Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all my families!
Elf yourself this holiday season by clicking here!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Elf Yourself!
May your Holiday be merry and bright!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all my families!
Elf yourself this holiday season by clicking here!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all my families!
Elf yourself this holiday season by clicking here!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Mastery Club Challenge
Mastery Club Challenge!
Brought to you by an amazing 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Renz, who has inspired thousands of teachers to do the same in their classrooms.
Welcome to the First Grade Challenge.
Follow this link to complete the challenges. You will need to scroll down the page until you see the actual challenges.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to complete as many challenges as possible.
Each challenge:
1) needs to be on its own piece of paper
2) the challenge subject and number must be clearly marked
3) turn it into the wooden box by my desk
For each challenge you complete, you will receive a star. You do not need to complete them in number order. Have fun and learn something new!
This is not mandatory and will be for fun. This is for those students who can NOT gain enough knowledge and love to learn!
...besides who doesn't like to see who can collect a lot of gold stars? :o)
I will introduce this at school and allow time for them to work on it here if they choose.
Brought to you by an amazing 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Renz, who has inspired thousands of teachers to do the same in their classrooms.
Welcome to the First Grade Challenge.
Follow this link to complete the challenges. You will need to scroll down the page until you see the actual challenges.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to complete as many challenges as possible.
Each challenge:
1) needs to be on its own piece of paper
2) the challenge subject and number must be clearly marked
3) turn it into the wooden box by my desk
For each challenge you complete, you will receive a star. You do not need to complete them in number order. Have fun and learn something new!
This is not mandatory and will be for fun. This is for those students who can NOT gain enough knowledge and love to learn!
...besides who doesn't like to see who can collect a lot of gold stars? :o)
I will introduce this at school and allow time for them to work on it here if they choose.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Numbers
I am sure you all have received and read the letter from the principal yesterday. It is with such a heavy heart that I had to send this home. It is a difficult time in all of our lives as a classroom community. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no say over who stays and who goes on to the new class.
I do want to ask of you a few things.
First, please make this a positive experience for your child...no matter how upset you may be over this. Children are resilent and adapt extremely well. This is especially true if they know their parents are behind them 100%.
Second, please give the "new" teacher a chance. I was her back in 1993. I started after school had begun. I received 33 kindergarten students. (Yes, class sizes were huge then!!!) It was a great experience for me and the students. As a matter of fact, I just attended a graduation of a young lady who I taught that very first year. I have watched her grow and bloom over all of these years. She still says I was her best teacher EVER!!!! You may just have the same kind of experience.
Lastly, I am the team leader and school wide mentor for all new teachers. She will carry out a very similar plan and structure of her classroom as I do in my own. Perhaps, she will bring even more amazing things to the classroom that I am able to learn from her as well!
We had high numbers in 1st, 4th, and in 5th grade. The 1st grade teacher has not been hired yet. I imagine the process will be a couple of weeks.
Again, it breaks my heart to even think of losing one student to a new teacher. However, the positive side is that lower class sizes makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!! Please believe me on that. It will be best for all students involved. The level of attention and focus your child will receive is impacted even with two extra children in the class.
Til then, I will let you know as soon as I know anything. Most days though, I am last to know.
I do want to ask of you a few things.
First, please make this a positive experience for your child...no matter how upset you may be over this. Children are resilent and adapt extremely well. This is especially true if they know their parents are behind them 100%.
Second, please give the "new" teacher a chance. I was her back in 1993. I started after school had begun. I received 33 kindergarten students. (Yes, class sizes were huge then!!!) It was a great experience for me and the students. As a matter of fact, I just attended a graduation of a young lady who I taught that very first year. I have watched her grow and bloom over all of these years. She still says I was her best teacher EVER!!!! You may just have the same kind of experience.
Lastly, I am the team leader and school wide mentor for all new teachers. She will carry out a very similar plan and structure of her classroom as I do in my own. Perhaps, she will bring even more amazing things to the classroom that I am able to learn from her as well!
We had high numbers in 1st, 4th, and in 5th grade. The 1st grade teacher has not been hired yet. I imagine the process will be a couple of weeks.
Again, it breaks my heart to even think of losing one student to a new teacher. However, the positive side is that lower class sizes makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!! Please believe me on that. It will be best for all students involved. The level of attention and focus your child will receive is impacted even with two extra children in the class.
