Mrs. Bryer's Newsletter
September 24, 2012
Yellow Take Home Folders
The folder contains a calendar that is one way to communicate between school and home. You can write change of transportation notes as well as changes in routine that may effect the classroom. It is also a prompt for your child. Look through the papers in the folder. Ask your child about them. For example, the manila papers with pen writing all over them is teaching the children to get ready for bellwork writing. They came in all week, took care of their morning routine, and added getting their clipboard, pen, and paper. They learned to come to the carpet, write their name, and draw until everyone was ready. We practiced a few numbers and then learned to file it away. The lesson, simply learning the routine of getting and putting away supplies. The children will become independent, self sufficient students. They did very well!
Nuts and Bolts
- We have plenty of class snack at this point thanks to generous parents. If those signed up for October would rather send in a large bottle of hand sanitizer, snack baggies, or microwave popcorn that would be wonderful. The children are doing well washing after sneezing and coughing and they prefer sanitizer over hand washing.
- Our new class schedule is working much better. The children are understanding that if we transition quicker and have less interruptions that the time at the end of the day is theirs to be social. Some friends are spending this time finishing work because they are talking a lot at their tables. They will learn quickly, I hope, to work and talk at the same time.
- Keeping our hands to ourselves is still an issue. Children are not hitting each other, please understand this. They are excessively touching hair, clothes, and body. It is bothersome to those they are touching and it has caused harm at times. Children are being pushed/ tripped when others are using their hands and feet inappropriately. This is especially a problem in lunch.
- Children MUST touch only their food in the cafeteria. It is not a pleasant day when your food is being touched by others. Either you eat it because you are hungry enough (gross) or you don't and stay hungry.
Morning Assembly
If your child is having breakfast at school they need to get here early enough to eat before assembly. Remind them to go straight to the cafeteria to eat. If they tell me after assembly that they haven't eaten breakfast it is too late, the cafeteria is closed.
Early Dismissal
Fun Friday
The children also made a "Touch" chart. I was impressed with how well they were able to follow directions. They are really learning to ask for assistance at their table in reminding them of the steps as well as looking around at what others are doing to remind them. They are not allowed to look and copy. They are, however, aloud to use the visual cues around them to assist them with directions. Using your environment is a great skill at any age!
Parent Conferences
Motor Lab
Homework!
- counting out loud to 20
- identifying numbers 0-5
- identifying shapes (circle, triangle, square, rectangle)
- identify the letters in their name in isolation
- write their name correctly
- cut with scissors (open and close the scissors with one hand, thumb on top)
Family Time
- When asking your child about their day, ask specifics. Who did you play with at recess? What did you do in the motor lab? What was the story read after recess? When you ask about the "day" there is too many things swirling around in their head to pin point a focus for the day.
- Make the bedtime routine as consistent as possible. Be sure to include a book or make up an elaborate story. If the hustle and bustle is too much with multiple kids at bedtime consider reading after dinner. The time with your child sitting in your lap is priceless. My 9 year old would love to be able to still sit in my lap and read if he would fit! Instead we lay in his bed and read nightly.
- Try to make the morning routine as consistent as possible as well. If your child is eating breakfast at school please drop them in time to eat before assembly. If your child rides the bus remind them to go to the cafeteria before morning assembly.
- Plan to have your child attend morning assembly if possible. It begins at 7:50 with a school wide dance., announcements, social lesson, and pledges. It is a great way to start the day together.