What a busy and exciting five days we have had learning the rules of the classroom and playground as well as getting to know each other. We've talked about the brain and the value of making mistakes (ask your child about this). They have loved the stories "Tikki Tikki Tembo" and "The Hungry Thing" and hopefully they can tell you the beginning, middle and end of these stories if you ask them. They are learning that math manipulatives are tools, not toys, and are excited to be the mystery person. There is so much to look forward to in first grade!

Homework Folders: Most of your children have shown great responsibility returning and packing up their homework folders daily. It is a responsibility that I encourage you to help your child learn. It is my hope that you will look at the contents of the folder daily and support your child with any concepts which seem to be difficult for them. Unfinished work usually will not need to be returned to school, but I encourage you to help your child complete any work that is challenging for them.

Homework: Reading daily and working on math concepts are your child's homework assignments this year. If you have books at home that are at your child's level, I encourage you to have them read to you. Additionally they will benefit from you reading to them. Math work may include math worksheets, flashcards, games on the computer, card games, board games and quizzing them orally. Please do not send in any of the math work, but remember it qualifies as time on the homework log. Return the log to school at the end of each week. If for some reason you cannot find your child's reading log, any paper will do, just turn it in.

Math: At the beginning of a new math module I will send home the entire math homework packet. It is better that your child does not finish it all at once, but that he/she works on it as we complete or approach a lesson. Look for the packet this week.

Additional Information:

• Fridays are library days. Please have your child return their library book no later than Friday morning. 
• Please make sure your child has their homework paper in their folder Friday morning.
• You can find additional information and worksheets on the sidebar of my blog which you can access through the RDM website http://www.riodelmar.pvusd.net/ under Faculty Directory/First Grade and my name.
• Let me know if you are ok with having your address, phone number/s, child's birthdate and email shared. If you are uncomfortable with sharing your email, I will ask that you check my blog regularly as I will not include you on the group email. 
• Please check the RDM website http://www.riodelmar.pvusd.net/ for the Back to School Night, Picture Day date and other events.

Our class and I appreciate all of the supplies that have been sent in over the past few days. Please accept this very impersonal thank you for your generosity. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we move through the year.