Sunday, November 20, 2016

Just remember....
Parent Teacher Conferences are Monday, November 21st and Tuesday, November 22nd from 11:45-3:30
Early Release @11 am


Sunday, November 13, 2016

Don't forget, your child's Turkey in Disguise assignment is due tomorrow. I can't wait to see all of the creativity!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Dear Families,
I apologize that this week's Harris Happenings Newsletter was a day late. I was experiencing "technical difficulties" yesterday and couldn't get it to print. I hope your child had an amazing Halloween!

-Mrs. Harris

Harris Happenings
Week of October 31st


Happy November!! STEM day was amazing! First grade had a wonderful time doing activities centered around the stories The Three Little Pigs, Gingerbread Baby, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff!

School and Classroom Procedures:
Students have been using the behavior clip system. It is working well to reinforce rules and expectations in our classroom. Students are expected to be truthful when filling out their color sheets at the end of the day. Please initial the sheets each day so I know you have seen them. Return them to school on Monday because I do collect them. We have earned 18 out of 20 frogs for our classroom behavior system. When we receive 20 frogs, the students will vote on what type of reward they want. Keep it up…we’re almost there!

Math: This week we will continue to learn about Addition Strategies. We are still using the Counting On strategy. Also this week, we will be looking at Commutative Property of Addition and solving expressions to see if they are equal. If they are unequal, we will be changing one expression to make both equivalent.

Listening & Learning: We will finish learning about the Human Body this week. I will be reading to the class the book Whose Tracks Are These?  by Jim Nail, which is the selected book for the Kid’s Book Fest this year. This book is a great lead way into our Animals and Habitats Unit, which we will also be starting this week.

Skills Reading: Your child should be practicing the skills and stories brought home in his/her Reading Folder.

Intervention: Intervention (R.T.I) has started off smoothly. We re-evaluate each student’s progress every 10 weeks and will make changes to students programs as necessary.

Writer’s Workshop: Writer’s Workshop is going well. Last week, we had our first Writing Celebration, where students were able to edit and revise a piece of writing they selected and share it with the class. They were even given a sweet treat to celebrate! We are now working on planning our stories (using a graphic organizer), planning our sentences (by counting the words), and working with a partner (partner feedback and introduction to a grading rubric).

Important Dates:
Monday, October 31st-Happy Halloween. Class party! Halloween Parade at 2:20
Wednesday, November 2nd-Early Release @1:30
Friday, November 11th-No School Veteran’s Day
Monday, November 21st and Tuesday, November 22nd-Early Release @ 11
Parent Teacher Conferences 11:45-3:50
Wednesday, November 23rd-Friday, November 25th-No School Thanksgiving Break

If you haven’t already signed up for a Parent Teacher Conference, please do so. There is a link to sign-up online on the school website. Thanks!

Don’t forget to check out my blog at 1stgraderoom8@blogspot.com or sign up for the Remind App on your computer or cell phone. I post reminders and other classroom news periodically. Here’s to another great week of school in Room 8! Feel free to contact me mharris@candorcs.org any time with questions or concerns.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Don't forget to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences. You can go to this website and find my class to see available times. 
https://signup.com/group/360256100108?utm_source=group-badge-volunteer-green

Also, Monday is Library and the Halloween Parade (2:20). Don't forget your child's costume and goodies for our party. 

Have a great weekend!

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Don't forget! Picture Day is tomorrow! If you have a Lifetouch form, please send it with your child in his/her G.O. Book! I can't wait to see all the amazing smiles!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Don't forget! Open House is tomorrow from 6-7:30. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

Monday, October 3, 2016

Harris Happenings
Week of October 3rd

I can’t believe it’s October already! Happy Fall!

School and Classroom Procedures:
This week, we will be implementing a clip chart individual behavior system. More information will be coming on Tuesday.  Students in Room 8 have done an excellent job practicing our fire drill and lockdown drill procedures.

Math: This week we will continue to learn about Addition Strategies. We will be working with addition word problems. We also practice counting in Morning Meeting. Please have your child practice counting by 1’s and 10’s to 120. We also practice counting by 5’s, counting by 2’s and counting backwards from 20. I hope the Homework Helpers papers will help you to better understand the Common Core Math practices that your child is learning in school.

Listening & Learning: We continue to learn about the Human Body. Your child has learned about the Skeletal, Muscular, Digestive, Circulatory, and Nervous systems. We will be starting a poster project this week!

Skills Reading: We will continue to switch classes for Skills Reading. Your child will be coming home with a Reading Folder very soon with more details on daily reading practice and skills.

Intervention: We will begin Intervention (R.T.I.) this week. Students may receive Guided Reading, AIS Math or AIS Reading during this time.

Writer’s Workshop: Students have really enjoyed the beginning of Writer’s Workshop. We have been learning about Spelling Strategies (stretching our sounds, using the Word Wall, using an Alphabet Chart, using word patterns). This week, we will be learning how to edit our writing pieces.

Important Dates:
Wednesday, October 5th is Early Release Day at 1:30. We do not have snack on E.R. Days.
Monday, October 10th is Columbus Day. We have no school.

Reminders:
I keep seeing a lot of toys making their way in students’ backpacks. PLEASE do not allow your child to bring toys to school. This includes stuffed animals, sports equipment, dolls, trinkets, etc. I will begin taking toys if I see them. We will have days when we will share and bring things from home, but unless specified, they aren’t permitted. It is very important that this expectation is followed because students will feel very sad if their toys are taken away.

Please remember to check the snack calendar for your child’s snack day. We have had several students forget and were unable to have snack that day. Donations of extra snack are always appreciated in case a child forgets.


