I love having short weeks, field trips, and fund raisers… but sometimes, I just need a few “normal” weeks to get things in place. That is what I’m hoping for this week. We have finally started STEM lab, Library, STEM projects, and Science. This week we add Centers. So much is happening in first grade! And we get cooler weather on top of it! So…

1. Please remember that sweaters may not have hoods and must be uniform colors to wear in class. PLEASE LABEL THEM!! The kids are starting to need them. 

2. I have high academic expectations (especially on handwriting… you can’t communicate by writing if no one can read it!) and the kids are doing great! If you see “Practice” (soon to just be a capital P), please do some review at home. Also look for comments… I write them to help you and the students know what is good or needs improvement. Also, encourage the kids to ask if they need help.

3. Remind them that school is A LOT more fun if the class is listening and following directions. This gives us that time to do some of the “extras” in class. There’s been some talking issues and repeating directions over and over takes our time up. I tell them that they “drain my energy” when they don’t let me teach. They are working on “filling my energy” so I can fill their’s. Most of the time they are WONDERFUL… but we’ve been losing some recess minutes, so I mention it. It never hurts to have some backup!! 

I am having such a good year …with great students … supportive parents! It is awesome!! Talk to you next week… check out the homework page.

BTW… if you have Zoo FT pictures, please email them to me and I’ll figure out how to get them up for everyone to see.