Parents: Parts of my website still contain information from when I taught kindergarten. I am in the process of changing it to my new and improved FIRST GRADE website. It should be ready soon! Until then please refer to the 1st grade website for up-to-date information.
WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER?
If you would like to be a volunteer for the school or for me, please let me know. We would love for you to be involved at our wonderful school! There are many ways to help out at school, but you can also help in other ways if you aren't able to be at school during the day. If you would like to help me cut out games, staple papers, etc, just let me know and I'll send things home with your child.
Just a little bit about myself....
I grew up in Bryan and graduated from Bryan High School and Texas A&M University. I began my teaching career in 1997 when I student taught here in Bryan. I have taught several grade levels but most of my teaching has been in kindergarten & first grade. My heart is with the little ones. Our school is truly a wonderful school. I am so excited your child is going to be in my class this year!
The ABC's of Ms. Edwards' 1st Grade Class...
Arrival Time
Attendance
**Your child needs to be at school by 8:05 each morning. The tardy bell doesn't ring until 8:35, however, getting here a little early allows the children time to put backpacks away, get supplies ready for the day and use the restroom before announcements. Having to rush in the morning sometimes makes for a difficult day for the kids.
**Breakfast begins at 7:45.
**Dismissal begins at 3:20.
**Please send a note the next day after an absence.
**If you must schedule a doctor appointment during the school day, please schedule it in the afternoon if possible.
Books
**Try to read with your child each day. Ask them questions about the story as you read. Involve them as much as possible and allow them to read words that they know.
**I will send home Scholastic Book orders each month. You can order online or send money to school. This is a great (and cheap) way to build up a library of books for your child.
Centers
**Your child will be working in learning centers each day. Some activities are more structured than others but all serve a purpose. Children learn a great deal of socialization during this time as well. While the children are working independently in centers, I am working with students one-on-one or in smaller reading groups.
Discipline
**Please click on the "Expectations" button at the top of this page for a detailed explanation of my philosophy on discipline.
Extraordinary Kids
**I believe every child in my class is extraordinary. I will spend a lot of time finding out all the ways that your child is extraordinary!!
Folders
**Daily folders will be sent home. Please check them each day for important papers and your child's work. This is where I will record your child's behavior for the day. Please discuss your child's behavior if it was not a good day and have your child come up with ways to make the next day better. Initial the conduct chart daily.
There will be a homework assignement Monday-Thursday. Your child will need more help with it at the beginning of the year. They will become more independent as the year goes on.
Going Home...
**If your child is going home differently than usual or with a different person, please send a note to me that morning or call the office as soon as you are aware of the change.
Healthy Kids
**Please keep me informed of any health issues concerning your child.
Independence
**One of the many goals in first grade is to teach your child independence. Please allow them to take care of getting their backpack ready for the day and making sure their folder gets signed and put back in their backpack, as well as getting homework in their folder. It might be quicker & easier for you to do it yourself, but if you help them remember to do it everyday, it will become a habit (and be easier on you!)
**After the first few days of school, I strongly encourage parents to drop children off at the front of the school to allow them the opportunity to become independent.
Jackets
**Make sure your child's name is on the inside of jackets and/or other articles that might be taken off throughout the day.
Kindergarten is fun but 1st grade is COOL!
**Many students come in thinking that 1st grade is going to be just like kindergarten. It's alot different but still lots of fun. I think the first couple of years of school lays the foundation for a child's whole academic career. Therefore, I spend alot of time & effort in making 1st grade a memorable experience!
Lunch
**Our lunch time is 11:12-11:42
**Birthday treats can not be brought to lunch. However, we can enjoy them in our class toward the end of the day. Cupcakes or cookies are best. Please do not send the large cupcakes. Due to time, the kids usually only eat a couple of bites. The mini-cupcakes work better.
**Please do not send carbonated drinks in lunch boxes. They tend to "explode" when opened.
Medicines
**All medicines must go to the nurse's office. Even a cough drop must be sent to the nurse.
Newsletters
**Each Monday I will send home a newsletter that will keep you informed of upcoming events, homework assignments, topics we are learning about, and needs we might have in our classroom.
Outside Recess
**When weather permits, the children will go outside to recess for about 30 minutes. It is a good idea for girls to wear shorts under dresses because of recess and PE time. Flip-flops are in style, however, it is very hard for kids to run and play in them. We have had many minor injuries due to children trying to run in flip-flops. Water bottles may be sent to school daily. Please wash them out at night. They accumulate many germs throughout the day!
PE Class
**Children need to wear tennis shoes or other shoes that are easy to run in during PE and/or recess.
Quiet Voices
**One of the hardest things for many 1st graders to learn is how to use quiet voices inside. Practicing this at home will make this easier to remember at school.
Responsibility
**I encourage responsibility in many ways. I believe kids learn to be responsible adults by being given responsibilities at an early age. Children will be helpers on a weekly basis. Ask your child about their classroom responsibilities. I also encourage you to make it your child's responsibility to give you their folder each day, take out and complete homework, and return that homework to their folder. Of course at the beginning you will need to remind them but with practice they will begin to remember on thier own. The more you get your child to do, the less you have to do! :)
School Supply List:
1 package of pencils
1 school box
1 pair of metal scissors
2 boxes of crayons (24 count)
1 package of washable markers (regular colors)
1 box of ziploc bags (quart or gallon)
1 box of Kleenex
1 backpack
4 folders (no brads)
2 folders (with brads)
2 large bottles of glue or 4 small bottles
Snacks:
**We have a snack from time to time. If you would like to donate snack for the class, here is a list of possible snacks:
*any kind of crackers
*baked chips
*teddy grahams
*fruit snacks
*pretzels
*animal crackers
*cereal
*microwave popcorn
Toys
**Toys need to be left at home unless requested for special days or lessons.
**Large jewelry items or watches tend to cause distraction as well.
Understanding
**In order for you and I to work together and understand each other, I encourage you to let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I know your child is your first priority and I want you to be well informed.
Valentine Party
**We will celebrate Valentine's Day with a party.
** We will also have a Christmas Party.
Our room parent will contact you for items needed for the parties.
Writing
**It will be very exciting for you to see the stages of writing that your child will go through during the year. At first, writing may consist of drawings with only letter or small words. The amount of words will grow until your child is making a complete sentence. Please encourage your child at each of these stages. They are all important in the writing process. As your child begins to sound out words, he/she will use "invented spelling", which is where words are sounded out phonetically. For example, the word "phone" might be spelled "fon" because that is the way it sounds. At this stage, this should be encouraged.
X-tra Clothes
**Your child will have many bathroom breaks throughout the day because we have a restroom in the classroom. However, accidents do happen. Please keep a change of clothes in your child's backpack in case of a bathroom accident, a spill during lunch time or an art project. This will save you a trip to the school!! Also, don't forget to make sure the change of clothes changes with the seasons. (At the beginning of the year, you might put a t-shirt and shorts in your child's backpack. However, when the weather turns cold, you would want to send something warmer.)
You
**You are your child's first teacher. Spend time talking to your child each day about what they learned at school. He/she will love sharing these things with you!!
Zippity do dah...Zippity eh...My oh my what a wonderful day!
**Every day in 1st grade is a wonderful day!
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