Embedded Files
October
October
We are kicking off another month of friendship and learning! We have a busy few months ahead of us! Please check Class Dojo daily to stay up-to-date on all the latest activities and events!
As you know, one of our goals this year is to improve student attendance. A key part of that goal is reducing unexcused absences and we need your help! When your child is absent, please let us know the reason by submitting the absence through ParentVUE or by calling our attendance line at 505-344-4412, then press 2. This communication is so important, it helps us understand how to best support your child and ensure they don't miss out on valuable learning. Thank you for partnering with us to make every day count!
Charlotte's Web Youtube Read Aloud
Charlotte's Web Youtube Read Aloud
Our Read-a-Thon is in full effect! This year’s One School, One Book pick is Charlotte’s Web! In addition to reading it at home, we will also be reading it together in class. Do not worry about sending the book back and forth from home to school! Keep the student's copy at home. Every week, students can complete fun reading challenges for a chance to win a small prize. These challenges are open to all students, regardless of fundraising participation. Completed worksheets should be returned to Mrs. Hendricks in Room 309 each week. The final reading log is due October 9th. Let’s make this a fun month of reading, school spirit, and community support!
Our Read-a-Thon is in full effect! This year’s One School, One Book pick is Charlotte’s Web! In addition to reading it at home, we will also be reading it together in class. Do not worry about sending the book back and forth from home to school! Keep the student's copy at home. Every week, students can complete fun reading challenges for a chance to win a small prize. These challenges are open to all students, regardless of fundraising participation. Completed worksheets should be returned to Mrs. Hendricks in Room 309 each week. The final reading log is due October 9th. Let’s make this a fun month of reading, school spirit, and community support!
brandi.raimondi@aps.edu
brandi.raimondi@aps.edu
LETTER FORMATION
When your child is writing, please remind them to write the letters “top to bottom” Follow the guide below for proper letter formation so that this practice can be followed at home!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
October 6: Fall Picture Day
October 7: PTA Meeting 6:00pm in the Library and online. https://meet.google.com/gpe-wgfx-uos
October 8: 40th day, Popcorn/Pickle day. Skills, Habits, and Mindsets Survey 3rd-5th 9:15-10:15.
October 9: Last day of Read-A-Thon
October 10: Fall Break, NO SCHOOL
October 13: Indigenous Peoples Day, NO SCHOOL
October 17th: Aquarium, Botanical Gardens, and Heritage Farms field trip for K-4th, 5th grade field trip to Sandia Mountains.
October 21: Grandparents Raising Grandkids event at Valley HS 9:00-12:00.
October 22: No School for PreK
October 25: Fall Carnival
October 29: PAC Meeting
October 31: Storybook Parade
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Mason (3)
MS. BRANDI'S BRAG BOARD
MS. BRANDI'S BRAG BOARD
August:
Social/Emotional: Our class is kind and respectful! Whenever a friend drops their pencil box, others are always willing to help pick up the materials! :)
Academic: According to Amira, 50% of our class is proficient in reading and 39% is proficient in Math!
September:
Social/Emotional: Show and Tell has been a hit! The students are confident presenters, as well as respectful listeners!
Academic: Wow! The class has made so much academic progress in such a short time! We are finding ourselves fixing fewer letter and number "reversals", reading more challenging words, increasing writing stamina, and noticeable gains in math and literacy quizzes!
October:
Social/Emotional: All of the students have been exercising their ability to problem-solve with their peers! This work is tough, but they continue to work hard at it every day!
Academic: Students' letter/sound recognition has greatly increased! We are getting used to reading digraphs like ch, sh, wh, ck, and th in words and improving more and more every day! They are also working hard practicing glued sounds like -ong, -onk, -ing, -ink, -ung, -unk, -ank, -am, and -an.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I graduated from UNM in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. A couple years later, I returned to school, earning my Alternative Teaching License in PreK-3rd grade. I am currently in a Master of Education with Emphasis in School Counseling program at Eastern New Mexico University. In my free time, I enjoy listening to podcasts, jogging, and spending time with my husband and our three kids. As an educator, I believe every student and their families bring something unique to the classroom. As your child’s teacher, I will be committed to creating a safe, welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment that fosters growth for all, both academically and socially/emotionally.
What To Expect
What To Expect
We have so many exciting things to learn this year! Here are some of the main areas we’ll focus on:
Reading
1. Literature & Informational Text
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
Retell stories and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story.
Use text features (headings, tables of contents, glossaries) to locate facts.
Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
2. Foundational Skills
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills.
Read with accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
Recognize high-frequency words (e.g., sight words).
Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words.
3. Writing
Write opinion pieces with a clear topic and reasons.
Write informative/explanatory texts with facts and closure.
Write narratives with sequenced events and details.
Participate in shared research and writing projects.
4. Speaking & Listening
Participate in collaborative conversations with peers and adults.
Ask and answer questions to clarify understanding.
Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details.
5. Language
Use correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
Learn and use new vocabulary, including academic and domain-specific words.
Math
1. Operations & Algebraic Thinking
Represent and solve addition and subtraction problems within 20.
