St. Paul School - First Grade - Czapla at 1755 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso, IN 46385 US - All about Debbi Czapla's 1st grade class.
All about Debbi Czapla's 1st grade class.
Welcome to First Grade! This letter is to inform you of the procedures I use and also to tell you about my classroom.
One procedure is the way notes, graded papers and homework will go to and from school. Your child should have a binder with one red and one yellow folder. This binder will be taken home daily and returned to school each morning. The RED folder means to STOP. This folder will be used to carry notes, graded papers and homework required to be completed that evening. One side of this folder will be labeled HOME and the other SCHOOL. On the HOME side your child will place all graded papers and notes for home. Anything on this side stays at home. On the SCHOOL side your child will place the homework sheet. Upon completing the homework your child should return the sheet to the RED folder, SCHOOL side. Also, all correspondence are sent in a sealed envelope, clearly marked where/or to whom it needs to go. Please, when sending things in, remind your child that they have something that needs to be turned in because it is their responsibility to take everything out of their RED folder and put it in the correct basket.
The YELLOW folder means STAY. This folder will contain any worksheet or handouts your child needs for class. PARENTS PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE PAPERS IN THIS FOLDER!!!! This is very important. We have study guides and little booklets that go with topics we are working on and these papers are needed for class. I will tell the children when to "clean" this folder out.
Our second procedure has to do with daily communication/homework. The school provides each student with a Student Planner. This is where your child will write their assignments and weekly spelling words. My aide or I will check to see that the assignment has been written down and homework is in the proper place. PARENTS, your job is to initial each day so I know you have checked the planner and are aware of the assigned work. Also, there is a place for comments. If you need to notify me of a change in the way your child is going home, or they did not understand the assignment, or they forgot a book...you may write a brief not in the planner.
Regarding homework, I believe strongly in making it the child's responsibility. Please help your child become responsible for doing the homework, showing you their planner, putting the homework in the proper folder and turning it in the next day. My assignments should give your child an opportunity to demonstrate the skills that they have learned in class. I ask that you check over the assignment and make sure it is done NEATLY and the directions were followed correctly. I will have them correct the mistakes in class. Not all homework is written. Every week your child will bring their reader home and their "little" book to read. That will be their homework for that evening. Homework also includes reviewing Spelling Words and math facts. First Graders should spend 15 - 30 minutes nightly on homework, but it depends on how your child works. Normally, the assigned paper should take about 10 minutes to complete. The rest of the time should be spent reviewing Spelling Words, (both new and old), and the math facts. The daily review will make a big difference in the skills of an emergent reader and new learner. It also begins developing life long study skills. Remember some children are not able to sit down and focus on one thing for 30 minutes. You may need to break up homework time. As a result, it may seem like your child is spending more than 30 minutes. This is especially true when they have a story to read. Remember, as I do, no two children are alike. DO NOT compare your child with another in the class. Everyone learns in a different way and a different pace. The best thing you, as a parent can do for your child is to establish a routine for homework and studying. Have a specific place for your child to put the binder, set up a "homework station" complete with crayons, pencils, glue and scissors and establish a "starting and ending" time for homework. After homework is completed, return the binder to the backpack. I often suggest to the children, if their snack does not need to be kept cold, they should put it in their backpack the night before. That way snack is not forgotten in the rush of the morning. Also, it is helpful to jot down, in their planner, if they are hot or cold lunch. You would be surprised how many children come to school and think their snack is their lunch. Lasly, when going over homework or graded papers, a positive review of the work is a must. If your child makes a mistake, do not treat it as a failure but an opportunity to grow.
Our report card is computer generated. Your child receives a letter grade in all subjects. My grades are based on test scores and the work completed in school. A "number" grade is given for conduct and effort.
Your child is responsible for their actions. Children in first grade are just starting school and much of their attitude towards school will be formed in my classroom. As a result, I try to take a positive approach to classroom discipline. I stress to the children that they have a choice in how they behave. When they make a "good" choice they are rewarded by feeling good because they made the choice-not someone else. When a child makes an inappropriate choice, I will talk to them and ask them how they can "fix" what they did wrong and how they can improve their behavior. Remember, we learn from our mistakes. Of course, there may be times when this little conference does not work and the inappropriate behavior continues. When this happens, I will either send a note home or email you. I try to take care of all behavior issues at school myself.
First Graders love their snacks! We have "snack time" around 9:30 in the morning. Please make sure these are healthy snacks. Cookies, cupcakes, ice cream... are "treats" and may be sent in to celebrate your child's birthday but "snack time" is a time to fuel bodies in a healthy way to enable the children to continue to work and think. If your child would like to celebrate their birthday, they may bring in a "treat" to share with the class. Don't forget to celebrate summer birthdays-maybe by celebrating their "half" birthday. Just send in a note.
Communication is very important. Each month I will send home a newsletter, calendar and a book report form. The newsletter is to inform you as to what will be covered in class and any upcoming events. The calendar has daily activities to do. The calendar activities are NOT mandatory. If you and your child do the activities, there is a form on the back of each calendar to complete and sign. Then have your child return it to school at the end of the month. Those who return the completed calendar may pick out of the "goodie" basket. The book report IS a required assignment. The report will focus on a different reading skill. Specific instructions are sent home and a date given as to when the report is due. Parents and family members may help with these reports. Be as creative as you like!
Again, I welcome you and your child to my class! I look forward to meeting you and working together to make this a wonderful year! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact me either by email or calling the school.