Classroom Information

Birthday Information

Birthdays are a very important event in every child's life! We love celebrating them and I hope that you will be able to join us in the celebration. We will honor your child's birthday with a "birthday book." A family member or special person may join our class to read a book of your child's choice. If you or a special person is not available to come in to the classroom to read the book for any reason, just send a book in with your child and we will read it together as a class. After the book is read, all of the students from the class may sign the book if you choose. What a wonderful memory!

Please contact me at least a week before you would like to come into school so an appropriate time can be scheduled into our day! I look forward to sharing your child's special day!

Bucketfillers

In our classroom and school we follow the Bucket Filling philosophy. This philosophy is based off the book titled Have you Filled a Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids) by Carol McCloud. This book informs us that we all carry an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. When our bucket is full we have positive feelings. When our bucket is empty we feel upset and sad. A bucket filler is a person who is kind and does nice things for others. When we do kind things for others, we in turn are filling our personal buckets as well. On the other hand, a bucket dipper says or does things to cause others to feel bad. When we dip into other people's buckets, we too feel bad.

In our classroom we strive to be bucket fillers at all times! To find out more about Bucketfilling, click here.

Snack

Please check the homework folder daily for your child's assignments. Students should also be reading on a nightly basis to foster their literacy growth!

Please be sure to send in a NUT-FREE snack each day. It should be a small, healthy snack, which can be easily eaten. I ask that you do not send juice boxes or milk for snack time, as they tend to be messy. Students may bring a water bottle to school with them each day. In the past, it was helpful for students to have snack packed in a separate bag, so it was easily accessible. Please make sure all snacks are labeled with your child's name.


You are welcome to join our class to share...

  • a talent

  • a hobby

  • an aspect of your career

  • a holiday

  • a tradition

  • a read-aloud that is a cherished family favorite

  • new discovery

Please email me if you are interested in joining our class and let me know which month would be best for you! Thank you!






OHES Homework Belief Statement

We believe that the primary focus of school should be cultivating a love of learning. In very young learners, research has shown that formal homework does not have a substantial academic benefit. At Orchard Hill, we believe that time should be used to read nightly, with adult involvement. In addition, we believe that children should have developmentally appropriate experiences that promote social and emotional growth. Some examples are: active play, participation in after school activities, crafts and family time. Due to these beliefs, Orchard Hill does not assign formal homework.



Brain Growers

In our classroom, students will stretch and grow their brains by challenging themselves to learn new things daily. Students will learn about the five stances to having a growth mindset. Growth Mindset habits will help students be successful. Students will be learning about these stances and habits through read alouds and class discussions. Throughout the year, we will celebrate as students participate in showing optimism, resilience, flexibility, empathy, and persistence. We have a class Bravo Board to show off students doing these habits all year long!

Scholastic

Scholastic Book Clubs has made discovering the joy of reading a cherished part of childhood. Handpicked with love by Scholastic editors and literacy experts, the monthly catalogs are filled with the best children’s books for each grade level.

Welcome to Scholastic Book Clubs and happy reading!

https://clubs.scholastic.com/home

HOW TO ACCESS SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS

  1. Go to Scholastic Book Clubs website

  2. Click on Sign In or Sign Up

  3. Enter your Username & Password

Class Code NT66B


SEESAW


This year, we will use Seesaw to share what is happening in our classroom throughout the year. Seesaw is an amazing app that provides a SAFE and CREATIVE way for your child to document their learning while practicing digital literacy skills in a moderated environment.

Each child will have their OWN online journal to which they will add photos, videos, drawings, and notes to showcase their learning in authentic and fun ways.

I love Seesaw because it opens the walls of our classroom and allows communication between not only parent and teacher but student, as well!

For parents, it will help you to stay informed and involved in your child's learning. You can download the app from the App Store or you may access Seesaw (click here) on the computer. When there are new Seesaw posts, families can be notified via app notification, email, or SMS. Parents are only notified about their own child’s work, and all data is safe and secure (click here to learn more).


For more information on Seesaw, watch this video (click here)!