Understand the relationship between addition and subtraction.
Add and subtract fluently within 10.
2. Number & Operations in Base Ten
Understand place value (ones and tens).
Compare two-digit numbers using symbols (> , < , =).
Add and subtract within 100 using models and strategies.
3. Measurement & Data
Measure lengths indirectly and by using nonstandard units.
Tell and write time to the hour and half-hour.
Organize, represent, and interpret data using charts and graphs.
4. Geometry
Reason with shapes and their attributes.
Compose two- or three-dimensional shapes to create a composite shape.
Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares.
🔎Science & Social Studies – Exploring the world around us!
We’ll also enjoy Art, Music, P.E., Library, and Nature!
Our Daily Schedule
Our Daily Schedule
7:15-7:30 Good Morning! Welcome
7:30-7:50 Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
7:50-9:00 English Language Arts (ELA)
9:00-10:00 Specials (7:50-8:50 on Wednesdays only)
10:00-10:15 Recess
10:15-11:00 Science/Social Studies
11:00-11:40 Lunch/Recess
11:40-12:45 Math
12:45-1:00 Recess
1:05-2:15 English Language Arts (ELA)/Multi-Level Systems of Support (MLSS)
2:15 Dismissal
SPECIALS
SPECIALS
Monday- Library (9:00-10:00 am)
Tuesday- PE (9:00-10:00 am)
Wednesday- Music (7:50-8:50 am)
Thursday- Nature (9:00-10:00 am)
Friday- Art (9:00-10:00 am)
Completed work will be sent home daily in a red folder labeled “Daily Work”. Please review this work with your child. Send the folder back every day.
🌟 CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
🌟 CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
As a class, we will focus on being safe, organized, accountable, and respectful. We’ll use positive reinforcement and social-emotional learning to help everyone feel safe and supported. Together, we’ll build a happy, caring classroom community.
Please review the school-wide rubric below to learn more about our SOARing All-Star expectations!
Please review the attendance policy
Homework Policy
Homework in first grade is designed to reinforce classroom learning, develop positive study habits, and involve families in the learning process. It is meaningful, manageable, and developmentally appropriate.
General Guidelines
General Guidelines
Time Expectation: Homework should take no more than 10–15 minutes per night, not including nightly reading.
Frequency: Homework will be assigned from Wednesday to Wednesday. Homework will be sent home every Wednesday in a yellow folder labeled Homework. Please send this folder back every Wednesday.
Why Wednesdays? The work will follow the current unit, which will begin on Mondays. Sending homework on Wednesdays will allow students time to gain understanding of what they are learning that week, which will lead to more independence and confidence at home
Reading: 10–15 minutes of reading each night with an adult or independently.
Practice Activities: Short assignments in math and phonics to reinforce classroom learning.
Family Engagement: Optional projects or activities may be offered to encourage home-school connection.
Developmentally Appropriate Features
Developmentally Appropriate Features
Homework is focused on review and practice, not new content.
Assignments will be clear, simple, and require minimal adult help.
Family Role
Family Role
Encourage your child to do their best, but avoid correcting or doing the work for them.
Create a quiet and consistent space and time for homework.
Read with or to your child daily and talk about the story.
Teacher Commitment
Teacher Commitment
Homework will be purposeful and checked regularly.
Feedback will be positive and encouraging.
Homework will never be used as a punishment.
Flexibility and Support
Flexibility and Support
If homework becomes stressful or takes too long, please let me know as soon as possible.
Supplies & Readiness
A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a big smile go a long way each day!
Supplies & Readiness
A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a big smile go a long way each day!
Family Involvement
Family Involvement
Family connection is an important part of your child’s learning! Reading together, asking about their day, and staying in touch with me can make a big difference. I’ll share regular updates via ClassDojo. Click on the link to join!
Family connection is an important part of your child’s learning! Reading together, asking about their day, and staying in touch with me can make a big difference. I’ll share regular updates via ClassDojo. Click on the link to join!
https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68941d17f40f92c968344865
Progress Monitoring
Each week, students will complete a curriculum-aligned ELA progress check up as well as a math quiz which will then be graded, recorded, and sent home for you to review.
Each month, students will complete iStation’s Indicators of Progress (ISIP) Reading and Math assessments (Now known as AMIRA).
Students will also complete iReady testing at the beginning, middle, and end of the year.
I use assessments to understand how your child is growing as a learner and how I can best support them. Assessments in first grade are not just formal assessments—they include observations, classwork, reading checks, writing samples, math activities, and one-on-one conversations.
I use this information to:
Understand your child’s progress
Guide my teaching
Communicate with you
Set appropriate academic goals
Click on the link iStation category explanations to read about the iStation categories!
More information about Amira will be shared as it becomes available
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
We have so much to look forward to—class celebrations, field trips, special projects, and more. I’m excited to see all the ways your child will grow this year!
💌 Let’s Have a Great Year!
💌 Let’s Have a Great Year!
I believe every child can succeed with the right support and encouragement. If you have any questions or concerns, I’m here to help!
Warmly,
Brandi Raimondi
First Grade Teacher
Page updated
Report abuse