Classroom Update

We have been working hard in our first grade classroom! Everyone is learning the new routines, procedures and expectations. We are learning how to show whole body, 5 star listening (eyes are looking, ears are listening, lips are closed, hands are still, feet are quiet). We are also working on doing our personal best! Basically this leads to being a good citizen both in and outside the classroom.

READING AND WRITING

We just completed our review unit in our reading series. Now we have begun Unit 1 - Back to School. This reading series might seem slow for some children, however, it is teaching very important skills for reading and writing. It is going back and building a strong foundation that will help your child become better at word attack, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, understanding the make up of words, omitting and changing sounds in a word and essentially becoming better readers and writers this year and in their future education.

MATH

We just completed the Unit 1 - Numbers to 10. My Math In Focus lessons consist of various questioning techniques to further concept understanding. For example, "What do you think?", "How did you get your answer" , "Explain this to the class". I am taking a guiding approach and allowing a lot of hands on work with manipulatives as well as encouraging reasoning and problem solving skills. These skills are essential for your child's learning and ability to think in the cognitive-pictorial-and abstract levels.

HOMEWORK

This reading series does not address spelling words until later on in the year. At that time, students will have homework that helps them study spelling words. It is assumed that your child practices high frequency words that have been introduced for 3-5 minutes a few times a week. Automatic recall is necessary for your child to become fluent reader.

Along with high frequency word practice, reading to your child nightly is very important to their development as a reader. When you read to your child, you are modeling appropriate fluency and expression. Eventually, your child should read to you. Your child should read or be read to 10-20 minutes per night. While reading, please talk to your child and ask them about what is being read (who, what, when, where, why and how). This questioning technique will help your child develop comprehension.

Reminders:
Ice  Cream Social is Tuesday 9/29 6:00-7:30
Picture Day is Wednesday 9/30

Thank you for being an important part of your child's first grade year!

Smiles,
Mrs. Salcito

Ice Cream Social

 First Grade Ice Cream Social is Tuesday, September 29 6:00-7:30

Please stop by your child's classroom to view samples of their work thus far. The children are very excited to show you all their hard work. They are especially excited to share an ice cream with you,

 shop at the book fair, and introduce you to their new friends. This event is always a big hit! Hope to see you there!

Picture Day

Picture Day is Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Please send in order form with your student if you choose to place an order. We will be taking individual pictures and a class picture on this day.

First Day of First Grade

The Salcito Dorito's were hard at work today! They had a great day and should be quite tired this evening. It was extremely warm today and I wanted to remind everyone that the children may bring in a water bottle to keep at their seats. They can refill it if necessary. It helps to stay hydrated on days like today.

Class Visitation Day

Thank you to all the families that came and visited our classroom on Thursday afternoon. I enjoyed seeing each one of you. Kudos to all that completed the Scavenger Hunt! Please make sure that everyone gets lots of rest this weekend. I am so excited to see all the "Salcito Doritos" bounce into class come Monday morning.

A Note From Mrs. Salcito

~ A Note From Mrs. Salcito~

Dear Parents,

I want to welcome you and your child to first grade! You will play a key role in your child’s learning this year as YOU are their role model. In first grade, your child will gain an important foundation that will be beneficial in the years ahead.

In my classroom, your child will learn how to read and write. They will also learn some important math and science concepts. At times, this year may seem challenging for some and not challenging enough for others. My goal is to reach your child’s maximum potential while in my classroom.

                                                                         Communication

Communication is a very important part of your child’s education. This includes student/teacher as well as teacher/parent communication. There are many ways in which I will be communicating with you this year. Some examples include: a parent/teacher conference, progress reports and report cards. Besides these formal ways, I encourage you to communicate questions and concerns by sending a note or emailing me at school (ssalcito@sau15.net). I will be utilizing this blog as my primary source of communication.

                                                                           Lunch and Snack

While in first grade, your child will have lunch from 12:00-12:25 each day. They can bring a home lunch, buy a sandwich or buy hot lunch. They will make this decision each morning as part of their morning routine. Please help them remember what to do each day. In order to maintain a level of energy throughout the day, your child will also have a snack time in the afternoon around 2:30. I ask that your child comes to school every day with a snack and a drink or they can buy milk for snack time. However, please remind him/her that he/she will need to make that decision first thing in the morning. Please discuss this with your child and make sure it is clear whether or not they need to purchase milk for the afternoon or if you have packed him/her a drink for snack time. In the past, some parents have sent a separate bag labeled “snack” to help prevent confusion.

                                                           Pick up and Bus Changes

If there is a change in how your child will be dismissed from school (i.e., change of bus or change to parent pick up), please send in a SIGNED, DATED note with YOUR CHILD’S FIRST AND LAST NAME as well as “Mrs. Salcito” written on it. This will inform the office of the change and insure your child is dismissed accordingly. If there are last minute changes during the school day please communicate the change by calling the office directly by 1:00 pm.

                                                                 Birthdays/Invitations

Birthdays are very exciting and important to your child. As a class, we will give your child a birthday crown and sing a special song. To show respect to students who may have food allergies, please refrain from sending in any type of food for the class. 
Due to privacy and school policy, invitations will not be allowed to be passed out in the classroom, even if the whole class is invited.

                                I look forward to working with you this year!                                      Thank you for supporting your child’s first grade year!

                                                                                                     Smiles,                                                                                                                                Mrs. Salcito

Bouncing Into Grade 1

The count down is on! So excited for the Salcito Dorito's to bounce into Grade 1. See you all soon!