Start Of School
          (UNDER CONSTRUCTION!)
The start of school is one of my favorite times of the year.  While I am always sad to see summer go, the excitement of a new year and a new "batch" of 1st graders is always fun! 
An excellent book!!: The First Six Weeks Of School by Paula Denton and Roxann Kriete Product Details

                                                            
To help break up the long first few days of school, I have the kids do "Ocean Stations" in the afternoon.  Kids work in 2's or 3's and rotate every 10-15 minutes for about an hour.  It takes them 2-3 days to get all the stations completed.
   Ocean Floor Puzzle               Fishing For Wall Words          sea shell graphing       Bean bag toss for Wall Word


         

On one of the first few days, I sent home a folder that contains a LOT of important information for parents.  Inside is the following:

  • This letter stapled to the front, to be signed and returned the next day.  Cover letter
  • A copy of our school-wide and classroom behavior plan
  • A copy of the "First Grade Facts".  (found on the "Our Class" page of this web site).
  • The "Help Wanted" paper for parents to volunteer  both in and out of the classroom.
  • A web page permission form asking parents their permission to put their child's image  on my web page. 
  • Curriculum notes: Math, Language Arts, Description of Guided Reading, Science, etc.
  • On the inside pocket I put a label with my phone number at school and also my email address..
  • A request for an e-mail address for each parent if they have internet access.