Til then, I will let you know as soon as I know anything. Most days though, I am last to know.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
First Grade Handbook
I am very much looking forward to Open House on Thursday night. I understand some of the parents have siblings in the other grade levels that are meeting the same night we are meeting. I am placing the "Handbook" on the blog so you can refer to it at your convenience.
See you Thursday night!
Clothing
First graders are involved in active learning. Despite our reasonable precautions your child may get dirty. Clothing should be comfortable and manageable. Your child should be able to use the bathroom and zip, snap, fasten, and tie clothing without assistance. If he/she wears tie shoes, please be working on tying skills.
Getting Ready
Be sure your child has the energy he/she needs by getting plenty of rest and starting his/her day with a good breakfast. School begins at 8:35 each day. Please do not send your child before 8:15 am. Dismissal is at 3:00 pm every day except Wednesday when it is 2:00pm. Please be on time to drop off and pick up your child.
Bathroom
Please work on independent skills. Children are permitted to use the bathroom at any time of the day. They are asked to use the bathroom before P.A.M. (P.E., Art, Music) and lunch. Please work on hand washing skills as this will help the germs from spreading.
Lunch
Our lunch time begins at 10:50 and lasts for 30 minutes. Please pack a nutritious lunch that you think your child will eat. (Candy and sodas should not be included.) Practice opening lunch box, food containers and a thermos at home. Be sure your child’s name is on all parts of his/her lunch box. The lunch menu is posted at SCPS website (www.scps.k12.fl.us). Your child will have his/her own lunch number which you should help him/her memorize as soon as possible. Each time your child makes a purchase, the cost will be deducted from the account balance. Please discuss with your child what he/she may buy: ice cream, cookies, chips, etc. Please discuss appropriate table manners with your child and encourage the same table manners that you expect at home. If you would like to come and have lunch with your child, please sign in at the front office and get a visitor’s name tag.
Transportation
One of the most important times of the day is dismissal. It is of utmost importance that your child arrives home safely every day. Please make sure he/she is aware of how they will go home. Under no circumstances will a child be sent home because he/she says they are going home by a different mode of transportation. I must have a written note or a phone call to myself or the front office stating if a child will be having a change of transportation. Please do not just leave a message on my voicemail with a transportation change, make sure you speak to me or the front office.
Dismissal
First graders are escorted to their designated dismissal areas a few minutes before the rest of the school is dismissed. Do not tell older siblings to come to get your child at dismissal time. Older siblings and/or parents should meet the first grader at his/her dismissal area.
Classroom Access
For the safety of all our children, all campus visitors are required to have a Visitor’s sticker (attained in Front Office) every time they are on campus. You must be a registered Dividend to assist in the classroom/go on field trips. If you signed up last year, you must sign up again this year. You may not volunteer in the classroom or go on field trips if you are not registered. This includes any family member who may be interested in volunteering at school.
Media Center
We will visit the media center weekly. In a few weeks your child will be bringing home the books he/she has checked out. Please remember to return the media book on or before the next media day. Our media day will be announced in the near future.
Accelerated Reading Program (AR)
First graders will begin participating in the AR program. Some of your children may have participated in kindergarten last year. We have many AR books in the classroom that the students may read during the day. They may also check out AR books from the media center. If you have a Seminole County library card, the Wekiva branch has a list of the books that Sabal Point students can take tests on. Your child will be able to take tests on a regular basis. He/she signs up in the classroom when they have completed reading a book. They may take as many tests as our schedule allots each day. Please encourage your child to read each book thoroughly as each test asks for specific details. Tests are taken on computers in the classroom as well as the media center. This is an outstanding program as it helps to strengthen comprehension, word recognition, fluency, etc.
Daily Take Home Folder
Your child has been given a green folder that is to come to school with him/her daily. The folder will contain notes from me, reminders, homework, etc. I ask that you check your child’s folder DAILY and take out all important information, then return it the next day. Take time to discuss the items in your child’s folder. I recommend looking through the folder together each day at home. If something is incomplete, please make sure your child finishes it and returns it to school the next day.
Birthdays
Birthday treats may be dropped off in the front office and will be distributed during lunch. There are 20 students in our class.
Homework
Homework sheets will be sent home on Monday each week. They will be placed in the front sleeve of the green take home folder. Homework is required in first grade. Homework will generally be assigned Monday through Friday. Please go over your child’s homework with him/her, but make sure he/she is doing the actual work. The homework needs to be done in pencil, no pen. Please make sure your child’s name is always on his/her homework.
