Classroom Information
This page contains most of the information about our classroom that you will need to know.
Snack
Around 10:30 am, every day, we will have a snack time in class. Each child will bring his or her own snacks each day. Please remember Ann Arbor's initiative to encourage healthy eating. Send in only fruits, vegetables, or healthy snacks. This year, we may have nut allergies in the classroom, so please do not send in anything with nuts for at least the first eight weeks of school. I appreciate your help with snack since it is very important at the beginning of the school year. It helps the students get through the long school days!
Tips for Snacks:
Fruit Tips for snack:
Vegetable Suggestions for snack:
Around 10:30 am, every day, we will have a snack time in class. Each child will bring his or her own snacks each day. Please remember Ann Arbor's initiative to encourage healthy eating. Send in only fruits, vegetables, or healthy snacks. This year, we may have nut allergies in the classroom, so please do not send in anything with nuts for at least the first eight weeks of school. I appreciate your help with snack since it is very important at the beginning of the school year. It helps the students get through the long school days!
Tips for Snacks:
- One item, a small portion.
- It helps if it is packed separate from your child’s lunch or your child knows what his/her snack is for the day.
- No soda or juice boxes. Water bottles are allowed. Please label you child's bottle with their name. Thanks!
- Consider using a re-usable container for snack. Be green!
Fruit Tips for snack:
- Cut the fruit in half (i.e. apple) for portion control & penny-saving! If sending in an orange, please pre-peel.
- Raisins
- Dried fruit or real fruit leathers (NO “fruit snacks” or “fruit roll-ups”)
- Unsweetened apple sauce (It may be more cost effective & green to buy it by the jar and send it with a re-useable container & spoon)
Vegetable Suggestions for snack:
- Baby carrots
- Snap or snow peas
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
Folders
Every day your child will come home with a folder. One side is for papers to return to school; the other side is for notes home from the teacher, school, or district. Please make sure to check and return your child's folder every day. Each day your child returns his or her folder, he or she will earn a sticker!
Every day your child will come home with a folder. One side is for papers to return to school; the other side is for notes home from the teacher, school, or district. Please make sure to check and return your child's folder every day. Each day your child returns his or her folder, he or she will earn a sticker!
Homework
My homework policy has changed this year. The latest research has shown that homework in kindergarten has no impact on student learning and can possibly have a negative impact on these young children. My goal is to ensure your students are happy and successful. Therefore, there will be no homework for my students this year. Your child may receive suggestions for activities to complete, but these are not required nor do they have to be returned. However, it is good for your child and your family to get into "good, healthy habits for the brain."
My suggestions for daily, healthy habits are:
My homework policy has changed this year. The latest research has shown that homework in kindergarten has no impact on student learning and can possibly have a negative impact on these young children. My goal is to ensure your students are happy and successful. Therefore, there will be no homework for my students this year. Your child may receive suggestions for activities to complete, but these are not required nor do they have to be returned. However, it is good for your child and your family to get into "good, healthy habits for the brain."
My suggestions for daily, healthy habits are:
- Read daily for at least 20 minutes - for fun! Reading should be enjoyable.
- Spend family time doing educational activities. (Ex. count steps or items, sing the alphabet song, play letter search games, rhyme together, cook together)
- Spend 30-60 minutes outside in the rain, snow, or sunshine! Jump in puddles, build snowmen, go for walks, ride bikes, and simply let your child explore his or her world. This is one of the best ways for your child to grow.
Book Orders
Scholastic book orders will be sent home once a month for you to peruse. This is a great and inexpensive way to build a library at home! With every book order, our class earns points towards new books for the classroom. Take advantage of these great deals on some wonderful books!
Now it's easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child -- shop the NEW online Book Clubs Web Site. Choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay. You can do this at any time; you do not need to wait for the flyers to be sent home! If you want to purchase items as a gift, please let me know and I can keep your order discreet. You can use this site to order books for your other children as well!
Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: JDCRR
** I am looking for a parent who can help to organize the flyers and pass them out to the students each month. If you are interested in helping with this (can be done at home or in the classroom and only takes about 15-20 minutes per month), please email me.
Scholastic book orders will be sent home once a month for you to peruse. This is a great and inexpensive way to build a library at home! With every book order, our class earns points towards new books for the classroom. Take advantage of these great deals on some wonderful books!
