Upcoming Events

September 7- Labor Day (No School)
      September 14-17- Book Fair

      September 17- Open House

      September 18- Inservice Day
      September 22-Picture Day

      September 25- Progress Reports

Week of August 31

We had a great first week in First Grade!  Please contact me with any questions or concerns you have throughout the year

Focus on Learning

Language Arts:  We will be focusing on the short sound of Aa and working with nouns.

Math: Students will continue working on

addition concepts.

Writing: Students will learn the habits of a

good writer.

Social Studies/Science: Coming Soon

SPELLING LIST

1. at        6. man

2. cat      7. fan

3. sat      8. can

4. ran      9. sad

5. an       10. bad

Review Vocabulary

   I             see

go             is

the

First Day of School!!!!

Hello parents, family and friends! Wow, did we have a FANTASTIC first day of school!  I am excited to have your children in my first grade class!

It was very busy, but full of fun.  We got to come in and find our own desks filled with books, folders, pencils, crayons and much more!  We discussed classroom rules, class jobs, and our daily schedule.  Lunch in the cafeteria went well and we got to play on the jungle gym outside for recess. We had an assembly with Mrs. Tomicek to discuss our school's Whale Done theme!

I loved meeting all of your first graders today and am really excited for the school year.  Please let me know what I can do to make your first grader's year a success.

This blog will serve as an information "hot-spot" for you throughout the school year.  I will post each week letting you know what to expect for the following week, so check often so that you don't miss anything!

Tonight, your first grader should have brought home their agenda and blue take-home folder.  The pages in the front and the back of the folder (that you can see with the folder closed) should stay in there throughout the school year.  Please do not take these out.  On the inside of the folder, there are two sides: Return to School and Leave at Home.

You will find things in the "Return to School" side.  Please fill out the papers and return to school ASAP.  On the "Leave at Home" side there are a bunch of informational pages from the main office or from myself.  Please look through these and fill out any if applicable 

Finally- It is your job to check your student's agenda nightly.  PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns or opinions about your child's first grade experience. I would love to hear what you or your child enjoys, struggled with, needs changed, etc.  The easiest, fastest way to contact me is through email.  I check my email often, you can also write me a note or call the school.

Thanks and I look forward to a great school year!

Dr. Kolarcik

Welcome to First Grade, room 107!

Welcome to First Grade.  On this blog, you will find updates about our class.  If you have any questions feel free to email me at kolarcikt@cmsd.k12.pa.us.  I'm  looking forward to working with your child and you this year!

Dr. Kolarcik

First Grade Notes

 

First Grade Notes

I’m very excited for an awesome school year!  I believe that for a successful first grade year there needs to be open communication between home and school.   It’s imperative that we work together to make this a super experience for your child!   

         The information below highlights what occurs in our classroom.  This information, as well as other important papers will be coming home on the first day of school.  Please make sure to check your child's folders for the lunch menu, health forms, and other important papers.

Behavior Management

         Room 107 will have a few behavior systems occurring this year – both individual and whole group. Individually, we will be trying to earn Coins. Each first grader will have a coin cup located inside their desk. Students may earn a penny for outstanding behavior, academic achievements or challenges, compliments from other teachers, and showing respect and responsibility. As our year goes on, the students will be able to earn the larger coins (nickels, dimes, and eventually quarters). On the last Friday of each month, we will hold a student store, K-Mart, where we can exchange the coins that we earn with small prizes.

         Also, we have a “Clip It!” behavior poster in the back of the room. Every student will begin the day on the green “Ready to Learn!” If any student chooses to break a class rule or perform an inappropriate behavior, they will have to move their clip down to a lower area. Alternatively, there are also higher levels for students to reach by showing positive behavior. This system allows students the chance to be rewarded for good behavior, and also allows them to improve their day and choices so that their clip will be moved back up. Your child’s behavior will be marked in their agenda daily.

Purple: Outstanding! – Student receives a nickel for their coin cup.

Blue: Good Day! – Student receives a penny for their coin cup.

Green: Ready to Learn – All students begin here. Staying here all day is great! J

Yellow: Think About It – Student has made a bad choice. This is a warning level and a reminder for the student to change the behavior. Teacher can decide between 5 minutes off of recess, loss of fake money, loss of a special activity or a note home.

Red: Uh oh! – Student has had a rough day making good choices. A C-Note will be sent home.

As a group, we will be attempting to “Fill the fish bowl!” There is a large fish bowl in the front of the room. When we get a compliment from another teacher, show overall outstanding behavior, or any other positive behavior, we will get to place a fish into the bowl. Once we have 10 fish, we will choose a class reward.

Our Class Rules

1.      Be Kind

2.      Be Safe

3.      Be Respectful

4.      Follow Directions

5.      Always Do Your Best!   

        

Volunteers

         Volunteers will be asked to help throughout the year for special events.  You will be contacted by phone, email, or in your child’s agenda.  It’s important that you review your child’s Friday Folder and Newsletters for upcoming events.  Please see the office for information about clearances. If you cannot make an event please give prior notice.

Homework

         Homework should only take about 10 minutes for first grade.  We usually have homework on Monday through Thursday.  The extra practice and support at home is proven to be very beneficial.    

             Students write in their agendas every afternoon and I also check the behavior charts.   An “R” stands for reading, “M” stands for math, “WB” stands for word book, “thb” stands for take home book.  I ask that you check and sign your child’s agenda nightly for verification of homework and daily behavior.    

Catch of the Week

         Each week a Catch of the Week is chosen, in no particular order, to share a little bit about themselves.  A paper will be sent home the week before so he/she can gather ideas.  A poster display is asked, but any ideas are welcomed.  The ‘Fresh Catch’ will share their pictures and/or artifacts with the class and the items will be displayed.  All will be sent home in a timely fashion.