Embedded Files
Hello and Welcome to First Grade!
Hello and Welcome to First Grade!
About Me
My name is Joanna Wiverstad (Ms. W.) and I am a first grade teacher at Arroyo Del Oso.
I am a level 3 teacher who has a Masters Degree in Curriculum and dual certifications in Special and General Education. I also have a TESOL endorsement and experience with teaching students who speak a variety of languages.
My teaching philosophy is that every child can learn and that education is the first step in building a successful life.
This year we are lucky to have a resident teacher working with our class. Her name is Nikole Lobato (Ms. Lobato) and she is a student teacher working towards her Bachelor's Degree with the Teacher Residency Program. She will be with us all year and slowly taking over the role of teacher as the year progresses. I have complete faith that she will be amazing 😄
Our Classroom
The running of our classroom is student driven. Independence is encouraged and every student will be empowered to practice individual and group problem solving.
We use a classroom economy system called "ClassBank". Through this application students can apply for class jobs, earn points for doing their job and going above class expectations, and spend those points in our class store.
To foster community and decrease any issues with things going missing, all school supplies are shared.
If you are not comfortable with your child sharing their supplies (pencils, crayons, markers, etc.) please have them keep theirs at home to complete homework assignments. They will still, of course, be able to use the classroom supplies while at school.
Technology
Technology is used in the classroom both for learning as well as earned free time. We will be using an app called Seesaw for teacher-parent communication as well as classwork. Paper and pencil work will also be completed but it is important that children who are growing up surrounded by technology learn how to use it responsibly and safely.
Devices will not be sent home. Homework will not be done on devices.
If your child has a computer/tablet at home and you would like them to work on the same applications that we use in the classroom at home just let me know and I can share their log-in info with you.
Homework vs. Classwork
I believe that the home-school connection is paramount in reinforcing learning and behavior. Nightly homework is a self-selected prompt from a monthly homework menu and at least 20 minutes of reading. On the back of the homework menu is information about what we are learning in class that month and the resources to support those lessons are linked in the "Parent Resources" link on this page.
Classwork that is unfinished due to individual behavior or absence will be sent home for students to complete for homework as necessary.
Report abuse