Mrs. Knox's Class
1st Grade - Room 107
September 16, 2023
What We Are Learning
This was such a fantastic first two weeks of school. It was so great meeting all the kids and being back in school. The kids were ROCK STARS! They were so excited to be in school and see old friends and make new ones. It made my heart happy.
We have spent a lot of time getting to know one another and learning about our classroom and school. We have learned all about our classroom and school expectations.
Reading:
We have read and enjoyed a lot of books. Read alouds are my favorite part of the day. We are building good reading habits. We are learning that readers have favorite books that they read over and over again. We are also learning that readers have different interests and are learning how to treat books properly and put them away in our classroom library. During Read to Self time, we have been talking about finding a ‘good fit’ spot to read. I love watching the children spread out around the classroom with books. One of my main goals is for children to love books and reading. We have been spending a lot of time each day enjoying books with each other. There is so much to learn from books and one another.
Writing:
We started practicing the correct formation of letters and numbers. It is important to remember to always start our letters at the top. We are working on writing our names with a capital first letter and the rest lowercase. We have also been practicing listening for beginning, middle and ending sounds in words. The kids are getting so good at identifying sounds and writing them down.
Phonics:
We have a dedicated spelling/phonics time everyday. We spend time identifying, blending and segmenting sounds, . We have also been reviewing all the letter sounds. This time is an important part of how kids learn to read.
Math:
We are learning the different ways to represent each number; the word, tally marks, dominoes, dots, etc... We are working on visualizing numbers as a 5-group and ones, as well as different ways to represent numbers 1-10. We are working on writing the numbers correctly and identifying numbers that come before or after any number. We continue to play lots of games to practice number sense and addition.
Social Studies:
We are learning about what a citizen is and what it means to be a good citizen in our school and community.
Science:
We will start learning about plant and animal organisms and specifically organisms that live in the pond in preparation for our field trip to Barkhausen.
Leader in Me
One focus of the first few weeks of school have be on the Leader In Me program. The Leader in Me program is an introduction to personal leadership and provides students with activities that will help them learn practical character and life skills that will lead to positive choices. This program is used throughout the district.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school’s mission and vision, and look for ways to be a good citizen.
Habit 3: Put First Things First:
I spend my time on things that are most important.
I work hard and then play hard
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want.
When conflicts arise, I look for solutions that everyone feels successful.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings.
I try to see things from their viewpoints.
I listen to others without interrupting.
I am confident in voicing my ideas.
I look people in the eyes when talking.
Habit 6: Synergize
I value other people’s strengths and learn from them.
I get along well with others, even people who are different than me.
I work well in groups.
I seek out other people’s ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than any one of us alone.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep.
I spend time with family and friends.
I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school.
I take time to find meaningful ways to help others.
Field Trip
Field Trip
We will be going to Barkhausen on October 5th. We will be spending the morning exploring the different organisms that call the pond their home. We will be outside the whole time. Children should dress for the weather and possibly mudding conditions. There is no limit on chaperones on this trip however, chaperones must drive themselves and can not ride the bus. Please indicate on the permission slip or let me know if you are available to chaperone.
Please fill out this permission slip:
https://howard-suamicoschools.revtrak.net/es/fge/#/f/fg-1st-grade-field-trip-to-barkhausen
Important Dates
Wednesday - Library Books Due
September:
- September 22nd - No School - Teacher Professional Development
- September 27 - Community Open House 5:30-7:30
October:
- October 4 - Field Trip to Barkhausen
- October 5 - Picture Day
- October 12 - Picture Day Order Forms Due
- October 13 - No School - Teacher Professional Development
- October 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 26 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 27 - No School
Snack and Water Bottles
Please send in a water bottle with your child. The water filling stations are available. Please only send water, no flavored or colored water, gatorade or juice. Thanks
Dining for Donations
Schedule
Specials are from 12:45-1:45
Phy Ed. - Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Mr. Crocker)
Music - Tuesday, Wednesday
Art - Thursday
World Cultures - Monday, Friday
Library/STEM - Tuesday
Library Book Checkout - Thursday
Library Books Due on Wednesday
Lunch - 11:32-11:52
Recess - 12:10-12:30 and 2:25-2:45
Please send tennis shoes on Phy. Ed. days or leave a pair at school.
Please dress for the weather - we will be going out for recess most days. Thanks!
Our Class
Birthday Treats
Your child is welcome to bring a birthday treat to celebrate his/her birthday. The treat needs to be store bought and individually wrapped. We have 17 kids in the class.
Homework
We work hard all day in 1st grade. I want children to love learning and coming to school. I also believe they should be able to spend time exploring other things outside of the classroom. It is important to have time at home to play games, ride bikes, do puzzles, color, and have family time.
iPads
Please have your child bring his/her school issued iPad fully charged everyday. Chargers should stay at home. IPads will be going home everyday and need to be sent back to school with your child the next day. It would be helpful to wipe them down often to prevent germs. Remember this is a school issued device. Make sure your child has a working set of headphones.
Dismissal
Pick Ups: Dismissal starts at 3:30. Please do not arrive prior to 3:25. If you do, please park in the parking lot and enter the zone at 3:25. Please have your car tag ready.
Busses: Students who ride the bus will be dismissed at 3:30 to board the busses.
Please let me know if your dismissal procedure changes in anyway. It is best to email both myself and the office if your child is a pick up instead of a bus on any day. Sometimes kids get confused about when they are a pickup or a bus rider.
Communication
This letter has been sent out to include everyone listed with emails on your child’s powerschool page. If there is any other email address you want me to include (or if you want me to delete one), please let me know and I will be happy to correct my listing. Otherwise you will regularly hear from me with important information through this format.
I also have a website that has our schedule and links to newsletters for you to refer back to.
Contact Information
The best way to contact me is by email at briaknox@hssdschools.org
You can also reach my voice mail at 662-7930 and I will return your call as soon as possible.
You can also contact the office at 662-7958 and leave a message with the secretary.
Brianna Knox
Email: briaknox@hssdschools.org
Website: https://mrsknoxfirstgrade.weebly.com/
Phone: