There is a lot more to teaching than academics. One of the things Mrs. Garza and I work on with our students is learning how to speak up when a classmate/schoolmate does something they don't like. This involves learning how to look at the person and confidently say, "I don't like it when you do that. Please stop." We also work with the child hearing those words and coach them with how to apologize, state their side of the story, and/or explain that it was an accident.
1ST QUARTER LITERACY CELEBRATION: After a one and half year hiatus first grade quarterly literacy celebrations are back! The first grades students will have the opportunity to gather with their fellow first grades schoolmates, do some fun crafts, and eat some yummy snacks. I gave the activity tub and information to our classroom coordinators less than two weeks ago. They, along with the classroom coordinators from 1A and 1C have worked quickly to put the celebration together. They did send out links for volunteer and donations opportunities but just in case you missed them: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FAEAB22A1F4CE9-volunteer and https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4faeab22a1f4ce9-literacy PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: Next week is fall break. The week after that is parent/teacher conferences. The sign up links went out in Friday's Athenian Echo but just in case you missed it: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084CAFAF22AAFA7-fall1 *Notes - Many of the conferences are scheduled back to back. Please be sure to arrive on time so that we do not get behind schedule. - Please be sure to view your child's report card before your conference. Thanks bunches!!! GENERAL ACADEMICS: Spalding - Students will learn 6 new words on Monday, 6 words on Tuesday, review the 12 words on Wednesday, and take the spelling test on Thursday. Math - Story problems, true statements, ordinal numbers *Important note- For math homework only have your child complete the workbook page(s)assigned for that day!!!!!!! Science - The science study guide on matter will be sent home tomorrow (Tuesday the 28th). The unit test is on Thursday the 30. Literature - Owl at Home Poetry- "Work" by Anonymous *Note - Poetry recitations are this week!* UPCOMING DATES: Tuesday, September 28 - Singapore Math Info Night for Parents, 6-7 PM October 1-8 - No School: Fall Break Friday, October 9 - Quarter 1 Student Evaluations available in Powerschool Parent Portal by 5 PM October 11-13 - No School: Parent/Teacher Conferences October 11-29 - PSO Read-a-thon October 19 - PSO Night at Chipotle Goodyear, 4-8 PM Please see the Athenian Echo for more information about upcoming dates and events. VIEWING YOUR CHILD'S REPORT CARD ON POWER SCHOOL: As stated above and in Friday's weekly Athenian Echo, student evaluations will be posted in the evening of October 9th. Last year one of my wonderful parents typed up directions for the easiest way for her to view the report card. I asked her permission to keep the information so that I could post it each quarter. Here is her very helpful directions: "Hi Mrs Spencer! Here’s how I look at the grades on my iPhone. I’m not sure if it will look different on android phones. I open the link sent by the school and log in. I then turn my phone sideways to get the biggest view of the website. It really helps!!! At the top left corner, directly under the students names, there are 2 arrows. One Up/down arrow and one side to side arrow. Open the side to side arrow by clicking on it. This opens a menu on the left hand side. The menu has links for report card, grades and grade history and some other items that don’t seem to give any real information. Click on The report card link. That gives access to your comments and number grades for each subject. You have to keep scrolling down to see everything. This gives the most information. It also gives last quarters grades so you can compare. The grades link is where I find the “IP” and “P” grades for classes including specials. The Grade history link shows me kinder and first grade “P” and “IP” grades. I find the report card and grades to be the most beneficial links in the menu. I hope this helps!!" ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I used to ballroom dance. I was never in any competitions. I just did it because it made me happy. Then I moved here, leaving my dance instructors back in Iowa. Life happened and I haven't been dancing for 20 years. I finally decided a 20-year hiatus was long enough!!!!!! I found a small, privately owned studio in Buckeye - Peigne' Dance Studio. This past Friday was my first lesson. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's to another 40 years of dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THE GOOD: - 1B filled up their marble jar so they get to have a marble jar party. The class was slightly disappointed that they have to wait until the end of 2nd quarter to have the pizza party our class won on Peter Piper Pizza night, but their didn't last long when they found out they get to have popsicles Thursday afternoon! Have a great fall break and I will see you a conferences.
