First Days of School

Welcome to the 2017- 2018 school year! I am so excited to get to know you all and see where this year takes us. After we had Kindergarten screening, we had 2 phase in days. Thursday half of the students came to school and Friday the other half came. Monday they all got to meet each other! The first two days & our first full week together, we learned how to be in Kindergarten, school expectations, and our classroom expectations. Here are some pictures of our classroom.

Meet our friends this year:

Left: Jayden, Right: Kayla

Left: Eli, Right: Cwenlee

Left: Gracie, Right: Jenna A.

Left: Hector, Right: Van

Left: Janah M., Right: Anna

Left: Jaelynn, Right: Channing

Left: Anthony O., Right: Aiden

Left: Gage, Right: Laylah

Left: Merylin, Right: Carter

Left: Jade, Right: Anthony K.

Left: Tayden, Right: Teah

Left: Lilliana, Right: Amaiya

Take a look at some pictures from our first days together below.

First, we learned how to find our classroom, hang up book bags, make their lunch choice, and breakfast procedures. Next, we learned hallway expectations and how to have control of our bodies as we walk in the hallway. In the pictures below, we are taking a tour of the school and working on having a "bubble" in our mouth, hands by our side and quiet feet in the hallway.

We did a walkthrough of our ECC Cafe so the students could practice going through the lunch line or what to do if you packed your lunch, and finding where our table is to sit. Mrs. Hall talked to the students about what to do after they finish their lunch and where to line up when we leave the cafe.

Here are a few pictures of our friends enjoying their packed lunches.

The rest of the students went through the line to get the lunch they ordered & pick their sides.

We enjoyed playing outside on these beautiful days as well! The students loved to see sunflowers growing in one of the flower boxes in the middle of the playground planted by last year's students!

We also worked on exploring different materials. We discussed how to treat the materials in the classroom, how to use them to learn, and how to clean them up when we are finished. Below you can see pictures of the students exploring with legos, wooden pieces, rocks and natural materials, and animals.

We had a great first 2 days and the students all left with a big smile on their faces! 

Monday morning, the students all came to school ready to learn! Here are a couple pictures from Mrs. Hall's newsletter of our friends Amaiya & Anna with their moms before school on Monday.

Meet Ms. Rose our Wright State student who will be working with our class this semester!

We continued to explore different materials and the students really showed me that they know how to take care of them & how to clean up when they are finished. 

We have also been working hard on our interactive school rules book. Take a look at the pages that we have completed so far! We have discussed how school makes us feel happy & we learned that we must raise our hand when we have something to say & wait to be called on.

 My mom, Mrs. Boxley, will be coming to our classroom every Tuesday to help with various things. Tuesday, she shared with the class about herself and we made a web of things we learned about her. Afterwards, the students drew pictures of Mrs. Boxley doing something she discussed and we put them into a book for her to take home! We worked on drawing a picture using quality work and not yuck work, using appropriate colors and shapes, and trying our best! 

I shared my treasure block with the students, made a web of things they learned about me, and they drew pictures for me as well. 

Our friend Kayla also shared her treasure block & we did the same for her. 

We use GoNoodle for brain breaks throughout the day and below you can see the students working on calming themselves down. They have so many great videos and you can sign up to use it at home for free as well!

The students enjoying outdoor recess on hot days!

We did a name activity where the students had to rip paper and glue the pieces on each letter of their name. The students worked hard and used their fine motor skills to complete this activity and they really enjoyed it. They turned out great and are now hanging in the hallway for you to see during Open House next week!

Mrs. Whiteford, our music teacher, working with the students during music class.

Below you will see our "I Wonder" choice time where the students get to choose one of many different areas to work in each day. Below Left: Look Closer Area, Below Right: Loose Parts Area

Left: Science Area, Right: Library Area

Left: Engineering Area, Right: Art Area

Left: Writing Area, Right: Home Living Area

We have started using the program Teach Town which focuses on teaching the students Social Skills. We watch a daily video, have discussions, and reinforce it using a story book, a worksheet,  homework & acting it out with puppets. So far we have focused on the following lessons "Listen When the Teacher Talks" & "Ask Before Interrupting Play". The students have enjoyed the lessons & you will continue to see things coming home about Teach Town throughout the school year.

Here are the books that we have read so far. Ask your child to tell you about each book. We have also been learning how to spell the color word R-E-D, ask your child to sing you the red color song!

Important papers that came home this week:

Scholastic Order forms- Due 9/18. If you would like to order, you can send in your order form with payment or order online. They will be sent home monthly & books ordered earn our classroom rewards!

September Homework (green paper)- Complete & color in 5 boxes to make a bingo, then bring back to school signed by a parent/guardian to receive 1 treasure from the treasure box. OR complete & color in ALL boxes and bring it back to school signed by a parent/guardian to receive 2 treasures from the treasure box.

September Reading Log (yellow paper)

Pink Paper- Information about the state's guidelines on Healthy Snacks being brought into the classrooms.

Gold Paper- Information on the Treasure Blocks your child will be making & bringing in. Please have your child bring their completed Treasure Block to school by the date listed on your paper!

Introduction paper to our school community including staff members & students in our class.

I gave you 2 packets at screening or sent them home on your child's first day. The packet with the green paper in the front (asks for your email) is to be sent back to school if you haven't already done so. The packet with the salmon paper in the front (extra supplies needed) has important papers for you to keep.

Thanks for stopping by. Check back again next week to see what we are up to! 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Brittany Garrabrant