Scholastic Book Orders
I try to send home book orders every month. With each book order our class earns free books for our classroom library. The due date for each book order will be stamped or written on each form. Please send a check made out to Scholastic Books, NO CASH. Please also remember to write your name on the order and return it to school by the due date.
Illness
If your child is ill please keep him/her at home until they are feeling better. Many times children hate missing class and want to go see their friends. I will be happy to send things home with a sibling, friend, or you may come pick up homework at the front desk if you like. Please write a note/call the office to excuse an absence. Students may not transport any type medication (including cough drops and chapstick) to school. Please be sure to complete and return the pink, green, and white card to school immediately so you can be reached if needed. (Be sure to update the cards during the year as needed.)
Classroom Donations
We are asking for a voluntary $10.00 classroom donation that will be used for our Scholastic News magazines as well as other classroom supplies. Budget cuts are preventing some of these things from being covered.
Show and Tell
Is a wonderful opportunity for your child to share something with the class that is special. Please help them think of three clues to tell about their object so we can guess what it is. You do not have to write these down. I will send home a bag when it is your child's day.
See you Thursday night!
Mrs. Carter’s First Grade Handbook
Clothing
First graders are involved in active learning. Despite our reasonable precautions your child may get dirty. Clothing should be comfortable and manageable. Your child should be able to use the bathroom and zip, snap, fasten, and tie clothing without assistance. If he/she wears tie shoes, please be working on tying skills.
Getting Ready
Be sure your child has the energy he/she needs by getting plenty of rest and starting his/her day with a good breakfast. School begins at 8:35 each day. Please do not send your child before 8:15 am. Dismissal is at 3:00 pm every day except Wednesday when it is 2:00pm. Please be on time to drop off and pick up your child.
Bathroom
Please work on independent skills. Children are permitted to use the bathroom at any time of the day. They are asked to use the bathroom before P.A.M. (P.E., Art, Music) and lunch. Please work on hand washing skills as this will help the germs from spreading.
Lunch
Our lunch time begins at 10:50 and lasts for 30 minutes. Please pack a nutritious lunch that you think your child will eat. (Candy and sodas should not be included.) Practice opening lunch box, food containers and a thermos at home. Be sure your child’s name is on all parts of his/her lunch box. The lunch menu is posted at SCPS website (www.scps.k12.fl.us). Your child will have his/her own lunch number which you should help him/her memorize as soon as possible. Each time your child makes a purchase, the cost will be deducted from the account balance. Please discuss with your child what he/she may buy: ice cream, cookies, chips, etc. Please discuss appropriate table manners with your child and encourage the same table manners that you expect at home. If you would like to come and have lunch with your child, please sign in at the front office and get a visitor’s name tag.
Transportation
One of the most important times of the day is dismissal. It is of utmost importance that your child arrives home safely every day. Please make sure he/she is aware of how they will go home. Under no circumstances will a child be sent home because he/she says they are going home by a different mode of transportation. I must have a written note or a phone call to myself or the front office stating if a child will be having a change of transportation. Please do not just leave a message on my voicemail with a transportation change, make sure you speak to me or the front office.
Dismissal
First graders are escorted to their designated dismissal areas a few minutes before the rest of the school is dismissed. Do not tell older siblings to come to get your child at dismissal time. Older siblings and/or parents should meet the first grader at his/her dismissal area.
Classroom Access
For the safety of all our children, all campus visitors are required to have a Visitor’s sticker (attained in Front Office) every time they are on campus. You must be a registered Dividend to assist in the classroom/go on field trips. If you signed up last year, you must sign up again this year. You may not volunteer in the classroom or go on field trips if you are not registered. This includes any family member who may be interested in volunteering at school.
Media Center
We will visit the media center weekly. In a few weeks your child will be bringing home the books he/she has checked out. Please remember to return the media book on or before the next media day. Our media day will be announced in the near future.
Accelerated Reading Program (AR)
First graders will begin participating in the AR program. Some of your children may have participated in kindergarten last year. We have many AR books in the classroom that the students may read during the day. They may also check out AR books from the media center. If you have a Seminole County library card, the Wekiva branch has a list of the books that Sabal Point students can take tests on. Your child will be able to take tests on a regular basis. He/she signs up in the classroom when they have completed reading a book. They may take as many tests as our schedule allots each day. Please encourage your child to read each book thoroughly as each test asks for specific details. Tests are taken on computers in the classroom as well as the media center. This is an outstanding program as it helps to strengthen comprehension, word recognition, fluency, etc.
