Here are some things to know about our First Grade
General Information
Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions and/or concerns during the school year please feel free to stop in, call or email me at school. The best times to call at school are from 8:00 to 8:15 or from 3:15 to 3:45. The phone number is 643-6681. My email address is:
feddersonr@breckenridge.k12.mn.us
=============================================
Mrs. Fedderson's First Grade Supplies
48 yellow pencils
4 Large Erasers
Box of 10 regular color Markers
10 pencil top erasers
2 Large Boxes of Kleenex to share
Book Bag
3 Boxes of CRAYOLA Color Crayons (24 count) Crayola brand is recommended because the others break easily)
12 large Glue sticks (leave in package)
Fiskar Scissors
13 pocket folders (3-Yellow, 8- Red (3 prong) , 8- Blue)
1 box of graham crackers
Pencil Sharpener
Tennis Shoes for P.E.
pencil box
1 pencil pouch with holes to put in folder
More school information is available on the school’s website at:
www.breckenridge.k12.mn.us
Homework
First graders should spend about 10 - 20 minutes each night on homework. The homework they have will be practicing reading and math flashcards and reading books. In October they will also have spelling words to practice. No more than 30 minutes should be spent on this as we believe kids need time to be kids too. If your child truly enjoys reading we do not discourge extra time spent reading books.
Reading Tips
Reading Strategies “Rules”
***Golden Rule***Always remember to point to your words as you read. This helps your brain focus on that one word and not everything else on the page.
1. Sound out the word
*When your child is stuck a word with a long or short vowel sound, give them clues to help them sound it out. Ask them “How many vowels are in the word?” “What is the rule for that many vowels?” They should know now that the rule is, if there are two vowels the first vowel is long and the second one is silent. If there is one vowel it is usually a short vowel sound.
Another clue to give: “If two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.”
2. Look for smaller words in the bigger words.
3. Take off the endings and look at just the base word.
4. Use the pictures to help.
5. Break the word down and give clues- like “that “i-r” in that word is the same sound as in girl.” or “that “a-u” makes the same sound as in saucer.” or “that o-u” in that word makes the same sound in house” and so on.
6. Tell them a word it rhymes with.
7. “ch” sound is like a choo choo train
“sh” sound is like asking for quiet
“th” sound is the only one you can stick out your tongue to make
“wh” sound is the big whale
8. If it is a word they saw on a previous page- flip back to that page and say these are the same words.
9. Just skip over the word and read the rest of the sentence or page- then try to figure out what word might make sense with the letters in that word. They could even come up with a word that is not right, but would make sense in the sentence.
10. If they just can’t figure it out, you may tell them the word, but then at the end of the page and book, go back to that word and ask them what it is.
If there are too many words they don’t know they may either be getting tired of trying and you should take a break or the book may too hard for them.
Other important Tips for Reading
*Read everyday to your child
*Snuggle when you read
*Point to the words as you read
*Read and reread stories that are your favorite
*Make predictions (What do you think will happen. . .)
*Enjoy the illustrations
*Check out the public library
*Be patient, try to remember all the things children must learn things that we take for granted
*By reading to, as well as with your child, you instill the value of reading and the power of knowledge needed to succeed in life! Let them see you reading for fun too.
Before you know it . . .
Now That I Can Read
by Ruth Etkin
I used to need somebody
To sit and read to me.
I’d look at every page they read
And listen carefully.
But, now that I’m in the first grade,
I’m filling up a shelf
With stories, poems, and other books
That I can read myself.
Snack Break
A snack calendar will be sent home with your child at the beginning of each month. Preferred afternoon snacks are listed below or any other store bought healthy snacks. Please do not send snack cakes, cookies, donuts, cupcakes, chips or candies for snack. The only exception to that rule is when it is your child’s birthday, then they may bring a snack of their choice. The State of Minnesota strongly encourages store bought items for health reasons.
It is important to give our children healthy snacks. Here are some good, healthy snack ideas you can bring on your snack day! You may wish to take advantage of the School's snack program. Look for the order form on the back of your child's monthly snack calendar or simply call Steph Beyer (Food Service Director) at 643-6681 for more information.
Fresh fruit (apples, bananas, and grapes are favorites)
Baby Carrots and/or celery plain or with Low Fat Ranch Dressing or peanut butter
Snack Pack fruits, puddings and Jello
Fruit snacks and Roll-ups
Granola bars, Kudo Bars, Raisins,
Packages of Sunflower seed nuts or Soynuts
Whole grain Snack crackers, Animal crackers, or Graham crackers
String cheese, Yogurt, Go Gurt
Bagged Dry cereal such as Honey Nut Cheerios, Shredded Wheat, Froot Loops ect.
Kelloggs Rice Krispy Bar Treats
94% Fat Free Microwave or air popped popcorn
100 calorie packs of snack options
Don't forget to send spoons or spreading utinsels, plates or napkins with your snack if needed.
Please do not send snack cakes, cookies, donuts, cupcakes, chips or candies for snack unless it is for your special birthday treat, or holiday parties. Thank you for your cooperation.
Notes
Please send a note with your child if they will not be going to their regular place or bus after school. If your child is sick please call the office and let them know. When you come in to get your child, please stop in the office and sign them out. This avoids a lot of confusion for your child, myself, and yourself.
Folders
Your child brought three different colors of folders, red, yellow and blue. The yellow folder will remain in your child’s desk for papers that we will continue working on. The red folder is the Home Folder. This folder will be sent back and forth daily. Please go over the papers in your child’s red folder daily. If you have any notes, lunch money, book orders ect. you may send those in the pencil pouch in your child’s red folder. The blue folder is the Reading folder. This will be used for backpack reading books and, when your child is ready, it will be used for Accelerated Reading. Reading calendars and reports should be kept in the folder. This folder should also be sent back and forth daily.
Volunteering and Visiting
Please feel free to come anytime and visit our classroom. You are welcome anytime of the day. It may be helpful to let me know in advance so we can make sure we will be around at that time of day. We also welcome volunteers at any time since parental involvement in a child’s education is very important! Just give me a call when you would like to volunteer, I can always use an extra set of hands or ears! You are even welcome to join them for lunch. Just purchase a meal ticket in the office for that day. Please use the front doors when you enter the building. The side doors are locked. Please sign in at the office before entering the classroom.
