About our Class

I look forward to getting to know each one of you. Keep a check on the blog daily. I will post pictures from our day, learning objectives, announcements, weekly homework assignments, and spelling words.


Here are some tips to help our year run smoothly!
ABSENCES
Much of first grade learning is based on experiences in the classroom and can’t be sent home. If your child is ill, you may arrange to pick up written work as soon as your child feels well enough to work on it, or it will be saved for your child’s return. If your child is out of town for a vacation, please have him/her keep a journal of the trip. Your child will make up his/her class work upon return.

AGENDA
Our agenda will be sent home each night. Any notes, newsletters, or notices will be sent home in the agenda. A behavior chart will also be included in the agenda. Once you review the chart, initial it. You do not have to sign in the actual agenda, just the chart. Also, you will find a binder clip at the top of the agenda page for the current week. Please do not remove the binder clip  If you need to send a doctors excuse or other paper note, please clip it to the page using the binder clip. If you need to send money, please put it in an envelope labeled with your child’s name, the amount enclosed, and what the money is for. Clip the envelope on the agenda page with the binder clip.

BEHAVIOR PLAN
In our class, we use the clip chart color system. All students start out on green. Students have the opportunity to move up to blue or purple by making good choices. Students who do not make good choices must move their clips down to yellow, orange, or red. Yellow is simply a verbal warning. Orange is a second violation and therefore will have a consequence such as sentence writing during playtime. Red is a third offense and will result in a phone call home or visit to the office.

CHAPEL
Chapel is every Wednesday from 8:15- 9:00. Students must wear their FCA polo shirt to school (and keep it on all day!)

COMMUNICATION
Your input is very important to me! Please let me know how your child feels about school. I believe that your child receives the best education possible, when you and I work as a team. Anytime you have something that you would like to discuss with me, please write me a note in your child’s agenda, drop by the classroom AFTER school, or send me an email. I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

FIELD TRIPS
Another way to volunteer your time is to chaperone for field trips. We need parents to drive on field trips and take students. When possible, I will take as many parents that are willing to attend.

GOOD BEHAVIOR REWARDS
In addition to our clip chart system, our class will have the opportunity to earn classroom rewards for good behavior. Verbal praise is given to students whenever possible. Some of our tangible rewards include prize box rewards, lunch with the teacher, extra recess time, stickers, and other small trinkets.

GUM BALL MATH
Gumball math is an incentive program designed to encourage student’s mastery of basic facts of addition and subtraction up to 9. Mastery is met when students can correctly answer one fact in 3 seconds or less. Please practice with flashcards with your child each night. We will test over one fact at a time. When a student masters a set of facts, they will earn a gumball to put in their gum machine, as well as a real gumball to eat at school.

GYM DAYS
Please refer to the class schedule for gym days. Students must wear tennis shoes. If students come to school in another type of shoe, they will not be able to participate in PE.

HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned every week, and it will be due the follow week. I consider it to be an essential part of our program of study, and should take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete each night. It is highly recommended to schedule a daily homework routine each day.It reinforces classroom learning, opens communication between you and your child about school,
and teaches responsibility. Students are expected to complete homework in a timely manner. In addition to the assigned homework, your child is expected to read each night. If you have a homework complication, please write me a note in your child’s Communication Folder or email me to explain the situation. I understand that occasional family issues do arise. I will send home a Grade One Homework Policy this week for you and your child to review, sign and return to school.

LUNCH
Lunch is from 11:30- 12:00. Hot lunch is available for $3.50 per plate. Students must pay in advance or same day to eat hot lunch. There will be NO charging this year for lunches.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Parents are encouraged to be involved in and out of the classroom. I will be needing assistance during learning centers and math workshops. I also need help for special occasions/activities--dates to be announced. There is plenty to do outside the classrooms as well--such as coloring, cutting etc. Please sign-up if you available to volunteer.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
Scholastic book order forms will be sent home once a month in the agenda. No purchase is required. If you choose to participate, the book orders are due on the day stipulated in back of the order forms. Please make checks payable to SCHOLASTIC.

SNACK
Please send your child with an extra healthy snack every day. We will be having snack every morning together. NO cookies, candy, cakes, or pop tarts will be allowed for snack. No drinks other than water will be allowed in the classroom. (Other drinks are acceptable to pack in the lunch box and be consumed in the lunchroom during lunch.)



Teacher Contact Information:
Katie Harris
(770) 468-7408, call or text
Email: Katie-harris@comcast.net