Daily Take Home Folder
Your child has been given a green folder that is to come to school with him/her daily. The folder will contain notes from me, reminders, homework, etc. I ask that you check your child’s folder DAILY and take out all important information, then return it the next day. Take time to discuss the items in your child’s folder. I recommend looking through the folder together each day at home. If something is incomplete, please make sure your child finishes it and returns it to school the next day.
Birthdays
Birthday treats may be dropped off in the front office and will be distributed during lunch. There are 20 students in our class.
Homework
Homework sheets will be sent home on Monday each week. They will be placed in the front sleeve of the green take home folder. Homework is required in first grade. Homework will generally be assigned Monday through Friday. Please go over your child’s homework with him/her, but make sure he/she is doing the actual work. The homework needs to be done in pencil, no pen. Please make sure your child’s name is always on his/her homework.
Scholastic Book Orders
I try to send home book orders every month. With each book order our class earns free books for our classroom library. The due date for each book order will be stamped or written on each form. Please send a check made out to Scholastic Books, NO CASH. Please also remember to write your name on the order and return it to school by the due date.
Illness
If your child is ill please keep him/her at home until they are feeling better. Many times children hate missing class and want to go see their friends. I will be happy to send things home with a sibling, friend, or you may come pick up homework at the front desk if you like. Please write a note/call the office to excuse an absence. Students may not transport any type medication (including cough drops and chapstick) to school. Please be sure to complete and return the pink, green, and white card to school immediately so you can be reached if needed. (Be sure to update the cards during the year as needed.)
Classroom Donations
We are asking for a voluntary $10.00 classroom donation that will be used for our Scholastic News magazines as well as other classroom supplies. Budget cuts are preventing some of these things from being covered.
Show and Tell
Is a wonderful opportunity for your child to share something with the class that is special. Please help them think of three clues to tell about their object so we can guess what it is. You do not have to write these down. I will send home a bag when it is your child's day.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Week #2
It is time to take off into our 1st grade curriculum! We had so much fun getting to know one another, the class routine, and all about our class community. We will begin working on our classroom community in regards to learning this week. This will solidify our routine and classroom expectations. 1st grade is a great place to be!
You will notice on the right hand side of the blog I have created a spot for homework and what we are doing in the classroom. I update this weekly. If your child happens to forget their folder, please refer to this blog and save it as a favorite.
Thank you so much for your support and making the start of 2011-2012 school year such a success!
You will notice on the right hand side of the blog I have created a spot for homework and what we are doing in the classroom. I update this weekly. If your child happens to forget their folder, please refer to this blog and save it as a favorite.
Thank you so much for your support and making the start of 2011-2012 school year such a success!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Here's the teacher!
Hi, My name is Mrs. Carter.
I am married to Mr. Carter
and we have three children; Jacob14, Jayda13, and Jay3. Jacob and Jayda have been earning volunteer hours in my classroom.
I was born in California and raised in Reynoldsville, PA. I attended Gannon University on a volleyball scholarship division 2. We were 5th in the nation all 4 years I attended. We traveled the country and made many trips to Florida. It was during these trips that I fell in love with Fl. I started at Winter Springs Elementary in August 1993 and then began in 2001 at Sabal Point. I have been teaching since 1993 with a few years of maternity leave in there! I have spent MANY years in Kindergarten, a few in 2nd, and this is my third year in 1st grade. I really enjoy this grade level.
I enjoy fishing,
boating,
reading on my Nookcolor,
spending time with my children,
starbucks grande soy skinny vanilla latte,
and paper painting.
the beach, and shopping.
My gift is teaching. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I decided in 2nd grade.
I believe I come by it honestly as my mother was quite possibly one of the best teachers I ever had the pleasure of having in high school. She was a health and PE teacher. I do believe my daughter Jayda may follow in my foot steps. I look forward to a very fun year with your children!
I am married to Mr. Carter
and we have three children; Jacob14, Jayda13, and Jay3. Jacob and Jayda have been earning volunteer hours in my classroom.
I was born in California and raised in Reynoldsville, PA. I attended Gannon University on a volleyball scholarship division 2. We were 5th in the nation all 4 years I attended. We traveled the country and made many trips to Florida. It was during these trips that I fell in love with Fl. I started at Winter Springs Elementary in August 1993 and then began in 2001 at Sabal Point. I have been teaching since 1993 with a few years of maternity leave in there! I have spent MANY years in Kindergarten, a few in 2nd, and this is my third year in 1st grade. I really enjoy this grade level.
