) your child read with you, and the minutes spent reading. You can keep the reading log in your child's folder. Also, if you place homework in your child's folder and it is still there the next day, please leave it in there. It just means I did not get to collect it, but will as soon as I have the chance to get it. Next week, your child will come home with a set of 5 sight words to learn. I will highlight the words to learn, and they need to be flashed to them on index cards. They will also need to practice writing the words on paper provided.
2. Behavior Expectations. Last week your child learned all about what is expected in the classroom. Our three main rules are: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Clean. If a child receives a warning, but continues to break one of the rules, he goes from green to yellow. If the behavior continues and does not improve, he or she will have a talk with me. If it still does not improve, a note will go home, and he/she will move his/her card to red. I did have some students go to red last week, but I did not send home any notes. I told them this week they were still learning and practicing. This upcoming week, they will be held more accountable for their actions. Please know that I am very patient, and I know they are still adjusting to being there for a full day, and still learning what being a first grade student means. More often than not, I give them many chances (far beyond two) before having them go to yellow or red. The main behavior we are currently working on is raising your hand to speak, and not talking while others are sharing or teaching. If your child went to yellow, I will send home a note in their homework folder. If they went to red, a red note will go home. I will follow up with an e-mail or phone call.
Again, I am loving your little ones, and I can't wait to see them tomorrow! They are doing a fantastic job!
Love,
Mrs. Richards
I hope you found the newsletter enclosed in your child's Friday Folder. There are a couple of items I would like to note here, and I will send this home in your child's homework folder on Monday.
1. Homework folders: this week, your child will come home with a math contract sheet, and a reading log. The activities on the math contract are meant to cover 3 weeks. Your child DOES NOT need to do more than one activity per night. For the reading log, simply record the book(s) your child read with you, and the minutes spent reading. You can keep the reading log in your child's folder. Also, if you place homework in your child's folder and it is still there the next day, please leave it in there. It just means I did not get to collect it, but will as soon as I have the chance to get it. Next week, your child will come home with a set of 5 sight words to learn. I will highlight the words to learn, and they need to be flashed to them on index cards. They will also need to practice writing the words on paper provided.
2. Behavior Expectations. Last week your child learned all about what is expected in the classroom. Our three main rules are: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Clean. If a child receives a warning, but continues to break one of the rules, he goes from green to yellow. If the behavior continues and does not improve, he or she will have a talk with me. If it still does not improve, a note will go home, and he/she will move his/her card to red. I did have some students go to red last week, but I did not send home any notes. I told them this week they were still learning and practicing. This upcoming week, they will be held more accountable for their actions. Please know that I am very patient, and I know they are still adjusting to being there for a full day, and still learning what being a first grade student means. More often than not, I give them many chances (far beyond two) before having them go to yellow or red. The main behavior we are currently working on is raising your hand to speak, and not talking while others are sharing or teaching. If your child went to yellow, I will send home a note in their homework folder. If they went to red, a red note will go home. I will follow up with an e-mail or phone call.
Again, I am loving your little ones, and I can't wait to see them tomorrow! They are doing a fantastic job!
Love,
Mrs. Richards
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Welcome!
Welcome to my class! I am so excited to have you here. I am fairly sure you're a parent reading this, or a parent reading to your child, or reading this for yourself. In any case, I can't wait to meet you.
This will be my tenth year teaching, and my ninth year at Trantwood! I taught fifth grade for five years, and fourth grade for three years. I taught kindergarten in Albemarle County prior to moving to the area, and I have been anxious to go back and teach the little ones! There is something so special and wonderful about the ages of 5-7. So much learning and growth are possible. Plus, I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from JMU, so I am excited to finally be able to put my years of schooling into action.
If you are a parent, and are wondering what you can do for your child at home, all I have to say is: READ. It is the single most important skill that any student will ever need in life. It transcends across all areas of life. The more a person is able to read and understand, the more involved in society he will be. Your child may be young now, but as you know, NOW is the time. I can't wait to be a part of the journey for your child.
So, welcome, and I hope you enjoy my site.
Thanks!
This will be my tenth year teaching, and my ninth year at Trantwood! I taught fifth grade for five years, and fourth grade for three years. I taught kindergarten in Albemarle County prior to moving to the area, and I have been anxious to go back and teach the little ones! There is something so special and wonderful about the ages of 5-7. So much learning and growth are possible. Plus, I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from JMU, so I am excited to finally be able to put my years of schooling into action.
If you are a parent, and are wondering what you can do for your child at home, all I have to say is: READ. It is the single most important skill that any student will ever need in life. It transcends across all areas of life. The more a person is able to read and understand, the more involved in society he will be. Your child may be young now, but as you know, NOW is the time. I can't wait to be a part of the journey for your child.
So, welcome, and I hope you enjoy my site.
Thanks!
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