Dear Parents:
Hello! My name is Jen Carter and I will be your child’s teacher this year. Before the year gets under way, I’m taking this opportunity to let you know how happy I am that your child will be in my class. I have been at Walsh School since 1998 and am looking forward to another exciting and rewarding school year. I am dedicated to making this a busy, productive, and terrific year for all of my students and will be communicating with you often about my classroom plans, your child’s progress, school events, and other activities as they arise. Adjusting to first grade can be a struggle for both parents and students. First grade brings more responsibilities, different routines, a new teacher, and new friends. Your child will be very busy this school year. You will be astonished by your child’s growth throughout the school year! I’d like to briefly inform you about some concepts we will cover in first grade. Our phonics program is a continuation of the kindergarten series entitled “Fundations.” “Fundations” is a highly structured and intensive approach to decoding, reading, and spelling. “Fundations” teaches the foundational skills of the Common Core Standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening and language. Students are introduced to phonics rules, vocabulary, and trick words. This can be very overwhelming for parents. A “cheat sheet” will be sent home at the beginning of each unit. We will be using School Wide for Reading. I will also be meeting in small groups with children for guided reading. We will be doing two School Wide units for Writing this year which is new for us. We will also be doing some narrative, opinion, and informational writing. Both our reading and writing is rigorous and is aligned with the Common Core Standards. Our math series is called “Bridges.” In addition, students participate in math stations, fluency activities, and guided math practice. With the little remaining time left in the day, students will also have science and social studies. I am looking forward to sharing this year with you and your child!! Always feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions. Sincerely, Mrs. Carter Disclaimer: Some web pages may provide links to other Internet pages created and maintained by other organizations. Links are only for the convenience of website users and we are not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor do we endorse or guarantee the services or information offered at these sites. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to supervise their children while using the Internet.
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