Don’t forget to check out my blog at 1stgraderoom8@blogspot.com. I post reminders and other classroom news periodically. Here’s to another great week of school in Room 8! Feel free to contact me mharris@candorcs.org any time with questions or concerns.
We have library tomorrow!!!

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Don't forget!!! We have Library on Monday. Make sure your child brings his/her library book. Enjoy a nice, Fall weekend!

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Woohoo! We all had a wonderful first week in Room 8. Thank you so much for sharing your child with me. I can't wait to get to know him/her more in the weeks to come. Just a reminder, if you haven't already, please return all of the forms sent home with your child on the first day of school. Thank you for all of the wonderful letters about your child. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them and now have a better insight into your little guy or gal. Here's to a great 2nd week! 

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Here is a copy of my introduction letter (sent out this week).

                                                                                                            August 2016

Dear First Grade Families,
           
            I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Mrs. Mary Harris and I am honored to be your child’s First Grade teacher for the 2016-2017 school year at Candor Elementary. Just a few tidbits of information about myself to help you get to know me better:  This is my 11th year teaching First Grade and I LOVE working with this age group! “Firsties” grow so much throughout the school year! I have been married to my husband, Chad, for 11 years. He is a software engineer. We have two sons. Elijah is 9 years old and entering 4th grade. Levi is 5 years old and will be attending Kindergarten in the Fall. I enjoy spending time with my family, singing, reading, playing tennis, and I LOVE frogs! I am looking forward to working with you and your child in reaching his or her full potential. We will have many wonderful experiences and opportunities to learn and grow in Room 8!
           
A Few of My Favorite Things:
Color: Purple
Season: Fall
Food: Spaghetti
Drink(s):  Peach & Raspberry Ice Tea/Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Song: Happiness by Pharrell Williams
Children’s Book: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Author: Julie Klassen
Sports Team: Tennessee Volunteers football

            I believe that communication is the key to a great parent-teacher relationship. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. Email is my preferred method of contact (mharris@candorcs.org). You can also send me a note or call me at the school (659-3935). I also have a blog that I’m super excited about. You can find my blog on the school’s website, under Teacher Websites. You can also go to 1stgraderoom8.blogspot.com. You will be able to find important notices and information there. I will also send out a weekly newsletter to inform you of what is going on in the classroom, reminders, important dates, etc. For individual concerns, I will contact you by note, phone, or email. Please feel free to participate in your child’s First Grade year as much as possible. Parent volunteers are always welcome. I will be sending home more information about volunteering in November.
           
            Each day, your child will bring home a G.O. Book (Getting Organized binder). Included in the binder will be two folders with two pockets.  It is imperative that you check these folders EVERY day! The first pocket will be labeled Parent/Teacher Communication. In this folder will be any correspondence directly from me. You can also put any notes to me in there. The second pocket will be labeled Important Papers. This might include letters and forms from the office
and community happenings. The third pocket will be labeled Return to School. Items in this folder might include homework that needs completion or forms I might want returned. The fourth folder will be labeled Keep at Home. Please keep these items at home. Also in the G.O. Book will be a zipper pouch where money can be placed for safe keeping (lunch money, book order money, picture money, etc.). The G.O. Book will also contain a lunch menu and snack calendar.

            Just like in Kindergarten, your child will have a designated snack day. Please make sure you bring in enough HEALTHY snack for the class (19 students-subject to change). Please do not send in sweet treats unless it is your child’s birthday. I also discourage you from bringing in fruit snacks, as they do not give the children enough energy. You do not need to include drinks with snack. We have a drinking fountain in the classroom. We are always in need of extra snacks, small plates, napkins and spoons in case a child forgets. If you are willing to help us out at any time, please let me know.

            On the first day of school, I will be sending home information on behavior,  specials schedule, homework policy and other information. Please make sure you look in your child’s G.O. Book! Included in this letter, you will also find a copy of our first snack calendar. Be aware that there might be a month when your child doesn’t have a snack day. Lastly, I have included a homework assignment for both you and your child. Please help him or her complete it, and return both assignments the first day of school. Thank you! Again, I am looking forward to a wonderful and exciting year with you and your child!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Harris






Welcome to Room 8! I am so excited for school to start soon! Please visit my blog to receive important updates and information.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Monday, May 30, 2016

Summer Learning

As summer approaches, I would like to let you know that I send home Summer Learning packets for anyone interested in keeping their child's mind fresh throughout the summer. They are optional and more information will be coming home soon with your child. I hope you all have enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Hello, Parents!
We do not have any chaperones for our Kopernik Field Trip from Room 8. Please reconsider spending this day with your child. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can make this happen.

Thanks,
Mrs. Harris

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Don't forget to wear red and white tomorrow to honor Dr. Seuss!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Don't forget that Wednesday, March 2nd is Early Release Day @1:30!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

I hope you all have been enjoying a few days off! Please remember that tomorrow is Day 3. Make sure your child is bringing sneakers to school EVERY day!  Also, please make sure your child is dressed for the weather (snow pants, heavy jacket, boots, gloves, and hat). Can't wait to see all of the kiddos tomorrow!

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Don't forget....January Scholastic Book Orders are due tomorrow! You can order online or send in a check!  These orders allow us to build a better classroom library! Thanks for all those who are able to participate. The students in Room 8 appreciate it a lot!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Students in Room 8 have earned 20 frogs! Way to go!  They chose to have a special Show and Tell day tomorrow. Please have them bring in something special to share. It must be able to fit in their book bags or a plastic bag.  A note will go home today in their G.O.Books as a reminder. 

Thanks!
Mrs. Harris