October 30, 2026

We had such an exciting week in first grade, a big highlight was meeting our 3rd/4th grade buddy class with Mrs. Melone! Throughout the school year, we will get together with our buddy room to read, play, and build cross-grade friendships. During our first visit, the students enjoyed listening to the story Stellaluna and creating bat crafts together.

Focus of the Week: Language and Expression

Our research on the state of Vermont is officially underway! Students explored maps of the United States to see where Vermont fits in and began comparing our state to others with very different physical features and climates. In literacy, students learned the FLSZ doubling rule and then moved onto reading and spelling two syllable words by focusing on compound words! We also learned about verbs (actions) and adjectives (descriptions) which will help students write more interesting and exciting sentences so readers can picture exactly what happened!

In math, students are developing mental strategies to quickly add and subtract 1 and 2. They also practiced categorizing objects and organizing data using tables. We took many (MANY) different surveyrs as a class and practiced showing the data using numbers and tally marks. This was such a fun way to get to know each other better while also practicing math skills. When students developed and gave their own survey to the class about our favorite activity at school, reading was a very popular choice for students! How amazing is that?!

And finally to celebrate everything we’ve been learning about having a growth mindset, students painted pumpkins and added seeds inside to symbolize how much they will learn and grow throughout this school year.

Character & Kindness: 

Through our buddy time reading Stellaluna, we talked about what it means to make friends and be a good friends. The students explored how we can celebrate all the things we have in common while also honoring and appreciating the differences that make each of us special. We have been discussing and celebrating kindness and being a good friend to help students bond and get more comfortable with everyone in the our class. This will be so important to ensure we have a supprotive classroom community where students feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas with friends, and working in small groups or partnerships. 

Home Connection:

• Literacy: You can practice using verbs and adjectives during everyday conversations! On a walk or during dinner, encourage your child to use precise, descriptive words. For example, instead of saying "I see a dog," try expanding it to "I see a huge, fluffy dog running!"

• Growth Mindset Check-In: Ask your child  about one new skill they are excited to "grow" this year.

September 25, 2026

Our students have been working so hard on demonstrating positive behavior, following our classroom routines, and building our community. We were excited to end the week with the Zucchini Relay! Students had a blast running with their teams and cheering each other on as a whole school community. Inside our classroom, students have been working hard on demonstrating positive behavior and following our routines. Thanks to all their teamwork, they earned a special class reward!

Focus of the Week: Ways to Pay Attention

This week, students were introduced to a fun new character named the Mindful Yeti, who helps us notice our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. We learned that being mindful and paying attention to our body is a way to calm the swirl of emotions (what we call "Hubbubbles") and help us be ready to learn. Over the coming weeks, we will continue learning techniques to help "settle the Hubbub" and practice paying attention no matter where we are. We also began talking about the "Power of Yet" (as in "I can't do this... YET!"). Students will be using this mindset to brainstorm goals for things they want to learn and master this school year.

During literacy, students explored our local neighborhoods and wrote about our favorite activities to do at home. They were also introduced some new routines to build skills for reading and spelling words. Students are beginning to apply these strategies directly into their writing by adding words and sentences to their pieces. In math, students continued developing and practicing different strategies for counting and adding.

Home Connection

• Literacy: When reading or watching a story, talk to your child about how characters are feeling. How do they know? Try using specific words do describe emotions. For example, instead of "happy" use "joyful" or "excited" and instead of "sad" use "disappointed" or "loney" based on what is happening in the story.

• Math: Many math activites include opportunties to work with a partner and play games. Practice being a good partner by taking turns, being kind, and helping each other.   

Character & Kindness:

Through games and classroom discussions, students explored new ways to show empathy and understand how others might be feeling. Learning to recognize classmate emotions helps us build a kinder, more supportive classroom community!

September 18, 2026

This week we celebrated an exciting experience in science when four of our classroom butterflies emerged from their chrysalises. We wish them luck on their journey south! Outside the classroom, students also spent time working in the community garden by harvesting potatoes that will be prepared in the school kitchen for everyone to enjoy. We even welcomed a special guest speaker named Recycle Rhonda, who gave an engaging lesson on waste management and taught us all about the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Focus of the Week: Belonging 

Our main focus this week centered on building a sense of belonging within our classroom and school community. After reading All Are Welcome, we discussed how every student plays a part in making our school a welcoming place. As a class we discussed how we can foster a sense of belonging by ensuring physical and emotional safety in our community. This included practicing using "safe bodies" by keeping our hands and feet in our own personal space during carpet time and while lining up. To help celebrate the concept of belonging, each student in the school decorated a paper circle with ideas on how to help others feel included. These will be displayed at the main entrance.

Home Connection

• Literacy: After reading a book, talk to them about if the book is giving information that is true (nonfiction) or if it is a made up story (fiction). How do they know?

• Math: Practice couting objects in different ways. For example, couting one at a time, arranging items in groups, and counting from a number other than 1.  

Character & Kindness: 

Creating a space where everyone feels emotionally safe relies on kindness. We continued to celebrate students using kind words, including others during play, and taking steps to build new friendships every day.

September 3, 2026

The past two weeks have been all about building our classroom community! We've spent time getting to know one another, learning names, and discovering new friendships.

Focus of the Week: Routines & Working Together

A primary focus this time of year is establishing foundational learning routines. Our class is actively practicing smooth transitions, lining up quietly, and working effectively with partners. A big part of establishing these routines means learning how to "Follow the Group Plan." In our classroom, we discuss the difference between "My Plan" (what an individual wants to do) and "Our Plan" (what the whole class is doing together). Following the group plan means putting our own ideas on pause so that all students can learn, transition, and work together safely and calmly as a team!

We are also placing an emphasis on "Whole Body Listening" (eyes on the speaker, calm hands and bodies, and quiet mouths).

Home Connection: Try it Out

You can help reinforce our classroom learning at home! Encourage your child to practice Whole Body Listening when sharing stories together by focusing on:

• Eyes on the speaker

• Calm hands and bodies

• Quiet mouths while others are talking

Character & Kindness:

We’ve been exploring what it means to be a helpful classmate. The students brainstormed and wrote about different ways we can show kindness every day. Please continue to point out and celebrate the small acts of kindness you see your child doing at home!

Communication between home and school is so important! The best way to reach me is via email.

I check my inbox each school day in the morning and afternoon. I will do my best to respond to all emails within 24 hours on school days. If you would prefer to schedule a phone call to check in about your student, please feel free to reach out via email so we can find a time that works best for both of us to connect.

Home Support Letters

Literacy

Math