I hope you all enjoy a long weekend with your families and friends as I enjoy mine and rest up for a short week but a  packed one. This past week was an awesome success getting to know all of our new students and teaching expectations. First grade expectations are set high but attainable by ALL students. Encourage good work habits and social habits with your child. When these are in place, academics fall into place much quicker and easier.

This next week we will continue our author/book study of Kevin Henkes and begin our word work of distinguishing between vowels and consonants. I will continue reading level testing with each student to find their individual level. Guided reading stations will be introduced as well as math stations. In math we will begin intentional problem solving with addition of small sums. Students will also begin spelling this week. The spelling words will come home on yellow/white writing paper. Be sure to look for these and study at home as well. The spelling test will not be until next week.

Several notes will come home this week to explain many of our academic/behavior expectations. Please read these so that you have a better understanding of what we do each day. There will be a parent orientation for first grade on September 9th at 5:30. There will be more information coming home about this next week also.

Please feel free to put any notes in your child’s planner. I check these each day and this is an easy way to correspond. I also encourage those who haven’t signed up for updates through text message to do so. Just call 903-374-0053 and text @d9b7. You will receive reminders from me via text message; however, these are group messages, not individual.

Hope you all have a great holiday!

Mrs. Benson