Leader In Me Parent Resources

Here is a great site to keep parents in the "know" about the Leader in Me program. It will be great to share common language at home and school. :0)

http://www.theleaderinme.org/parents/

Great First Day, folks!

Good Evening!

I wanted to send a quick note and let you know that we had a fabulous first day of first grade (despite a very soggy dismissal, ha!!) I have loved beginning to get to know each of the students and they have had fun getting to know each other also. We have already begun building community through a morning meeting, writing and sharing about ourselves, and some other fun activities. We are working on establishing routines and procedures to make for a smooth year.

A couple of reminders:

-If you were unable to attend meet the teacher look in your child’s take home folder for some paperwork. Please fill out and return the GOLD transportation form and emergency dismissal form as soon as possible.

-We will have an afternoon snack each day. Please send a healthy snack with your child if you would like them to have one. Remember we are a nut-free environment. :0)

-Coming home with your child tomorrow will be a Social Studies assignment I need your help with. It is called the “Me Bag” and instructions will be attached. Please help by sending these items in next Monday, August 21st.

Do not hesitate to contact me with questions.

We’re going to have a great year of learning together!

Sincerely,

Heather Koenig

First Week

I am really looking forward to jumping right in with the students this week! The beginning of each new year is so exciting!

In first grade we spend the first several days building community, practicing routines and procedures, and setting the tone for a special school year together. A large focus in the first few days is establishing our norms for morning meetings. These morning meetings ensure our days run smoothly.

We will also become familiar with the Panther PRIDE language by having lessons around:
P practicing safety
R reacting responsibly
I initiating kindness
D demonstrating respect
E embracing cooperation

Beginning the third week of school, our buddy class (4th graders) will start teaching us about the 7 Habits of Happy Kids in conjunction with our Leader in Me initiative. Much more to come on this topic! :0)

When we begin diving into the curriculum, I will be posting essential questions and information regarding our learning and try to give examples of how you can reinforce at home.

Transportation Forms and Dismissal Procedures

If you attended meet the teacher this afternoon, you had the opportunity to fill out the dismissal form and the emergency dismissal forms. If you missed our event this afternoon, I will send these forms home with you to complete. Please send them back to me as soon as possible so I can make sure to send all students home the appropriate way each day!

Should you have a special arrangement or a change in a usual dismissal plan for the day, please make sure you let me know as soon as you are able. You can send a note to school with your child, or an e-mail works. If you send an e-mail and do not hear back from me by noon, please follow up with a call to the office. At times I may be in meetings or development and unable to check my e-mail.

First Grade Schedule

Mrs. Koenig’s Class Schedule

2017-2018

9:10-9:20  Morning Meeting

9:20-10:15  Writing Workshop

10:15-10:30 Recess

10:30-11:25  Math

11:25-11:55 Lunch

11:55-12:35  PMI / Word Work

12:35-12:50  Recess

12:50-1:45  Science / Social Studies

1:45-2:45  Specials

A- Art  

B-PE/Music  

C- PE/Music

D- PE/Library (check-out day)

E- PE/Library

2:45-3:50  Reading

3:50-4:00 Dismissal

Welcome Letter

Dear Families,

Hello and welcome to another exciting school year! I am thrilled to be your child’s first grade teacher! First grade is so much fun. I wanted to share a little bit about myself with you…

This is my seventh year teaching first grade at Shenandoah Valley. I love the pure joy and enthusiasm that first graders bring into the classroom. It is such an exciting time of growth and development, and definitely where my heart and passion are as an educator.

My personal philosophy for teaching focuses on the whole-child. I value your child’s social, emotional, and academic intelligence and strive to support them in all areas. Our classroom is a safe, warm community which fosters independence, problem-solving, and student growth. I am big on relationships and make that my first goal. I want to get to know each child so I can meet their individual needs. I value communication and make every effort to communicate effectively regarding your child’s progress.

On a more personal note, my husband and I have been married six years and we have a two-year old son, Gavin. We are very family-oriented and spend most of our free time with family and close friends. Being a parent myself has helped me truly appreciate that you all are entrusting me with your most precious treasures!!!

I look forward to the learning ahead of us! Never hesitate to contact me. I appreciate your partnership to ensure your child makes great strides this school year.

Most Sincerely,

Mrs. Heather R. Koenig

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

Curriculum updates

We're wrapping up the school year! Can you believe it?! Over the next 8 days we will continue to work hard in all curricular areas. We will continue to have fun as well. The last five days are "theme days" with activities that correlate with first grade learning targets and all revolve around a common theme. The kiddos always really enjoy these days. Here's a quick update with some of the material we will be covering for the remainder of the school year!

Writing: Students are working on advice books for incoming first graders. This is a wonderful reflection on their learning this year, and an opportunity to continue perfecting their first grade writing and mechanics. Students also wrote letters to their future second grade teachers. When class lists come out in August, I will make sure teachers receive the letters so they can get to know your children! We completed our final writing assessment of the year, and also our word chunk list. We will continue to practice things like "ed" and "ing" endings and contractions to prepare students for second grade!

Math: We are working on our 'step up to second grade' unit. During this unit we have been introducing the ideas of: even/odd numbers, arrays, using a hundreds chart to add and subtract, using models to add 2-digit numbers (with regrouping), using models to subtract 1-digit and 2-digit numbers, telling time to five minutes, understanding hundreds.

We will also continue to work on fact fluency and story problem solving!

Reading: I am currently assessing reading levels. It is taking longer than expected because students due to amazingly high reading levels :) As I work on assessing students, the class is working on various writing tasks related to their reading to increase comprehension. In upper grades, students are expected to do writing about their reading so we like to do some practice with this at the end of the year. Students also continue to work in partnerships some days.

Social Studies: We are working on our producers and consumers economic unit. See last week's post regarding specific details. :) Students are enjoying learning about wants/needs

Additional info: Students are practicing basic coin ID as well as adding coins and some days we are doing a "word of the day" to address vocabulary development.