What a great first week of school! The kiddos jumped right into being Kittredge Kangaroos! I can already tell that this is going to be a fantastic year!
Each week, I try to write a quick blog post to let you know what we worked on in class that week. Here's a look at what we did in the first 4 days of school.
- Tuesday was all about getting to know each other. We played a few name games and read some stories about how we can all feel a little anxious or excited about the start of a new school year. After reading The Kissing Hand, a story about a raccoon who is nervous about his first day, the kids all told me how they felt before coming to school. I hope that you liked the little card that they came home with that day. Even though many of the kids admitted to being nervous, there were a ton of smiles by the end of they day.
- Another big focus for the first week is learning the classroom routines. Where is the bathroom? What do I do with a note that my parents send in? How can I get a sharpened pencil? How do I pack up and go home at the end of the day? These are all the little details that make our days go smoothly. The first graders are doing a wonderful job of learning and following all of our classroom routines!
- Books, books, books! I've already told the kids that I LOVE reading and love all kinds of books. As of Friday morning, I have read 12 books aloud in class. The topics are varied, but most of what I choose for the first week has to do with starting school, being kind, and that it's okay to make mistakes. Maybe your first grader can tell you about a book that we read together!
- We practiced the procedure for fire drills and had our first official fire drill with the North Andover Fire Department on Thursday. I'm happy to report that it went very smoothly! Thanks, NAFD!
- Throughout the week, the kids have been bringing in their "Me Bags". I love this activity, because it gives the kids a chance to share some important details about themselves with the rest of the class. We've seen lots of sports items, Lego people, stuffed animals, and pictures of families. :)
- We played a game called "I Have, Who Has" with 2 digit numbers. Tons of fun! Ask your first grader how it works. The kids also created paper number lines to help them refresh their memories!
- Today, we are going to attempt to log in to the Chromebooks for the first time. Wish us luck! This is always a challenge for the kiddos at the beginning of the year, but they will become experts in no time.
- On Wednesday, Ms. Dulin and Ms. Rogers visited the classroom and talked to the kids about the role of the School Counselor.
- On Thursday, the kids learned about the new composting program at Kittredge. They will be sorting their trash at the end of lunch each day. It's a great way to teach the kids about reducing waste.
- I love to use the Smartboard in the classroom to get the kids up and moving! We watched a few quick video songs about numbers and letters. Take a peek here: Counting to 100 Song and Letter/Sound Song
I also used the Go Noodle web site for some fun movement breaks.
Next week, the kids will begin Snack Time Share (think Show & Tell). Each day, the kids from a table can share an item from home, a story, or a joke, if they like. (Please keep expensive items and electronics at home.) Here's the schedule. Your child will know their table letter.
Table E: Tuesdays
Table I: Wednesdays
Table O: Thursdays
Table U: Fridays
- Wednesday, 9/11: 1:45 early dismissal (Teacher Professional Development)
- Wednesday, 9/18: First library class
- Thursday, 10/3: Open House - 6:30-7:30pm
- Wednesday, 10/9: Picture day (more info will be sent out later) and 1:45 early release
FYI: I'm hoping to get the sign up list for Mystery Reader slots out to you soon!
Thank You!
- I really appreciate all of the supplies that you sent in. They should keep us well stocked for the year. I shop for supplies for my own kids and I know that it can be an expensive trip to Staples. I just wanted you to know that we will put everything to good use this year. Thank you so much.
- I also really appreciate your communication about dismissal information. I work hard all week to make sure that everyone gets to where they need to be. Now that the year is underway and I know the kids a little better, it should go smoothly. As a reminder, if there are any changes to your child's dismissal, a note in their folder is the best way to communicate that to me. If it's a last minute change, please call Mrs. McCarthy in the front office.
- Which brings me to my next point...thanks for the prompt return of all the back to school paperwork!
- One more thank you: Thanks for checking the kids' take home folders each night and returning empty folders each day!
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful and restful weekend!
Katie Barnett
