Weekly Newsletter for 8/22/14

Dear Room 4 Families,

I was very excited to meet your child this week. For the first 15 days of school, we review concepts from 1st grade to get ready to meet 2nd grade criteria. This is also the time that we establish routines and learn about rules. As we begin our transition into Common Core Standards, you may notice that the teaching style and assignments may be different from what you are used to. One of the major shifts is focusing on learning a concept in depth. This means that your child may think that 2+3 is very easy for them to solve, but we will be spending more time on understanding the concept of adding/separating and missing parts. This includes having group and partner discussions, explaining your thinking, and using alternate ways to solve problems. Your child will be encouraged to try new ways of thinking and we will celebrate mistakes as learning opportunities. 

If your child does not have the following personal school supplies, they will be needing them for the upcoming weeks: 

• A pair of scissors
• A pencil box that will hold their art supplies
• Colored pencils
• Skinny markers
• A Magic Rub or Pink Pearl eraser
• Glue sticks (10 or more for the year) 

These supplies are optional and will be provided to your child out of our classroom funds if they do not have them. 

Our current prep schedule (which may change) is as follows:

Monday: 12:55-1:45 – PE 

Tuesday: 12:55-1:45 – Library

Thursday: 12:55-1:45 – Music

Friday: 12:55-1:45 – PE

As the lab teacher for the primary grades, our class has the privilege of having PE two times a week. Please make sure that your child comes to school wearing proper shoes and clothing. 

I will be sending out e-mails this weekend with a link to this newsletter and a separate e-mail from ClassDojo to sign up and view your child’s daily behavior report. If you are not receiving these e-mails, please let me know as I will not be giving out hard copies of my correspondence this year.

Thank you for placing your trust in your child’s learning in my hands. I look forward to having a great year!

-Ms. You