Mrs. Courtney Goodwin
Grade 1
Welcome to first grade. I am extremely excited about this school year and cannot wait to get to know you and your child. We are going to have a very fun, exciting, and productive year. Now let’s get down to business!
SUPPLIES - If you have not already done so, please send a pencil holder with pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, and glue sticks. It’s a great idea to have these items at home as well for children do their homework. Children will also need 3 notebooks - one for Spelling, one for sight words, and one for Science. Marble notebooks work best because the pages do not rip out easily. A smaller notebook is a great idea for children to write down their homework assignments. Please make sure to cover all of your children’s books. If a book is lost or stolen a fee will be charged to replace it.
FOLDERS - The children will be bringing home a blue folder EVERY night. Please be sure to check this folder EVERY night. Some nights there will not be anything inside and some nights there will be more than you can imagine inside. The left side of the folder will be filled with papers that can be “left” at home. The right side is for papers or envelopes that need to come “right” back. This folder should be brought back to school every day. Any money should be sent in an envelope indicating the amount, the purpose and your child’s name on the front. Papers will be sent home EVERY FRIDAY. Your child’s papers can stay at home for review over the weekend. There will be a cover sheet indicating the topic, page, or activity and your child’s grades. This cover sheet will have to be signed and returned EVERY MONDAY. This is done in order to give you direct feedback on your child’s progress. The signed cover sheets will be placed into your child’s portfolio.
WEEKLY UPDATE - I believe that parent involvement is an integral aspect of any classroom. Teaching does not only occur in the classroom … you are your child’s best teacher. Every Monday the children will have a “Weekly Update” in their blue folder. This update allows you to know what is going on in the classroom and any upcoming dates, birthdays, or field trips. If you have information you would like put on the newsletter please let me know a week in advance. This newsletter gives you the opportunity to discuss what we have done and what we will do throughout the week. Hopefully you can avoid hearing those dreaded words “we didn’t do anything at school today”.
HOMEWORK – The children will have homework Monday – Thursday. The children will have some form of Math, Spelling, and Phonics homework every night. Science and Social Studies homework will also be included but not as often. A reading log will be sent home every Monday. The children are expected to read for at least 15 minutes with a parent every night. The children are asked to record the title, author, and number of pages read. Parents are asked to initial the child’s log every night as well. These logs are to be returned every Friday.
SPELLING HOMEWORK – Spelling homework is the same every week for the entire year.
Monday – write each word 5 times each
Tuesday- choose 5 words and write a sentence for each
Wednesday- write 5 sentences for the last 5 words
Thursday- ABC order and study the words
Friday- Spelling Test
RULES – The children and I have decided on some classroom rules.
1. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
2. Raise your hand to speak and wait until you are called on.
3. Follow directions.
4. Clean up after yourself.
5. Always do your best!
DISCIPLINE – We have a “stop light” in our classroom and each child has a clip with his/her name on it. The children start on green every day. If your child stays on green all day, which means I did not have to speak with him or her, he/she will receive a little prize at the end of the day. The prizes are usually lollipops or Smarties (because they’re all little smarties). If you do not want your child to have either of these prizes please let me know. I am open to any other suggestions on prizes.
Your child will receive a warning if he/she is not complying with classroom rules. If the negative behavior persists, he/she will move his/her clip to yellow. If a clip is moved to yellow the consequence is missing 5 minutes of recess to sit with me and discuss his/her actions and he/she will receive a sticker at the end of the day.
If the negative behavior continues, the child will move his/her clip to red. If a clip is moved to red the consequence is missing recess to sit with me and discuss his/her actions, no prize at the end of the day, and will result in a call home. The child may also be sent to Mr. Dilba, the 8th grade teacher, who is the head of discipline.
Every day your child will bring home a slip indicating what color he/she was on for the day. Please discuss your child’s actions and feel free to call me with any questions.
SNACK – Please pack a healthy snack every day, fruit is the best choice. Children who bring in chips or cookies will not be allowed to eat it during snack; they will be allowed to eat it at lunch. We also drink lots of water throughout the day so please be sure to pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
DENNIS JULIA REDSPIKE – Our class Build-A-Bear dog, Dennis Julia Redspike, will be going home with one lucky child every weekend. Dennis has a backpack that he travels in and a journal to record all of the fun things you have done with him. Your child will be asked to write about all of their adventures with Dennis. Please be sure to take good care of Dennis and return him, the backpack, and the journal to school the MONDAY after you have him. Your child will have the chance to read their Dennis story upon arrival at school. If Dennis and all of his belongings are not returned on Monday your child may not be able to take him home again. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
BIRTHDAYS – Please let me know a day ahead of time if you are bringing in a treat for your child’s birthday so I can plan it into our day. Also, if you are sending birthday invitations, please make sure there is one for each student in the class. If your child only wants to invite certain children please be sure to give the invitation outside of school to avoid hurt feelings.