| Announcements for the week of: JUNE 23RD TO 25TH
As our year together comes to an end, I would like to take a moment to
reflect back on my year as your children's First Grade teacher and share my
thoughts and feelings with you. It goes without saying that this is a very
emotional time of the year for me. Although I am looking forward to the
summer break, I will dearly miss my 22 boys and girls! Words cannot
sufficiently nor eloquently express how enjoyable this past year has been
for me as an educator nor can words adequately and passionately express how
extremely proud I am of your children's endless accomplishments; academic
and otherwise, this year. Thank-you for honouring me with the divine
pleasure of being your children's First Grade teacher. I hope that I have
done all of you proud. Spending time as your children's teacher reaffirmed
every day within me, my passion to become a teacher. They made me realize
every day that I truly do have the best job in the world! As our year
together comes to an end, I would like to leave you with this poem:
FIRST IS BEST
Yes, I teach the First Grade.
Where else would a handsome and very young man put his arms around me and
ask, "Do you know that I love you?"
Where else would I tie so many hair ribbons and and belts and shoe laces and
daily get to see a style show of pretty dresses and shirts?
Where else could I wear the same clothes day after day and be told each time
that I am pretty?
Where else could I walk around tables and have warm hands touch me?
Where else could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive a
promise that I may pull them when they are loose enough?
Where else could I eat a soiled piece of food from a a grimy little hand and
not get ill?
Where else would the future look as bright as it does amid an energetic
group to whom nothing is impossible?
Where else could I guide letter formations of a chubby, little hand that may
some day write a book or an important document?
Where else could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut
fingers, scratched knees, bumped heads, and broken hearts that need
immediate care?
Where else could I forget life's troubles because little "Johnny" is not
grasping reading and other lessons as he should?
Where else would my mind have to stay so young as with a group whose
attention span is so short that I must always be on my toes and keep a "bag
of tricks" up my sleeve?
Where else could I feel such an overwhelming sense of pride because of
something I have taught or instilled?
Yes, I do teach the First Grade, and I LOVE IT!
Have a safe and fun summer. See everyone in September!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
Wednesday, June 25th-Last Day of School/Report Cards AND Beach Day
MY FIRST GRADERS CONTINUE TO BLOSSOM AND BLOOM IN EVERY WAY-INTELLECTUALLY,
PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, ETC. HERE IS A SNEAK PEEK AT MY INSTRUCTIONAL WEEK:
In Language Arts, during our "Guided Reading" literacy block, we will
read daily a thematic-based big book. Each day, we will use one reading
strategy to read the book together on the carpet (read aloud, echo read,
shared read, choral read). Upon finishing the book each day, we will
complete a specific "After Reading" activity. During our "Working With
Words" literacy block, we will review many of our Word Wall words. During
our "Writing" literacy block, we will continue to draw and write daily in
our Writing journal books; some days having free choice about the writing
topics; while on other days, writing about a teacher-assigned topic-namely,
reading comprehension story maps about recently read books. During
our "Self Selected Reading" literacy block, the children will select books
from our thematic bookshelf to read independently.
In Mathematics, we will continue to investigate and discuss a wide variety
of mathematical concepts during our daily morning carpet calendar time.
Furthermore, during our "Mathematics" block, we will extend our learning as
we apply what we have earlier explored and discussed to independent seatwork
using our "Math Makes Sense" student workbooks.
In Science, we will begin a unit all about the properties of water.
In Visual Arts, we will continue to use a variety of art tools and art
mediums to create writing and reading accompanying illustrations, various
artistic masterpieces.
RECESS SNACKS: Your child needs to have 2 small and nutritious (nut-free)
snacks EVERYDAY! One of these snacks will be eaten at morning recess and
the other, during afternoon recess.
A FURTHER REMINDER.....HOMEWORK WEB PAGE: PLEASE REMEMBER TO VISIT THIS WEB
PAGE EVERY SUNDAY TO LEARN OF THE UPCOMING WEEK'S HOMEWORK!
SPELLING: Please visit the "Homework" web page to learn of the words and
sentences.
HOMEWORK REQUIREMENTS' REMINDER: ALL students must read daily and practice
the weekly spelling words. THESE ARE "MUSTS". The homework calendar and
its activities are optional/extra enrichment for those who wish to complete
them.
SHOW AND SHARE REMINDER: On his/her specific day, your child is invited to
bring to school 1 item from home to show and share with his/her classmates.
The item must fit completely inside his/her backpack. It CANNOT be
associated with anything violent. Check the "Show and Share" weekly
schedule web page to learn of your child's day. YOUR CHILD MAY ONLY SHOW
AND SHARE SOMETHING APPROPRIATE ON HIS/HER DAY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND TOYS TO
SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD.
A reminder that June's "Author of the Month" is Mr. Marc Brown. To support
my instruction and activities in the classroom, I encourage you to read as
many of his delightful books at home as well. I will be reading many of
his books as simple read alouds and when your child visits the Listening
Center each week during June, he/she will be listening to one of
his books on CD/tape.
Before closing, I continue to strongly urge you to read carefully and
thoroughly through this web page and each of its icons, along with
the "V.I.P." (Very Important Parent) Information Handbook. Should you have
any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me immediately.
LET'S CONTINUE TO SHINE, "T.E.A.M."!
With warm regards,
Miss Crocker
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