I enjoy fishing,
( This was my biggest fish ever. A goliath grouper in Marco Island. It weighed over 150lbs.)
(This is my most exciting catch. A mutton snapper on the reefs of Marathon in the Keys.
We were going for Yellowtail snapper and I coaxed this one out!)
(Mr. Carter driving our boat in Key Colony)
making precious stone jewelery,
reading on my Nookcolor,
(I told them to look fierce...
I made angry bird water balloons and we had a water balloon fight this summer!)
Free hand embroidery,
and paper painting.
( I paint papers and use found papers to create the painting...in my spare time. LOL )
I also enjoy scrapbooking,
the beach, and shopping.
My gift is teaching. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I decided in 2nd grade.
I believe I come by it honestly as my mother was quite possibly one of the best teachers I ever had the pleasure of having in high school. She was a health and PE teacher. I do believe my daughter Jayda may follow in my foot steps. I look forward to a very fun year with your children!
Here's our classroom!
I will be sending out permission slips for you to look over in regards to allowing pictures of your students on the blog. I will not post last names or school where they go. Enjoy!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Back to School Time!
Welcome back to school!
I am so excited about getting our classroom ready! It is much the same and very much different at the same time! I am using a travel theme in the classroom, along with my favorite owls lurking about the room.
I will post pictures as I get my class up and running this coming week!
A really exciting scavenger hunt will start off the year just right when you come to see me!
I am looking forward to meeting each of my new students very soon!
I am so excited about getting our classroom ready! It is much the same and very much different at the same time! I am using a travel theme in the classroom, along with my favorite owls lurking about the room.
I will post pictures as I get my class up and running this coming week!
Meet the Teacher / Open House
Friday, August 12, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
****All Grades****
Come and meet your child's teacher(s) for the 2011-2012 school year!!
A really exciting scavenger hunt will start off the year just right when you come to see me!
I am looking forward to meeting each of my new students very soon!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Happy 4th of July!
Hope everyone is having a relaxing and wonderful 4th of July!
Enjoy the video below and try and make your own! Send me the link in the comments section below PLEASE I would love to see what you create!!!
GoAnimate.com: School's out for summer! by jessicamae3
Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!
Enjoy the video below and try and make your own! Send me the link in the comments section below PLEASE I would love to see what you create!!!
GoAnimate.com: School's out for summer! by jessicamae3
Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Just a quick summer update:
Looking for something to read to/with your child? Why not pick up Mr. Popper's Penguins?
This is a novel that our school will be reading as a whole. Many fun plans are in store for this novel 2011-2012!
Looking for something to read to/with your child? Why not pick up Mr. Popper's Penguins?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The end is here...but it is just the beginning!
The end of an amazing year has come and gone. We are now into our summer vacation. Bigger, stronger, smarter, and oh so ready for second grade! I am so proud of these students! Second grade does not know how lucky they are to be receiving your children!
Below are scads of photos that I never got around to uploading. Feel free to download them for yourselves!
N is for New Names:
O is for Outside: We were sharing. The question was, "Can we please go back inside and read now?" Um, let me think abou tit..."YES!!!" :o)
It appears these types of notes HAVE NEVER GONE OUT OF STYLE!!! :O)
P is for Picnic Lunch:
This is Mrs. Zarynski, AKA Mrs. Z. She came in every Wednesday morning to listen to us read...because she loves children...and knew no one in the class prior...and is a retired first grade teacher herself...and is AMAZING...and is set to work in my class next year too! YAY for me...and my future students!!!!
Listening to reading and reading to someone. Love how natural this time became by the end of the year!
Reading the big books.
Writing about Reading, AKA making their own books!
Sharing their books.
Love this one by a student, who took it home to finish. Yeah, I did not assign that...but they did it all the time!
May 25, 2011 3,100 books read aloud!
What a way to welcome the summer...a broken arm for one little girl!
X is for eXchange Autographs.
End of Year Party:
Bubbles
Cupcakes
Balls and Hula Hoops
2nd MOST AR points in 1st grade!
My heart makes room for 18 more children I will carry in my heart forever! I wish you all the best. Come back and see me after you meet your NEW teacher in August!
Below are scads of photos that I never got around to uploading. Feel free to download them for yourselves!
N is for New Names:
Bubbles
