Dear Parents and First Graders,
Welcome! I am looking forward to a wonderful school year! This will be an interesting and exiting transition for both you and your child. I just want to give you a brief introduction to myself and explain some procedures and important information about our classroom.
My name is Sue Swanson and this is my third year teaching first grade. I live with my husband Mark, our four boys, and our two dogs, Chester and Koda. We have a busy household and you will hear many funny stories about them.
We have a super year planned with many fun activities. We will be covering many different topics in first grade. Learning to read is the biggest! This is quite a step in your child’s education. I feel fortunate to work with and witness your child’s growth.
I feel communication is vital for the successful year. My door is always open for you to come in and observe or help out in the classroom. You can also contact me by phone, e-mail or sending a note.
Snack
We will have snack every day. Each student needs to be responsible for their own snack. Please send appropriate snacks, things like crackers, fruit, raisins, pretzels, ect. The students will be able to get a drink during this time, so a juice box is not necessary.
Reading
In first grade we do leveled reading in which students will have the opportunity to read at their ability level. I will be testing kids the first few weeks of school to find out which level fits them the best. They will work on their leveled books throughout the school day, but it is also very important that they are able to practice at home. Each night your child will bring home a reading folder with a book and a log sheet in it. Please practice these books, fill out the log sheet and send the folder back the next day.
Sight Words
Every week I will send home a sheet of 8 sight words. You can have your child cut them out and attach them to the word ring that I will provide. Please practice these with your child on a regular basis.
Homework
In first grade, students should be working on homework 10-20 minutes a day. I will be sending home a letter explaining your child’s homework after school starts. Homework will be assigned on Friday and due the following Thursday. This will help you stay connected with what your child is learning in the classroom.
Newsletter
Every Friday I will be sending an electronic and/or a paper copy of our classroom newsletter. This is a review of the skills your child worked on for the week as well as our digital day schedule and important upcoming events. Please take time to read over this and mark important dates.
Birthdays
We will celebrate each child’s birthday together and recognize that child with a song, birthday hat, certificate and pencil. If you would like to send a store-bought treat, you can send it with your child on that day or you can make special arrangements with me. We have 23 students in our classroom this year. If you would NOT like your child’s birthday recognized, please contact me. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in January, February, and March. I will let you know!
Student of the Week
Starting the third week of school we will begin recognizing each student as Student of the Week. Each child will complete an ALL ABOUT ME sheet at home that tells a little bit more about themselves. Please help your child answer questions about themselves. You may send a picture that relates to each topic if you wish. The children love sharing pictures of themselves! Along with this, your child will have an opportunity to sit in the “Author’s Chair” and read a special book of their choice to the class. Please practice having them read the book to you ahead of time.
Sharing
An important part of your child’s day in first grade will be sharing. I believe that this is a good opportunity for the students to get up in front of the class and speak about an object or event that is special to them. We will take a few minutes everyday to focus on sharing. Each day a different child in class will bring home a sharing bag. They will need to put an item of their choice in the bag. Then they will need to write three clues about the item to share with the class. The class will then try to guess what the object in the bag is.
Classroom Rules
We will be having a behavior management system in our class. This will help our class make good choices and make the learning process go smoothly. The following are discipline management rules and expectations for our classroom. Please discuss them at home with your child as we will also discuss them in class.
¨ Be respectful to teachers, other students and to yourself. Always try to be a good friend.
¨ Follow directions and be a good listener.
¨ Keep your feet, hands, and objects to yourselves.
¨ Keep our room clean.
Digital Days
We will be following a 6 day rotation for Specials. Here is our schedule:
Digital Day 1: Phy.Ed
Digital Day 2: Media & Art
Digital Day 3: Phy. Ed
Digital Day 4: Music
Digital Day 5: Phy. Ed
Digital Day 6: Music & Computer Lab
NOTE: Digital Day 1 will be the first day of school, Tuesday, September 8th . Please have your child remember their tennis shoes for Phy.Ed.
This is only the beginning of our fun filled year together! I will let you know about other upcoming important events or items.
Finally, I would like to thank you again for coming. Please take the time to read all the following inserts. I realize there are several, but they will be helpful to your and your child. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to get in touch with me. Thanks for sharing in your child’s education and allowing me the opportunity of working with him/her.
Thank you, Sue Swanson
School Phone # 497-0904
Mrs. Swanson’s extension 7212
Welcome to Open House
Thank you for visiting our classroom. I am very happy to meet you and look forward to seeing you every day. Please look around the room.
Here is a checklist of things to do at Open House.
o Look through your books, but please keep them here for us to use. You may put your supplies in your desk or cubby if you brought them. (Put Kleenex and Zip lock bags on back counter. Thank you!)
o Have your Mom or Dad fill out your emergency form and insurance waiver. Please put them on the rectangle table.
o Please find your locker.
o If you brought lunch money you can turn it in at the cafeteria.
o Please sign up for Fall conferences in the Gym. If you don’t sign up tonight, I will send a sign up sheet closer to the conference dates. Please fill out a reminder slip to mark the date on your calendar.
o Please come and see me! I want to talk to you. Have fun and look around the school. Check out the gym, media center and cafeteria!
Mrs. Swanson