The Dot

We celebrated International Dot Day by reading The Dot by Peter Reynolds. The Dot tells the story of a caring teacher who reaches a reluctant student in a creative way. The teacher dares a very reluctant Vashti to "make her mark" and see where it takes her. Vashti begins by making a simple dot on a piece of paper which leads to a journey of self-discovery.

We had a great class conversation about Vashti, noticing how she didn't think she could draw in the beginning. She didn't have confidence in herself. Then we discuss how Vashti changes at the end of the story. She builds up confidence in herself as an artist. We were reminded of the power of the word YET. When we can't do something we need to remember to say "I can't do this ... YET" instead of "I can't do this."

Inspired to make his/her mark, each child in Room 18 created their own unique dot art which is proudly displayed in our 'dot' gallery.  

Joyfully,

Hilary Jackson

No Math Homework Tonight

 

Today the children had a math quiz on Unit 1, Lesson 1. There will be no math homework tonight.

The Power of Yet

 

The Power of Yet

Recently we read Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae. The book centers around a Giraffe who can't dance like all the other jungle animals and is made fun of because of his lack of dancing skills. Gerald is the perfect character for teaching students about a growth mindset.  After we read the story we brainstormed things we can't do YET. We shared many ideas and discovered that everyone has something that they can not do YET!  

As we finished the story Giraffes Can't Dance, we discovered that Gerald finds a dance of his own. His "YET" has become a 'NOW'. All it took was practice, confidence in himself, and time! After reading, we created this poster of the things that we can't do yet. We discussed how there will be a lot of things in first grade that we can't do yet, but with a little perseverance and courage, we are already on our way to getting there!

Joyfully,

Hilary Jackson

Math Update: Unit 1 Lesson 1: Counting On to Add

Today we began the first unit in our Ready math program - Numbers Within Ten Addition and Subtraction. Your child brought home the Table of Contents for Unit 1 which outlines the concepts we will cover over the next few months. In addition, your child brought home a Family Letter which gives an overview of our first lesson: Counting on to Add. These were sent home in your child's BEE Folder.

Typically, students complete blue pages as classwork at school. They won't always be finished and that is okay. Beginning next week, any green pages will be homework and are due the next day of school. 

If the homework problems seem too hard for your child and they don't know what to do, please just write a note to me on the top of the page and send it back to school.  I will be sure to give your child the extra support they need to complete the assignment independently. 

Joyfully,

Hilary Jackson

First Few Days of School

 

We had a wonderful first seven days of school! I am confident we will have a great year together. It has been a whirlwind of learning procedures, practicing routines, reading books, and the children are starting to get a feel of how our day will go. We have spent much of our time getting to know each other and the school. The children have heard a lot of new information and I have tried not to overwhelm them. 

Math Homework Next week children will bring home workbook pages from their Math book that accompany the day's lesson. These will usually go home on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The sole purpose of math homework in first grade is to help children know what to say when you ask them, "what did you learn at school today?"  If the homework problems seem too hard for your child and they don't know what to do, please just write a note to me on the top of the page and send it back to school.  I will be sure to give your child the extra support they need to complete the assignment independently. 

• At the beginning of each lesson (usually on Mondays), I will send home the Family Letter which outlines lesson objectives, and activities you can do at home as well as the math vocabulary we will be using for that lesson.
• Blue pages that are sent home are pages we complete together in class. Sometimes they won't be finished and that is okay.
• Green pages are homework. They are to be completed each night and returned the next day.
• Homework will USUALLY go home Mon-Thursday evenings. I do not assign homework when the children have a math assessment, which is usually on Fridays.

Forms

•  Class Directory Oftentimes throughout the school year, families from our classroom reach out to me asking for contact information for different students for various reasons such as sending birthday party invitations and coordinating playdates. I am not allowed to share this private information, BUT each year I create a shared contact class directory where parents CAN share contact information ONLY if they are comfortable with the families of our classroom having access to it. Please use this link to enter the contact information you would like to share in our class directory. Should you have any questions, please let me know. I hope you find this helpful in coordinating outside-of-school activities and fostering friendships.

 

I am looking forward to another great week! Have a wonderful weekend.

Joyfully, 

Hilary Jackson

Getting to Know Each Other

 We are eager to get to know one another in Room 18.  Today, your child will bring home a "Getting to Know You" Show and Tell Bag in their Bee Book.  Your child should put one item into the bag and bring it back to school tomorrow, Thursday, September 1. for a special getting to know you show and tell time.  It can be anything that is special to your child that will help us get to know him/her. 

Joyfully,

Hilary Jackson  

Welcome to Room 18!

 

Welcome to First Grade! I am so glad that your child will be learning and growing in Room 18 this year. I am working hard to get our classroom ready!  

        McGovern School Self-Guided Tour

I will be setting up our classroom (Room 18) on Wednesday, August 24 from 9-11 am if you would like to stop in and say hello. I can't wait to meet you and show you around our classroom.

Google Forms

•  Getting to Know Your Child I would like to know more about your child so that I can better meet his or her individual needs.  Please use this link and take a moment to complete this get-to-know-you form and submit it to me no later than Friday, September 9th.

• Class Directory Oftentimes throughout the school year, families from our classroom reach out to me asking for contact information for different students for various reasons such as sending birthday party invitations and coordinating playdates. I am not allowed to share this private information, BUT each year I create a shared contact class directory where parents CAN share contact information ONLY if they are comfortable with the families of our classroom having access to it. Please use this link to enter the contact information you would like to share in our class directory. Should you have any questions, please let me know. I hope you find this helpful in coordinating outside-of-school activities and fostering friendships.

First Day of School

School begins on Wednesday, August 31st, 2021.  Here are a few things you will need on the first day of school:

• First Day of School Dismissal Bracelets

In your back-to-school letter from me, you should have received

four paper bracelets that your child will need to wear on the first

four days of school. Each bracelet is dated. Please fill out the

information on the bracelet (name and bus# to take home on the

first day of school. If you are going to pick up your child, please cross out

“Bus Number” and write in “Parent Pick-Up.”). Cut out on the border,
fit to your child’s wrist, and tape. 

• A healthy snack and lunch (or lunch money/number) with your child's full name on it. Please send a snack/drink in a SEPARATE bag from lunch.  Snack and lunch are kept in different places.

Explore the Classroom Blog

Please take some time to explore all of the pages, posts, and links on

this blog. It is filled with lots of helpful information and resources. In

an effort to be green, my blog will be the PRIMARY way I will inform

you about important dates, special events, curriculum, and so

much more. My goal is to communicate with you in a more efficient

and visual manner and to provide you with a "window into our

classroom" on a regular basis. I can't wait to share what has been

happening in Room 18 with you! 

Thank you so much for helping your child get ready for first grade. Please e-mail me if you have any questions at hjackson@medwayschools.org. I cannot wait to meet your child and look forward to a happy and productive school year!

Joyfully, 

Hilary Jackson