March 27, 2020

Hi 1A families,

Thank you so much to everyone who has joined the class calls and made time to do 1-on-1 sessions with me on Zoom. It brightens my day to see all of the kids! Clearly, schools are doing our best to adjust to this new type of teaching, but it's still an adjustment. I want to be sure that I am providing opportunities for learning, but not overwhelming you. I know that in my house, some days are productive for the kids, others...not so much. It's tough, but just know that I'm available for whatever you need. Please reach out.

Please sign up for a 1-on-1 Zoom meeting with me for next week! They are a great way to connect with the kids. 17 students took advantage of it last week! I LOVED the chance to talk to the kids individually. 1-on-1 Meeting with Mrs. Barnett

I'm not going to do a big recap of what we did this week because I think that most of you heard it in your houses. We are SO LOUD! 😂 I am, however, going to give you the rough plan for next week. Every day we will warm up with skills review, and end with a story and comprehension questions.

Poem: Jelly Beans

Monday (3/30): ELA lesson topic - Compound Words
Compound Word Video (We will watch these videos together; no need to watch ahead of time.)
Complete this worksheet after our Zoom call: Compound Word Worksheet
Mr. Lambert's birthday! Yay!

Tuesday (3/31): Math lesson topic - Coin Review (Please have some coins handy!)
Brainpop Jr. Counting Coins Video (Username: NAPS2020 Pswd: Naps1234)
Coin Song Video
Complete this worksheet after our Zoom call: Coin Review Worksheet

Wednesday (4/1): Writing lesson topic - Sentences
Bare Bones Sentences Worksheet
*Also Finn's birthday! Yay!

Thursday (4/2): Math lesson topic - Missing Addend
Missing Addend Video
Missing Addend Worksheet

Friday (4/3): Art lesson topic - How to draw a butterfly
Butterfly Video
Sing for Ady! Her birthday is April 5 (Sunday!)

One last request. Anyone want to be a Mystery Reader? You can join us for the end of our call on Wednesdays to read a book of your choosing! Sign up here if you are interested! :)
Mystery Reader Sign Up

The kids can also work on these sites daily (use Clever.com to log in)
Raz-kids.com
ST Math
Zearn.org

Zoom 1-on1 Meeting link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/500368945
10:00am Zoom Class Meeting link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/166259098

Please, please just let me know if any of this is confusing (or overwhelming) - I am very flexible and want to do what works best for everyone.
Thanks for everything you are doing at home; I don't think I can truly express to all of you how much your support means. Seriously tearing up just thinking about it. The kids are so lucky to have such amazing families!

Be well!
Katie Barnett

March 22, 2020

Hi 1A families,

While I wish we were back at school, I'm so happy to see the kids on Zoom. I hope that they look forward to it as much as I do each morning. :) It really brightens my day!

• The kids should have paper and something to write with while we work.
• Here's a link to the poem that we will work on this week: Spring Poem

Reminder: The first type of work that the kids should complete is the Beyond The Classroom assignments. Thank you if you have already sent this work to me! Every student in the district is required to do these assignments. When we created the activities at the beginning of the year, we tried to make them as manageable as possible. Do 2 choices in each for ELA, 2 for Math, 1 for PE, and 1 for Art. If you have any questions about them, please let me know. Happy to help! Here's the link to the assignments: Beyond the Classroom

At this point, no other work is required. 

I truly hope that you are all doing okay. We're having our ups and downs at my house, and I'm guessing that it's the same way for everyone. Some moments, I feel motivated to keep the whole house on track, and at other times, not so much. I know I keep saying this, but do what feels right for you and your kids. No one really knows what is the right thing to do.

I'd like to make myself available for 10 minute 1-on-1 meetings with the kids this week. Again, this is totally optional. :) I've set up a schedule on the Sign Up Genius site. If your kiddo would like to read to me, do a little math, or just chit chat about what they are working on for 10 minutes, please sign up for a slot. I'll be on Zoom and they can just join the meeting when it's their turn. Please only take 1 slot this week, so there are enough slots for everyone.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks so much!

Katie Barnett

March 18, 2020: Resources and checking in

Hi 1A families,

It looks like the Zoom call works! I'd like to set up a call on weekdays at 10:00am. I will send out and email with login details. It will give me a chance to check in with the kids and read them a story. On days when your first grader can log in, great! If they can't make it on a particular day, that's ok, too.

I really hope all of you are doing well. I think about you and the kids all the time. If you are anything like my family, we are having our ups and downs and trying to make the best of it. Our administration is doing a wonderful job trying to coordinate resources for you to use at home while we are not in school.

