"Let the Children come to me!" Jesus

Welcome to Immacolata Catholic School! We are off to another great start as it brings with it new beginnings, challenges, and learning experiences for all in First Grade!

First Grade is a very important time for it brings with it the beginning and challenge of continuing to form and build upon the foundation of one’s education. This foundation must help sustain the many levels of education and growth that will continue throughout life!

First Grade is a time of transition and formation of your child physically, emotionally, spiritually, and academically. As “it takes a village to raise a child”, I believe “it takes both Parents and Staff to teach a child”. I also believe that one can not teach without gaining new insights from the Students and Colleagues.

I use a variety of methods, materials, and instruction to teach the concepts children on this First Grade Level need to know and master before continuing on to the next level of their education which would be Second Grade. Because every child is different and the way each child learns is unique, I believe that there is no one method that can effectively get the information and knowledge to students. Each child is diverse and I feel it is important that they each have the opportunities to discover and claim which learning style is right for them in order to find success within their learning.

This doesn’t mean that they don’t have to work on the different areas of learning for all have to write, read, solve, add, or subtract. However, I believe that there are those who are auditory learners, visual learners, or those who do best with hands-on instruction.

When assessing each child individually I do try to keep this in mind especially when it is something where the process isn’t as important as the mastering of the task at hand which results in a correct or an appropriate response or answer.

In the area of Mathematics I challenge each student to show his or her work for this subject has a concrete concept where there is one correct answer. Showing the work is helpful in order for the students to learn and grasp processes as well as providing the teacher an insight to the reasoning behind an incorrect answer to the problem(s).

This year we will begin the process of including an Accelerated Reading Program within our reading curriculum. I hope to start this by second semester.

There are some expectations that I require from each child which I believe supports and assists in achieving success throughout their First Grade Educational Experience:

* To bring their Homework Folder with their completed assignments and their signed homework Sheet EVERY Tuesday through Friday to School;

* Their Weekend Folder every Monday (which should be empty unless you have a note or something for the office or for me);

* To do their own homework (but this doesn’t mean you can’t help them!);

* A note prior to a scheduled absence or after with an unforeseen absence;

* To come dressed according to the School’s Dress Code;

* To get plenty of sleep which means getting to bed early;

* To pray and read EVERY day;

* To attend a weekend Mass;

* To always be honest with me, never be afraid to tell me if a poor choice was made, something was forgotten or if they are just having a bad day; and

* To respect Parents, Teachers, Authority, others, and especially themselves!

The following is a list of our Special Classes:

Spanish, Art, Music, *P.E. and Library

Monday: Computers

Tuesday: Spanish, Music, and *P.E.

Wednesday: Mass/Liturgy, Spanish

Thursday: Art

Friday: Library

*Please be sure that on the days we have P.E. that your son or daughter has on tennis shoes and if your daughter has on a jumper that she wear shorts on under it.

The Grading used for First Grade is:

O --- Outstanding (Concepts are Mastered with 95 - 100% accuracy with very little help in a consistent manner.)

VG --- Very Good (Understands the Concepts with 85 - 94% accuracy but

hasn’t quite mastered them in a consistent manner.)

S --- Satisfactory (Understands the Concepts with at least 75% accuracy with some help in a consistent manner.)

NI --- Needs Improvement (Struggles with the Concepts and isn’t able to grasp the information consistently; has incompletes on assignments; or is missing assignments!)

I try to reassure my students that anything with an S is wonderful for they are right on target for this Grade Level!! I also tell them that I will continue to challenge them in all areas in order to “stretch” their minds and their potential!

Grades are only TOOLS in assessing or projecting whether the student is grasping, applying, processing, and comprehending the material, knowledge etc!!

There are many other tools and means that are needed to uncover, guide, and give us information on how, where, and/or on what level one best learns or if one needs to be challenged!

I believe Grades and Assessments ARE needed and effective but please keep in mind that they are only tools and many aspects need to be considered in the whole scheme of things.

This is not mandatory but if you wish to send a treat for your child’s birthday I ask that you let me know a few days in advance in order for me to add it to my daily schedule. The treat can not be homemade but has to be something bought. The same applies for treats for class parties. This is a school rule.

Our annual Mission Carnival will be announced as well as Field Day

More information and details will be given at another time about both events.

As many of you may already know I have some classroom pets which are significant and have a purpose. We use them as part of Science. The children observe and at times have even attempted to “train” some of the animals. It encourages them to think in ways of searching out and predicting scientific outcomes and to find other interests in the field of Science.

I find it has also helped in teaching and promoting responsibility especially when at this level they love and want pets but parents aren’t quite sure they can handle the responsibility.

By taking one home for a weekend can give a sense of whether a pet is a good idea at this time depending on the family situation. It has also “curbed” the desire of having one’s own pet.

I have also used the animals as an example and a reminder that all of God’s creations are beautiful, holy, and that we are all a part of that circle of life. It is important that we respect our earth, nature, and that we are all God’s children so we need to respect one another!

Sometimes the animals have also been a comfort for the times that moms and dads are out of town or if a child is sad about something.

Also, having the animals has helped in the area of death. Children do NOT understand what it means to “die”. They react and cry and get upset because Adults are sad and upset. I have had animals die and we discuss that it is a part of life. The children have such a deep insight of what life really is about in so many ways!

I have to tell you that the animals are clean, healthy, and shorthaired. I am allergic to animal fur/dander and I find that shorthaired animals rarely shed and therefore have had minimal affects on my asthma and allergies.

Just a few other activities that will be happening this year:

Throughout the year both First Grade Classes come together for a variety of reasons and experiences. One such example deals with Field Trips. We will take 2 field trips this year. 1 will be in the Fall and 1 in the Spring.

We will have speakers come, Field Day, Catholic School’s Week, hands on activities,

May Crowning, Grandparents’ Mass just to name a few.

We will also be making our own Rosaries hopefully before or during October. We will be learning how to pray the Rosary and about the Mysteries. At the end of the school year they will be able to take home their Rosaries.

Throughout the year we will be learning about and how to pray the Rosary, Saints, Advent, the Christmas Season, Lent, the Easter Season and many other Church holidays.

As I stated in the beginning, I am confident that this is going to be an exciting year and I am so happy to have this opportunity and privilege to have your son or daughter in my Class!!