Welcome to our Starfish Classroom Blog! I'm excited to share classroom news, photos of our school days, and the exciting learning that happens in first grade. I encourage you to share our blog www.starfishlearners.blogspot.com with other family members to get a snapshot of your child's learning that happens in our classroom.
It has been a spectacular first week in the Starfish Classroom. I have left each day with a big smile on my face excited to be a part of eighteen new first grader's lives. In just four short days, I can already feel a strong sense of community forming in our classroom. It's exciting to watch new friendships being formed.
I have already taken many pictures from our first days and I can't wait to post them on our blog. I will post the pictures once I receive permission from all families! :)
Here's a glimpse of some of the activities from our first week:
- Read chrysanthemum by Kevin Hankes and created large name posters for outside of classroom
- Find a Friend Activity- We found 3 things we had in common with a new classmate
- Learned the importance of being first time listeners
- Played Starfish Squeeze (a number line math game) and Back to School Bump
- Wrote home about our first week (check your mailboxes over the next few days!)
- Read It's Okay to be Different and It's Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr
- Played many morning meeting games to build a classroom community
- Played a game with the Lobster Class during our first Tide Pool Time
- Painted Starfish with our hands
- Played tag games during P.E.
- Explored unifix cubes and pattern blocks in our classroom
What's Quiet Time?
Over the summer I spent a week being trained in Responsive Classroom.The Responsive Classroom approach is a way of teaching that emphasizes social, emotional, and academic growth in a strong and safe school community. One of the components of Responsive Classroom is Quiet time. This is a 10 minute downtime in the classroom set up as a a way for students to regroup and refocus after being away from the classroom for 45 minutes for lunch and recess.
During our first week at school, we have implemented rules and practiced the routines of quiet time in the classroom. During the first week I introduced free drawing, mendala coloring, reading books, and rest time during quiet time. During our closing circle each day, I have asked the kids what's their favorite part of their day at school. Recess is of course a popular response but it was interesting to me to hear how many children chose quiet time as their favorite. It got me thinking how important and impactful this 10 minutes will be during our day.
Here's some more information about Quiet Time from an article on
Responsive Classroom's Website:
The world of school is so focused and structured. Children move from activity to activity, lesson to lesson, and room to room, with barely time to breathe. Even recess and lunch often feel frantic. And during the school year, even though Heather and I try not to over-schedule, it doesn’t take much before guitar practice, swim team practice, and track practice fill every evening. It’s no wonder that children can have a hard time knowing what to do with “downtime” when they get it.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could build more downtime into each school day? In today’s hurried and harried school climate, it’s hard to imagine setting aside time to let students self-direct, but there would be some great benefits. Think of the powerful, important skills they would practice: self-initiative, creativity, self-regulation, and many more!
What's Tide Pool Time?
This year Mrs. Hackett's First Grade Class and the Starfish Class are joining together every Wednesday afternoon for Tide Pool Time. This allows us to build a larger first grade community. During this time Mrs. Hackett and I will plan activities to reinforce skills the students are learning or group based projects around a learning theme. This week the kids got together to play Back To School Bump.
Who is Sully and Spotty?
Sully and Spotty are our favorite classroom mascots! Your child will have a chance to bring Sully and Spotty home for a night over the next few weeks. Later in the year we will begin a traveling notebook of Sully and Spotty and your child will bring the stuffed animal home for longer lengths of time!
Important Starfish Announcements and Dates:
- Library Bags: Your child brought their library books home on Wednesday in a large plastic bag. Mrs. O'Connor has asked that you try to bring back your child's library books back on library days (day 3) in this bag. She is trying out a new system of checking out books and this will be helpful for her to organize the books for each student/class. Thank you for your support!
- Student Forms: Thank you for your help with filling out your child's student forms for both me and the office. If you have any forms still at home, the office would appreciate you sending those forms back to school as soon as possible!
- Open House: First Grade Open House is Scheduled for September 15 at 6:30.
- Friday, 9/2: No School
- Monday, 9/5: No School, Labor Day
- Thursday, 9/8: Curriculum Night Grades 3-5 @6:30
- Thursday, 9/15: Picture Day, Curriculum Night Grades K-2 @6:30
- Friday, 9/16: Dot Day, One World Language School Open House @ 6:30
- Wednesday, 9/28: Early Release Day (12:50 dismissal)
Here are some questions to ask your child to promote a home-school connection:
1. Can you tell me who sits at your table?
2. Who do you like playing with at recess?
1. Can you tell me who sits at your table?
2. Who do you like playing with at recess?
3. What does it mean to be a bucket filler?
4. How do you play Back to School Bump (math game)?
5. What did you choose to do during quiet time this week?
6. What's your favorite food to eat for snack at school?
7. What games did you play during P.E. this week?
4. How do you play Back to School Bump (math game)?
5. What did you choose to do during quiet time this week?
6. What's your favorite food to eat for snack at school?
7. What games did you play during P.E. this week?
8. Are there any Starfish that ride the bus with you?
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to send me an email at mmurphy@sau16.org. I'm looking forward to a successful and fun year with your family!
Have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Warmly,
Mrs. Murphy
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