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As a first grade teacher I learn a lot of interesting things from my students. Today one of my students informed me that ants and worms carry noodles.
THANKS: Mrs. Garza's birthday celebration was wonderful! Mrs. Garza wrote thank you notes to those students who sent gifts and put them in the red homework folders. When I returned to the classroom after dismissal duty I found two on the floor. Since thank you notes don't always make it home please know that they are written and sent. ;-) GENERAL REMINDERS: Tattoos -If your scholar put those temporary tattos on his/her arms or hands please make sure they are removed before attending school. Communication - If you have questions or comments about anything you are welcome to write a note on the homework log that is located in the red homework folder. The best way to contact us is through e-mail. Please be sure to include both Mrs. Garza and I in all e-mail communication. Our e-mails are: [email protected] [email protected] GENERAL ACADEMICS: Spalding - Students learned 9 new words today. They will learn 9 new words on Tuesday and 8 new words on Wednesday. We will review the 26 words on Thursday and the test will be on Friday. Math - Methods of Subtraction Science - Atoms, matter, states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) Literature - Owl at Home *Note - If you child does not have Owl at Home here at school please send it to school no later than this Wednesday the 22nd. Grammar - Common nouns and proper nouns Poetry - "Work" by Anonymous *Note - Poetry recitations are next week. UPCOMING DATES: Tuesday, September 21 - Roosevelt Info Night for Archway Trivium East Parents, 6-7 PM Saturday, September 25 - Great Hearts Telethon, Trivium featured from 2:30-3:00 PM Tuesday, September 28 - Singapore Math Info Night for Parents, 6-7 PM Please see the Athenian Echo for more information about upcoming dates and events. ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I volunteered to help for the Parents' Spalding Night last Thursday. Mrs. Pim and I had the opportunities to present to a full classroom of K-5 parents. I was a bit nervous at first but I ended up having a lot of fun! NAME THE GOOD: - Our classroom coordinators did an amazing job organizing Mrs. Garza's birthday party. - Ask your scholar about building stamina during Daily 3. (They made it to 20 minutes!) - 3 months and 5 days until Christmas! (Yeahhhhh... I love Christmas. Everything about it. If Christmas was hobby it would be mine. You may have to get used to seeing an occasional countdown here in the "Name the Good" category. *not so sheepish grin* Have a cheery week! The discussions that take place in this classroom often boggle my mind. The insights students have to what is going on around them should never be underestimated. The discussion that I wrote about two or three weeks ago when the class worked together to create symbols to help them remember the steps for the Scientific Method is an only one of many incredible examples. However, there are often times, when we have discussions on topics that are very much a 1st grade level and leave me smiling and thankful that I am able to teach young children. Last week we had a very serious discussion about how one's finger is not the tool to use to get buggers out one's nose. :-)
IMPORTANT MATH NOTES: Friendly Notes - Our wonderful math program provides "Friendly Notes" to copy and send home for each new math unit. The "Friendly Notes" provide parents with a resource of examples of some of the different methods used in the classroom as well as some of the math language used. As each math concept builds on the next, I encourage you to keep the Friendly Notes in a folder to use when helping your child with math homework. - Friendly notes for the next unit (Methods of Subtraction) were placed in your scholar's red homework folders today. (Tuesday the 14th.) Math Homework Pages - We check the math workbook pages completed for homework almost every morning. I have noticed that there are several students completing workbook pages beyond what is assigned for the day. When I plan the math lessons I am very deliberate in which page(s) are chosen for each day's homework. We kindly request that you only do the page(s) assigned for that day. Please note that if your child is absent we will try to write in any pages completed in the classroom on the day your child was absent. GENERAL ACADEMICS: Spalding - Students will learn 9 new words on Tuesday, 8 new words on Wednesday, and review all 17 words on Thursday. The spelling test is on Friday. Math - The meaning and methods of subtraction History - Ancient Mesopotamia unit wrap up. *Note - The unit test is on Friday. The study guide will be sent home on Wednesday. Literature - The House at Pooh Corner Poetry - "Work" by