Mrs. Osburn's Class Newsletter

August 30, 2007

Dear Parents,

I hope you have had a great week!  We have had a nice week at school.

Today is a big day!  Your child's folder is full of information!  I sent home the first reading calendar.  The specials calendar for September is included as well.  The wonderful room reps. have sent a whole packet of information and a form for you to fill out.  They also completed the calendar for the fall volunteers. Please take a few minutes to organize all of this tonight.  I suggest that the reading calendar be placed in a spot next to the area where your child will read each night.  I don't need to see it again until the end of September. 

Your child should read for at least fifteen minutes each night.  You are welcome to share the reading for those new readers!  Our goal is five nights out of seven each week. 

I also send sight word flash cards home with many of the children.  These are for home practice.  When your child masters a complete set of cards, please let me know and we'll retest and then I'll send the next set.  You will be amazed how much knowing basic words will make a difference in your child's reading.

If your child didn't receive the cards, then he/she is ready for other activities.  This week, your child has a book report to complete.  He/she can show you the directions.

I want to tell you a little bit about the papers that are coming home.  I try to send work home as quickly as possible.  I don't have a certain day to send it home.  Sometimes you will receive work each day.  Sometimes, there might be a day or two when nothing comes home.

I often want to make sure the children know what they miss.  At times, we check work together.  If this happens, your child should put a check mark next to each correct answer.  We circle wrong answers.  At the top of the paper, we write a check mark and write "in C" meaning checked in class.  You will see how your child checked his/her own work.  If I check something and return it, your child often won't see a mistake.  When we check together I am walking around looking at your child's work.  I feel like your child often learns a great deal when he looks at his own answers.  Please know that I am VERY AWARE of how your child is doing.  I'm watching carefully and I always look at your child's progress on this work. 

If I stamp your child's work with a stamp that says "Completed together in class" or "Completed together" then we did this assignment as a group or in small groups.  We are working together instead of individually.  If you see mistakes, you'll know that your child either wasn't with us or paying attention as he/she should!  I am always watching the work when we do this!

If the work is stamped, has a star, a sticker, or my comments or corrections, then I checked the work on my own. 

I feel that children learn a great deal from "checking" work together.  Please don't worry that I am not checking the work.  I am watching every step of the way!

We are off to a great start.  Please remember that I am still in the process of learning about your child.  You will see that we are beginning to move forward with more regular work. 

I am always adding/changing assignments as needed for each child.  For example, today we completed a writing assignment.  We spent a great deal of time learning about complete sentences.  We talked about "the naming part" and the "telling part" of a sentence.  The children then wrote sentences and we underlined the "naming part" of each sentence.  I wrote a number at the top of each child's page.  The numbers varied from 2-5.  I gave each child an assignment appropriate for him/her.  During "Writing Workshop" each day, every child is working at his/her own level.  I teach skills based on each child's ability.  Later on, I'll meet with each child once per week to share writing and create an individual "goal" for the week!

Your child has the opportunity to work at his/her own level on a regular basis.  When we have quiet reading time, each child picks a book to read on his/her own.  I have books appropriate for all reading levels! 

Within our new math program, we are working very hard on a variety of skills.  I will be giving extra more challenging work to those who are ready.  I will also pull students to work in small groups.  Some children will be working sometimes on the regular assignment, sometimes will need extra help, and sometimes that same child will be ready for a challenge.  There are so many different math skills and some are just easier than others. 

Mrs. Flood and I are working very hard to make sure each and every child will get the appropriate instruction for his/her individual level!  We work hard to make each assignment appropriate for the children who need extra assistance, children who are working right on grade level, and those who need an extra challenge!  We want to make this a great year for each and every student. 

Thanks for all of your support.  I appreciate all of your donations.  I look forward to working with you during centers, etc.

Have a GREAT Labor Day Weekend!

