Classroom Information & Management
Class Schedule
7:45 - Morning Routine
8:05 - Morning Meeting
8:25 - Math
8:40 - Science
9:55 - Snack & Recess
10:20 Encore
10:50 Writing
11:30 - Lunch
12:10 - Quiet Time
12:30 - Literacy
1:55 - Recess
2:30- Dismissal
Library
Students will bring home up to two library books from the MPE library on Wednesdays. Students can read and enjoy these at home for the week. After two weeks, library books become overdue. The librarian will email you and send home a paper reminder about any late books. If a student has not returned their book after two weeks, they will be able to check out one new book. If bringing home a book becomes an issue at home, please let me know and we can keep checked out books here at school! Happy Reading!
Reading Baggies & Home Activities
Extra work/activities at home: Throughout the year, work or activities may be sent home in your child’s Daily Home Folder. There is no daily or weekly homework and none will not be taken for a grade. It is work or an activity to reinforce a certain skill, to help develop responsibility in your child, and to give you an idea of what your student is learning. For instance, a math practice page will come home most days to give you an idea of what your student is learning and to reinforce the skill; it is not required to come back (students have generally enjoyed bringing it back to share if they do complete it and this is totally fine too!). If something I send home is a requirement, I will give you a notice and note a due date on the activity. For example, we do a project in early spring that will get the family involved! I never want this work to take away from family time. We see this as an opportunity to show you what your child is learning in school.
Example of at home assignments: animal habitat project (sent home in the spring)
Reading Baggies: It is important to note that research shows it makes a difference for children to hear/watch expert readers (usually adults), be exposed to books, and for you to listen to them read. Our goal is for all of our students to grow and become independent strategic readers, and together, with your help, we can accomplish our goal! We highly encourage 15-20 minutes per evening of reading. I will reach out with details when reading baggies start coming home!
Word Lists: Lists will come home every week in the back of your child's folder so you know what phonics/spelling pattern skills are covered at school. Practice at home is beneficial and encouraged in the orange journal sent home at the beginning of the year. While we do work with these words weekly here at school, there will not be a weekly test. Instead these words are assessed at the end of every unit to assess an overall mastery of the phonetic patterns.
Birthdays
Whether your child’s birthday is during the school year or over summer break, we can’t wait to celebrate your child! On their birthday or half birthday, they will receive a special birthday sticker and they’ll choose a book from the office! (donated by PTO)! In the classroom, we’ll acknowledge their birthday during morning meeting (sing if they like) and make a birthday book for your child as a gift from their classroom family. First grade does not utilize birthday treats.
Party Invitations: Per the student handbook, students are not to distribute invitations for parties held at home unless every student in the class is to receive an invitation. Thanks for your understanding!
Snacks
Students will have an opportunity to have a snack each morning at recess time. If your child would like to have a snack, please send one in their backpack or lunchbox each day. MPE kindly asks that you do not send snack items with nuts as there are nut allergies present in our classroom. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school.