Anonymous UPCOMING DATES: Thursday, September 16 - Spalding Night for Parents, 6-7 PM Friday, September 17 - Trivium Spirit Day (Full Day of School) Tuesday, September 21 - Roosevelt Info Night for Archway Trivium East Parents, 6-7 PM Saturday, September 25 -Great Hearts Telethon, Trivium featured from 2:30-3:00 PM Tuesday, September 28 - Singapore Math Info Night for Parents, 6-7 PM NAME THE GOOD: - You will probably see me singing (aka writing) Mrs. Garza praises multiple times this year. She is the one who organizes all of the homework folders for students who are present or absent. She does such a good job! Have a nice week! Almost everyday students work in math groups for the first 10-15 minutes of the lesson. This allow students to explore a new concept, build on previously learned skills through discovery, or review a previously taught concept. Mrs. Garza and I not only ask leading questions to guide students towards a new way of looking at a math problem, but we also coach the groups in how to work together, how to be patient with one member if he/she does not understand something, and how to ask for help if something is not understood. On Friday we were reviewing "making ten" and number bonds. The groups had to work together to come up with as many different ways to make ten as they could. The comradery was amazing, their voices were soft as each group conversed, and I stepped back and listened to the magical buzz that I hear when a lesson is going well.
IMPORTANT MID-QUARTER INFORMATION: A couple of years ago a co-worker was thinking about different ways in which to most effectively communicate with parents about how their scholar is doing in class. She started sending out mid-quarter reports. Based on feedback, she found that parents felt it very helpful so I began sending reports out the following mid-quarter. In today’s homework folders I am sending home a Mid-quarter grade report. This report will have your child’s current grades for the quarter. Also included in this report are your child’s scores on classwork, homework, tests, and quizzes. This informal report provides you with information in understanding how your child is doing in class during the first few weeks of the school year. The mid-quarter grades for ELA will not reflect your child’s current reading level. This level will be calculated at the end of the quarter. This mid-quarter report will also not include grades for Xtramath as that is also calculated at the end of the quarter. I am requiring that the report be signed and returned once you have viewed grades so that I know you have seen it. Please return signed by Friday September 10th. The grade of 1 is considered below grade level expectations / the student needs some help with the skill. The grade of 2 is considered inconsistent to the grade level expectations/ the student is showing evidence of learning it but not yet consistently. The grade of 3 is considered to be meeting the expectations of the grade level. There are 4 weeks left in quarter 1 to continue to support and help your scholar. Below I have listed tips for supporting at home.
GENERAL ACADEMICS: Spalding - Students will learn 7 new words on Tuesday and 7 new words on Wednesday. We will review the 14 words on Thursday and the spelling test is on Friday. Math - Methods of Addition including counting on to add, the use of number line, and identifying true and false statements History - Ancient Mesopotamia Literature - The House on Pooh Corner Grammar - Singular and Plural Nouns, Possessive Nouns Poetry - "Hearts Are Like Doors" *Note - Poetry recitations are this week! UPCOMING DATES: Thursday, September 9 - PSO Family Night at Portillo's Avondale Monday, September 13 - No School: Great Hearts Faculty In-service Thursday, September 16 - Spalding Night for Parents, 6-7 PM Friday, September 17 - Trivium Spirit Day (Full Day of School) ON A PERSONAL NOTE: The teaching profession can be rather consuming. I have to work very hard to not focus on school stuff when I am home. This past three-day weekend was fun. I got to celebrate my dad's birthday, read, and play games with my family. I also spent several hours on school stuff Sunday afternoon and was here in the classroom all day yesterday. I am not sure if I feel relieved at getting caught up with stuff or irritated that I was here for 8 hours. One always has a choice of what to focus on so I am focusing on the relief. I got a lot of stuff done! NAME THE GOOD!: - My dad turned 78 this weekend!! - There were 6 other teachers here at school yesterday so I got to have some great conversations with them whenever I took a break. - I was reading a Winnie-the -pooh story today. There was a l of laughter in the classroom when Tigger attacked Pooh's tablecloth. |
AuthorMs. Spencer Archives
May 2022
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