August 23, 2007

Dear Parents,

I am so pleased with our progress so far.  The children are learning our classroom rules and routines. 

Today your child has a "Communication Folder" inside of the regular folder.  Please look at this and sign inside.  Send it back in the morning.  You should have received an e-mail from me about your child's progress.  This folder is only marked "Great Start" this week because I want to give the children another week to settle in before I mark the folders.  First grade is a big jump after kindergarten. 

    We are working on many skills.  It takes time to develop independent workers.  We are still learning and I just want to help the children to work toward our goal.  Next week, we'll begin to use the "-" sign for areas that continue to need improvement. 

CLASSROOM RULES IN FIRST GRADE!

1.  Respect others.  This includes respecting other people and also respecting property.

2.  Keep hands and feet to yourself.

3.  Raise your hand when you have something to say.

4.  Listen with your eyes, watch with your eyes, and lips are closed.

5.  Work silently when the quiet music is on.

6.  Walk silently in the hallways.

7.  Follow directions and complete your work.

Next week I will send home the homework reading calendar.  Please remember, your child will be required to read for fifteen minutes per night.  It is okay if you take turns doing the reading if your child is just beginning to read.

On the first day of school, you received a "Cobb County" folder.  It had several forms inside.  I am missing these forms from a few of you.  If you received the forms in your child's folder today, please send these back to school tomorrow.

Thanks SO much for the wish list items!  I can't tell you how much it is appreciated.  Have a great weekend!

August 16, 2007

Hello!

It has been a great first week.  I hope your child has enjoyed the first week of first grade.  We have had a terrific week.

Thanks to those who attended on Tuesday evening.  Here are a few notes from that night.  They might be helpful to everyone.

Take-Home Folders - These folders will come home each evening.  Sometimes there will be a paper or note in the folders.  Sometimes they will be empty.  Please send any notes, lunch money or homework back to school in this folder.  The children are supposed to put anything from the folders into a plastic tub when they arrive in the morning.  Then, they put the folder in their own mailbox.

Communication Folders - The behavior sheet will come home each Thursday.  You should sign this and return it on Friday morning.  We will begin next week. 

Behavior Chart - I have a behavior chart in my classroom.  Your child begins the day with a "green" crayon.  Tickets are handed out for good behavior.  These can be used to purchase items from our treasure box. 

If a child is not following the classroom rules, he/she will have a verbal warning.  If the behavior continues, he/she will lose the green crayon.  A yellow crayon means that the child has a warning.  If the inappropriate behavior continues, a red crayon will be next.  A red crayon will result in a mark in the behavior folder.  A blue crayon will result in a note home. 

I stress positive reinforcement.  However, with 18 children, I must have a good behavior management plan!  I just wanted to tell you how it works.

READING - Our reading program will be made up of two parts.  I will use a reading anthology for whole group reading.  The stories will be easy for some and difficult for others.  However, we will be working on skills for every level.

During centers, I will work with small guided reading groups.  At this time, your child will have the opportunity to read with others who are on the same basic reading level.  In my opinion, this is the most important part of the day!

CENTERS - Centers will begin late in September.  The children will work independently while Mrs. Flood and I hold guided reading groups and skill groups.  The center parent will check center work, stamp center charts and assist as needed.  The center parent gives me the opportunity to work with the small reading groups without being disrupted. 

OPTIONAL REPORT - Each month I assign an optional report.  This is for those kids who need an extra challenge.  I am very open to any type of report, poster, project, etc.  We'll talk about this in class.

OUR CLASSROOM IS A PEANUT FREE ZONE.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY PEANUT PRODUCTS!

BIRTHDAY TREATS - Please send simple, individual treats.  Cookies or cupcakes or a precut cookie cake are great.  Healthy snacks are good, too!  Napkins are great.  No drinks, please! 

SNACK - Please send a healthy snack each morning.  Water only, please!  Water bottles are great on these hot days.

I look forward to a great year!  :)