• First, please have your child do the Beyond the Classroom assignments because these are the only thing that is required at this point. It's my understanding, that we must have at least 80% participation in this program according to state regulations. Once your kiddo is finished, please send me either a picture or an email so I can document that it was completed. It doesn't all have to be done right now, so take time if you need it, but please don't forget. Thank you to everyone who has already sent me pictures of the work.
• Second, the Assistant Superintendent, Lorene Marx, sent out a big list of resources for the district. None of it is required, but it's VERY helpful if you are looking for things to do with your kids. Please take a peek.
  https://sites.google.com/northandoverpublicschools.com/beyondtheclassroom/learning-activities-for-school-closure/pre-k-grade-2?authuser=0
  FYI: They listed Brainpop.com, but the username and password also works for Brainpopjr.com - which is more targeted to the little ones in first grade. We use this in class, the kids are familiar with it, and most really like it.

I'm trying to keep a schedule for my own kids on weekdays at my house. It includes reading time, written work, a chore, math, and exercise. We're also doing hikes as field trips from time to time. I try to give the kids choices at each step of the way so that they feel like they have a little control over their day. But let's be realistic, some days will be more successful than others. This is just a suggestion; do what works for you.

Thank you to all of the families that have reached out to me this week. If you haven't already, please send me an email to let me know how you and your family are doing. If you need anything, I will do whatever I can to help. If the kids want to chat with me, I can be available. Send me an email and we can set up a  time for a call. 

Hope this is helpful!
Thanks for all that you do!
Katie Barnett

March 17, 2020

Hi 1A families!

Clearly I am not the next YouTube sensation 😂, but I recorded a St. Patrick's day book for the kids to watch. Fingers crossed that this works correctly!

March 13, 2020

March 13, 2020

Dear 1st Grade Families,

Today your child will be bringing home a folder with some activities and
books to work on.  It is meant to be a resource; please use what
you feel is appropriate.
You’ll know what is right for you and your kids.

Your child can also access RAZ-Kids online and Zearn math
with the login information
we sent home earlier this week.  If you child uses the Lexia reading program,
they can also
access this from home.   

We were lucky to have extra leveled paper books from previous years
and we allowed the kids to choose some to bring home.  These are yours
to keep. We are also sending home a book list with
appropriate grade level book recommendations.
Teacher tip: If you look on YouTube, you can often find videos of people reading
picture books aloud.
Also, check out storylineonline.net for great read alouds by famous actors! 

It would be beneficial to do a little bit of this work each day to
help the students maintain
the skills they have been taught and to try to keep them in a routine.
We are not requiring the
children to bring this work back to school.  

We will both be available if you have questions, comments or just want to say hi. 
We will miss your kiddos terribly over the next couple of weeks
and look forward to seeing their
smiling faces when we return. 

Stay well!

Katie Barnett barnettk@northandoverpublicschools.com 

Grace Murphy murphyg@northandoverpublicschools.com 

March 8, 2020

Hi 1A families,

It's been a fun-filled couple of weeks in first grade. We celebrated Read Across America Day last Friday and the costumes were adorable! I loved seeing the kids bring their favorite book characters to life! And the crazy hair today was hysterical. Here's a look at a few of the things that the kids learned this and last week.

• We have been focusing on vowel digraphs in words: ou, ow, ue, ew, au, and aw. Examples of words with these letter combinations are brow, blue, haul, and saw. After being introduced to them during a lesson and practicing reading and writing words, the kids use the letter/sound cards to review them each day. These can be tricky, so we circle back to them every day.
• We have also been talking a lot about syllable division. Knowing where syllables begin and end helps the kids decode unfamiliar words and it also helps with spelling. Here's a cute video that we watched to reinforce the concept: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7DY2lgJlU
• The trick words over the past 2 weeks have been: any, many, how, now, down, out, about, our
• During Reading Workshop, the kids have been working hard with their partners to create a plan when they are having difficulty with a word. 
• The kids also finished up the nonfiction stories that they have been writing for the past few weeks. They created tables of contents, glossaries, and packed their books full of facts. Last week, they used a checklist to evaluate their writing on their own. I love reading the stories!
• I also introduced commas as a form of punctuation. The first graders practiced creating lists in sentences using commas. For example: I like ice cream, cake, and cookies.
• In math, the focus has been on place value. The kids learned how to compare numbers. They also started using the greater than, less than, and equal signs (>, <, =).
• In science, the kids are learning about light. They are considering the source of the light in a room, as well as which materials are transparent and opaque. They did a fun activity last week with flashlights and paper that they colored with markers so that they could send messages to a partner across the room. Ask them to tell you about it!
• In celebration of Read Across America, we read several Dr. Seuss books. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish was a favorite! We created a cute craft to go along with the story that is hanging in the hallway. Take a peek if you are in the school.

