We learn from each other

In Transitional, we have an opportunity to learn from each other. Students are regularly selected as student teachers, and they love the opportunity to share their knowledge.

The top photo shows a student sharing her special book from home. We have learned that there are three ways to read a book: read the pictures, read the words, or retell the story. Our student leader was utilizing two strategies: read the pictures and retell the story.

The bottom photo shows a student taking on the role of Fundations leader. She is holding up a card and asking students the letter name, keyword, and sound - H, hat, /h/.

I think we have some future teachers in our class!

Class pictures are Tuesday morning. I look forward to seeing everyone in their picture day finery!

 

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"Mrs. Harte, take our picture!"

 

This week we have been working hard in math learning about 10 frames and in recognizing numbers as patterns. When I drew a pattern of five dots, one student was excited to share that he recognized that pattern as the number five on a dice. Playing board games with your child can be such a powerful learning experience because they learn how to count quickly, what a double looks like (Monopoly, anyone?) and that numbers can form patterns.

"Mrs. Harte, take our picture!" is something I hear quite frequently at the end of choice time. The students are quite proud of their creations and worked hard to play together, to share, to compromise, and to try something new. As adults, I think we could use a little more learning through play! Have a great weekend!

 

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Sharing

 

Sharing is an important part of our day! Sharing gives children an opportunity to speak, to listen, to answer questions and to learn a little about each other.

 

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Scenes from our first week

We've had a terrific beginning to our school year getting to know each other, reviewing skills learned in kindergarten, and getting aquainted with new routines. Our new math program is under way, and this week we spent time talking about sorting by attribute and the concepts of more than and fewer than.

Barring very hot weather, we should be going to the computer lab on Monday. If you have not sent in headphones, please do so on Monday. Headphones are kept here at school in labeled ziplock bags for the remainder of the school year. They will be returned at the end of the school year.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

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Curriculum Night - 7 p.m.

Save the date!  Transitional/1st grade curriculum night will be held next Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m.  This will be an opportunity to explore our classroom, to talk about the things your child will be learning this school year, and to ask questions.  There was some confusion here as to the starting time, but it has been confirmed that it will be at 7 p.m.  See you then!

First Week in the Books!

It seems like just last week I was sitting on the beach imagining what my new students would be like (oh wait, it was), and now the first week of school has come and gone.  I honestly have to say that this was probably the best first week of school that I have ever been a part of.  Parents, you should be very proud of your children!  They came in happy, excited, prepared and ready to meet their new friends.  I think we are going to have a terrific year!

As soon as I receive all of the blog permission forms back, I can begin to post pictures of our activities.  I have received most of them, but I am just waiting for a few more.  If you need another copy of the form, please email me or put a note in your child's folder.  I know you are overwhelmed with back-to-school forms!  This is my first year without a child in public school, and it felt pretty good not to have to sign my name over and over again Wednesday night......

Things ran very smoothly this week.  Just a couple of notes:

• Please write your child's name on the outside of their lunchbox (Sharpie works well).  Sometimes they get separated in the lunchroom, and if they accidentally end up with the kindergarten lunch boxes, we need to be able to identify them.
• It's hot outisde, which means our classroom is very warm inside (no air conditioning).  Please provide a labeled water bottle for your child.  We are very active and get very thirsty (waiting in line for the bubbler/fountain isn't that fun and takes time).
• Sneakers are your best bet for footwear.  The playground is covered with big chunk bark mulch which gets inside shoes.  Ouch.  Our beautiful new playground equipment has a lot of climbing activities which are difficult to do in flip flops.  I know there are lots of beautiful, fashionable shoes that we all love to wear, but save them for the weekend so you can be happy and comfortable during the school day.

Finally, save the date!  Transitional/1st grade curriculum night will be Tuesday, September 15 at 6 p.m.  See you then!

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a great summer! I would like to share a couple of photos from my summer. The top is a recent trip to Wingaersheek Beach, followed by a family picture in San Juan, Puerto Rico on a stop during our cruise. We also made it to Hermit Island Campground, Maine at the beginning of the summer for a slightly less fancy vacation. I'm rested and recharged and ready for a terrific year.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1 is the first day for teachers. We will be meeting as an entire school system with Mr. Clency in the morning and will return in the afternoon to work in our classrooms. If you would like to stop by tomorrow between 2 and 3 p.m. to drop off supplies, see the classroom, etc., please feel free to come by. Otherwise, I can't wait to see everyone Wednesday morning! Enjoy the last day of summer!

 

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