Dear Parents:
I am excited about the prospect of having your child in class. First grade is a time when physical, emotional, and cognitive growth is marked by dramatic change. As a teacher, I am thrilled at the natural curiosity and enthusiasm first graders have for learning and I believe it is critical to capitalize on this at an early age. By doing so, it sets the foundation for a positive school experience.
Following is some information that might be helpful for you to know.
- Friday Folders: Student work, communication from the office and homework will be sent home in a folder every Friday. Please remove papers from the folder and return it to school the following Monday.
- Homework: Students receive math homework every Friday. The work and activities are designed to be completed with parental assistance. Please help your child with the homework and return it to school by the following Wednesday.
- Occasionally I send home Social Studies or Science homework. A due date is listed on these papers.
- Children are expected to read leveled books from the classroom Right Start Reading baskets. They will bring home a book daily. The book should be read and returned the following day. We supply book bags and book logs to record the titles read.
- I encourage you to continue reading to your children and would like them to spend time reading and writing on their own. Suggestions for writing include stories, postcards, adding items to the grocery list, and letters.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hill-Rounds
Dear Parents,
We know that it may be tricky to find time to get to the library and check out new books or sometimes your children may attempt to read books that are a challenge. Although we encourage children to visit the library and find books of interest, we now have a new way for you and your child to read at home! Our new Houghton Mifflin reading series allows children to access hundreds of ‘just right’ books from home by accessing http://eduplace.com/eservices. You’ll find this program to be such a motivator and a frequented website that you’ll want to add to your favorites! We will also have a link on our Literacy Web page
Follow the directions below and enjoy this fantastic opportunity to read hundreds of new books from the comfort of your home.
1. Log in to the classroom account.
a. Go to http://eduplace.com/eservices
b. Enter 1_whitman for the username. (Case sensitive!)
c. Enter student for password.
d. Click Login.
2. Click the Online Leveled Books logo.
3. Click the Student Group graphic your child has been assigned.
4. Click Find Books. Browse by topic.
5. Click topic icon that interests you.
6. Choose a book to read by clicking its cover. The colored book covers include audio. Most helpful for early readers.
7. The end of the book includes responding questions and an activity. When time permits these are excellent opportunities to share with your child.
This site is especially appropriate for grade k-2 readers!