Reminder - Nightly Reading
Reading aloud is very, very beneficial for kids at this stage in their development. And so many of them have told me how much they love spending a little time each night reading with a grown up. I know that some nights are busier than others, but I just wanted to remind everyone that your kiddo brings home 2 books from school each week to read at home. Of course, they can read anything from your home library as well! 

Upcoming Dates
3/11 (Wednesday): Early release for teacher professional development at 1:45
3/13 (Friday): Dress in Green Day, library
3/18 (Wednesday): Library
3/20 (Friday): Crazy Sock Day
3/25 (Wednesday): Early release for teacher professional development at 1:45
3/27 (Friday): Library, Crazy Hat Day and Pajama Day

Thank you for the supplies at the beginning of the year!
We have an ample supply of sanitizing wipes in the classroom and we've been using them every day. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks for all you do at home to support your child's learning.
Enjoy the week and the beautiful weather!
Katie Barnett

February 6, 2020

Hi 1A families,

I hope that everyone had a safe drive to school or work this morning! 
Here's a look at what we've been working on in first grade this week.

• The first graders have been reading, reading, reading! I am so impressed with the progress that the kids have made! They are practicing reading fluently and with emotion. Yesterday, we talked about how compliments can help motivate readers. They read with their reading partners and then gave each other a compliment on their reading.
• This week, I also introduced vowel teams this week. Words that contain vowel teams include: rain, day, feet, beak, and key. We'll continue to focus on words with vowel teams for the next week.
• The kids are working on keyboarding skills. I'm hoping to have the kids create a Google Doc in the near future. We will have some fun learning how to type!
• In math, the kids are continuing to learn how to measure and compare objects. Most recently, they measured with nonstandard units such as paper clips.
• The nonfiction books that the first graders are writing are amazing! This week, they worked on tackling expert words and creating glossaries.
• With Presidents' Day around the corner, the kids learned about George Washington and sang a song about him.
• Since February is Black History Month, the kids learned about Rosa Parks this week.
• I also taught the kids about using cardinal directions on a map. They learned about the compass rose and they also used "never eat soggy waffles" to remember north, east, south, and west.

Valentine Reminder
Last week, I sent home a list of names for Valentine cards. (If you need another copy, just let me know!) Whenever your kiddo has finished writing the names on the cards, they can put them in a labeled bag and bring them into school. On Friday, 2/14, the kids will exchange cards and do a craft in class.

Headphones
I have about 8 sets of headphones in the classroom. The keyboarding program that we use has sound - so you can imagine what it's like in the classroom when 23 kids log in at the same time. If you have a set of headphones that you can send into school with your child, we would really appreciate it! Please label them and only your child will use them. Don't feel like you have to go out and buy any new headphones for this purpose. As I said, we have a few pairs in the classroom already.

STEM Challenges
Mrs. Murphy and I would like to do some STEM challenges with the first graders. In order to do that, we need a few supplies.  Any of the following items would be great:

• cups
• sponges
• straws
• cardboard tubes
• clay

Greatest Hits - Videos and Songs
The first graders asked that I send home the links to some of their favorite songs and videos in first grade. I know I've linked to a few already, but I thought I'd send them again.
Place Value Song
Coin Song
Subtract with a Pirate
Count to 100
Syllable Song
Don't Read Like a Robot
Oh You Lucky Ducky (OULD)
Coin Song 2
Vowel Teams
Magic E
Vowel Bat
Bossy R
Super E

Cutest Thing That Happened This Week :)
When we were reading about Rosa Park, the kids learned that her birthday was on Tuesday. They sang a spontaneous round of Happy Birthday to her. Love it!

Reminder
Your child brings home 2 books on Monday with their spelling notebook. Please ask your child to read those books aloud to you each week. It's great practice and they love to show off their reading skills! They should also read a poem from their poetry notebooks to you over the weekend.

Upcoming Dates

• Friday, 2/7: Library and "wear red, black, and white" to school day (if you want!)
• Wednesday, 2/12: Library and early release (1:45)
• Friday, 2/14: Valentine card exchange
• 2/17-2/21: February vacation

Thanks for all that you do at home to support your child's learning!
As always, please get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns.
Katie Barnett