Now it's easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child -- shop the NEW online Book Clubs Web Site. Choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay. You can do this at any time; you do not need to wait for the flyers to be sent home! If you want to purchase items as a gift, please let me know and I can keep your order discreet. You can use this site to order books for your other children as well!
Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: JDCRR
** I am looking for a parent who can help to organize the flyers and pass them out to the students each month. If you are interested in helping with this (can be done at home or in the classroom and only takes about 15-20 minutes per month), please email me.
Birthdays/Class Parties
There will be many occasions during the school year that will be cause for celebration! We want to celebrate your child in a healthy and encouraging way! Please remember that our school policy mandates healthy snacks, token prizes (such as pencils or erasers), to donate a book or game to the classroom, or for your child to receive an extra 5 minutes of recess in his or her honor. Families are always welcome to join us in the classroom during these celebrations. We celebrate all birthdays in the last 15 minutes of the school day.
There will be many occasions during the school year that will be cause for celebration! We want to celebrate your child in a healthy and encouraging way! Please remember that our school policy mandates healthy snacks, token prizes (such as pencils or erasers), to donate a book or game to the classroom, or for your child to receive an extra 5 minutes of recess in his or her honor. Families are always welcome to join us in the classroom during these celebrations. We celebrate all birthdays in the last 15 minutes of the school day.
Volunteering
Parent volunteers are always welcome in the classroom! I usually ask that we have no volunteers for the first month of school to establish our routines and authority. If you are interested in being a volunteer after October during our Literacy or Math Workstation times or to help with folders, please email me with the days you are available and how often you would like to volunteer.
I can also use helpers at home. I make a lot of activities for the students on laminated card stock. This all needs to be cut out, organized, and labeled.
Parent volunteers are always welcome in the classroom! I usually ask that we have no volunteers for the first month of school to establish our routines and authority. If you are interested in being a volunteer after October during our Literacy or Math Workstation times or to help with folders, please email me with the days you are available and how often you would like to volunteer.
I can also use helpers at home. I make a lot of activities for the students on laminated card stock. This all needs to be cut out, organized, and labeled.
Classroom Donations
As a classroom parent, you are never expected to donate supplies for the class. Donations are completely voluntary. If you are able and willing to donate, our classroom is often in need of healthy snacks, tissues, Ziploc bags, and cardstock. We also have additional needs or wants from time to time. Desired classroom items can be found on our classroom Wish List.
Classroom Amazon Wish List
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32QFD7WBR1LJN?ref_=wl_share
As a classroom parent, you are never expected to donate supplies for the class. Donations are completely voluntary. If you are able and willing to donate, our classroom is often in need of healthy snacks, tissues, Ziploc bags, and cardstock. We also have additional needs or wants from time to time. Desired classroom items can be found on our classroom Wish List.
Classroom Amazon Wish List
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32QFD7WBR1LJN?ref_=wl_share
Kindergarten Success
You and I both want your child to be successful and have a magical and amazing year of learning and discovery! Here are some helpful tips on how to help your child be successful in school:
* Work on teaching your child to tie his or her shoes at home!
* Practice getting dressed, zipping up zippers, buttoning buttons, putting on coats, hats, mittens/gloves, and boots/shoes.
* Keep an extra set of clothes, including socks, in your child’s backpack. You never know when we need a change!
* Label your child’s removable clothing with his or her name or initials (sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, lunchboxes, etc).
* Leave toys at home. Toys often become a distraction in backpacks and in the classroom.
* In Kindergarten your child will learn how to become more independent. Give them opportunities at home to be independent and have responsibility!
Examples include:
You and I both want your child to be successful and have a magical and amazing year of learning and discovery! Here are some helpful tips on how to help your child be successful in school:
* Work on teaching your child to tie his or her shoes at home!
* Practice getting dressed, zipping up zippers, buttoning buttons, putting on coats, hats, mittens/gloves, and boots/shoes.
* Keep an extra set of clothes, including socks, in your child’s backpack. You never know when we need a change!
* Label your child’s removable clothing with his or her name or initials (sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, lunchboxes, etc).
* Leave toys at home. Toys often become a distraction in backpacks and in the classroom.
* In Kindergarten your child will learn how to become more independent. Give them opportunities at home to be independent and have responsibility!
Examples include:
- Cleaning up after himself or herself
- Getting dressed by himself or herself
- Bringing you his or her folder every day after school
- Helping around the house